On the dance floor of González y González, an iconic club in Greenwich Village, bodies move with the precision of those who have music in their blood. The scene evokes a vibrant past, when salsa turned New York into its global epicenter.
Now, a sample of Un Verano en Nueva York by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, featured in Bad Bunny’s NUEVAYOL, has reignited nostalgia for the golden era of this genre in the Big Apple.
The history of salsa in New York can’t be told without mentioning its sacred temples, some of which have disappeared over time. Others remain, standing as witnesses to an era that shaped the Latino identity in the city.
Located at Broadway and 53rd Street, the legendary Palladium Ballroom was where mambo reigned before salsa took over the scene. Icons like Tito Puente, Machito, and Celia Cruz lit up the dance floor with their unforgettable energy.
The Palladium also became a meeting spot for stars like Marlon Brando and Rita Moreno, cementing its place in the history of music and entertainment.
This mythical club didn’t just witness the birth of salsa—it inspired pop culture. Films like The Mambo Kings capture its essence, showing how its influence transcended generations.
The Palladium closed in 1966 and was replaced by a student residence, its legacy lives on in the music and in the memories of those who experienced it.
Since opening in 1940, Copacabana has been synonymous with glamour and Latin rhythm. This iconic club has welcomed legends like Frank Sinatra, The Supremes, and The Rolling Stones. On the big screen, movies like Goodfellas and Carlito’s Way have immortalized its electrifying atmosphere—without a doubt, a symbol of New York’s nightlife.
Legends like Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón transformed its stage into a temple of salsa, where performers ignited the rhythm and audiences became part of the music.
Alma, a Vacancy member, 26, and a Miami resident, fondly remembers her grandparents’ stories about the Copa, the iconic club where they met and fell in love:
“My grandparents arrived in New York from Puerto Rico in the ’60s, chasing dreams and a better life. The Copacabana was the place where the American dream truly came alive. “That’s where they met one night when he asked her to dance to ‘Quitate Tu’ by Fania All Stars. On that dance floor, between trumpets and timbales, their love story began. Every time I hear those songs, I feel like a part of their story still lives on in me.”
On August 24, 1973, Yankee Stadium became the epicenter of Latin music when the Fania All Stars—with legends like Willie Colón, Johnny Pacheco, and Rubén Blades—made history with a concert that catapulted salsa onto the global stage. It was a defining moment, where thousands of people danced to the clave rhythm, reaffirming that salsa was more than music—it was identity and culture.
Today, Latin music still thrives in New York’s most iconic venues, from clubs like SOB’s in Lower Manhattan to theaters like the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. And for Latinos, even the subway becomes a stage. In January, Bad Bunny, alongside Jimmy Fallon, put on an impromptu concert at Rockefeller Center Station, performing songs from his new album.
For those looking to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant Latin music scene, these are some must-visit spots:
🎵 González y González (Greenwich Village): A bar and restaurant with live salsa nights and an atmosphere that brings back the golden years of the genre.
🎵 SOB’s (Sounds of Brazil): One of the best venues for Latin and Afro-Latin rhythms, featuring both emerging and established artists.
🎵 Lehman Center for the Performing Arts (Bronx): A theater that continues to host major salsa concerts.
🎵 Copacabana (Times Square): A reinvented classic that keeps the tradition of Latin music alive in New York.
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