If you’re looking for a place to dance salsa on the Strip — or simply want to enjoy live Latin music with dinner and drinks — Viva! by Ray Garcia at Resorts World has a growing lineup of weekly events built around both.
The restaurant’s Thursday Latin Nights transform Viva!’s patio into a lively gathering spot where guests can dine, sip cocktails and hit the dance floor to live music. It’s an immersive experience that feels light-years removed from the Las Vegas Strip, just yards away.
“The idea is for people to come have drinks, dinner and dancing,” says Rodrigo Guzman, owner of Corazon Entertainment, which produces both the dance night and Viva!’s weekend Latin Party Brunches.
Speaking to the Food And Loathing podcast, Guzman said, “We’re trying to create a sound that can not only cater to Latin people, but could also cater to people from around the world that just want to come have a Latin experience–by making it modern and youthful and fun.”
The Thursday night events feature a five-piece band made up primarily of Cuban musicians, along with DJs who keep the music going between live sets. But Guzman says one of the biggest goals is making newcomers feel comfortable joining in.
To help with that, Viva! employs professional “taxi dancers,” who not only teach an introductory dance lesson early in the evening, but also circulate through the crowd encouraging guests to get up and dance.
“There’s a community of salsa dancers in Vegas that follow Latin events around town,” Guzman says. “A lot of the time it can be intimidating just sitting there. So we’re trying to have these key players that are going around the space and really bringing everybody in.”
The events run from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., making them accessible for guests who want a night out without committing to a late-night club experience. Guzman also notes that the gatherings are family-friendly and that locals can take advantage of free parking at Resorts World.
For those who prefer daytime celebrations, Viva! also offers Latin Party Brunches on Saturdays and Sundays.
“The party brunch still has live music elements, but we have more dance performances that are choreographed,” Guzman says. “It’s not so much a dance-forward event, but it’s definitely a drink and party and eat and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Whether you’re an experienced dancer or someone who just wants to learn a few steps, Viva! is aiming to create a welcoming place to experience Latin music, food and culture throughout the week.
You can hear Guzman’s interview on the May 29 episode of the Food and Loathing podcast.
