Salsa Fridays At Whittier Radison

I felt like Salsa Fridays at the Whittier Radisson deserved a space outside of the reviews for the main hotel. So...

First of all, I have to give serious props to the bartender in hotel bar (Al, maybe?). I was going to order a second drink and told the guy "just make me something that makes my breath smell better before I head out to dance". Having been the unfortunate recipient of the reverse, I do my best to ensure the other person doesn't faint when I ask them to dance. The bartender says "wait here" only to disappear for a few minutes. He comes back with a stick of gum. I don't know where he had to go to get it, but man that was pretty cool. Kind of embarrassing too, but I was still super grateful...

Salsa dancing by the pool at the Radison has been a tradition since who-knows-how-long. Some of the folks I talked to told me they had been going there for over a decade. And I'm not saying those same folks are old, but I'm pretty sure they were around when mambo was invented. As for me, I just love it because it's one of the few salsa spots that start early (6:30 pm). I hate having to wait until 9:00 pm to start...

Here's the key details:

- Summer only. $5 entrance (used to be free).
-  Super family-friendly venue, which means you get everyone from 1 to 100 years old out there. I'm not kidding about the 100 year old either.*
- Pool in the middle with a larger dance floor in front of dj and band and a smaller one closer to the entrance.
- Band plays and dj plays at intermission. A variety of latin music, but only one bachata song between the two times I've visited :-(
- After (I think) 9:30 pm, the party moves to a large room inside. I've had to leave early both times I was there.
- Tip: Avoid the drink line outside. Order at the bar inside the hotel. He'll pour it in a plastic cup so you can take it outside. Happy hour on well drinks and american drafts.
- For me, at least, it is just as easy not to use the dance floor, which fills up pretty quickly. For this ladies and gentlemen, you might consider non-dance shoes and just go with what is most confortable.
- Taco guy!
- Free parking.

One thing I have to admit is kind of annoying is when the host gets up there and, in addition to welcoming everyone, goes into this long lecture about how people shouldn't be promoting other places and to report them if they do. Chill out dude - you've been doing this a long time. I think you're safe...

Good time. I'll be back...

* With regards to the old guys, if I can still move like that when I'm 80, I know that I've lived a good life...