Dance Base

I’ve been attending classes at Dancebase for quite a few years and it’s a great space. All of the studios are light and airy with good heating and air conditioning, although some days they have both on. You also can book the space for private rehearsals if they aren’t being used for a class.
The changing facilities can be a bit small, especially if more than one class finishes at the same time but generally there is space. There are lockers (that need £1 deposit) and good showers if you are heading onwards after class.
I love that they have a try before you buy policy so you can drop in for free for the first two sessions of a term to see if you want to do the class and if not then swap to something else. Another great thing about taking classes here is that you get 10% off at nearby Hula for post dance juice/​cake.

I love having such a quality dance studio so close to my home!
Gorgeous space, with fully kitted out studios — it’s way bigger than it looks… There is a huge variety of classes on offer, for pretty much every dancer under the sun. I frequent the jazz and hip hop classes which are great fun — people of all different levels just giving it welly!
I would say its also amazing value for the quality of the classes and the venue — whether you’re doing a course or a drop in. Comparing it to some exercise venues in Edinburgh that can charge upwards of £10 per hour (!!), a £6.50 drop in is an absolute steal.
Get your butt to a class, have a blast and, when in doubt, pretend you’re Beyonce. Works for me.

Based on the fact that I spent the better half of the weekend not being able to move, let alone walk up and downstairs (seriously… if someone could bring me the glass of wine I left downstairs, that would be helpful… my legs hurt) — this is my new favourite place to get my butt kicked.
It’s only been a few classes, but I can see myself becoming a fast regular here. For one, it is an excellent way to lazt ninja yourself into shape. Why? Because they have online enrollment for both courses and drop in classes. So when say, you’re hungover on New Years Day and deep in «resolution mode» and think to yourself, «you know what would be awesome? Signing up for three dance courses per week even though i’m super out of shape!» — you can peruse, book and pay right then and there.
Then the next week… you’re stuck being healthy.
Lazy ninja: GO!
But in all honesty, though my legs would speak otherwise, I’m really happy I did. So far, i’ve tackled a beginner’s burlesque class which is lower impact but HILARIOUS. It’s a great Tuesday evening pick me up and I giggled through my entire first class.
The other stand out was Alan’s Contemporary course. The man had us crawling around on the floor, linking unusual body parts to total strangers and playing fancy freeze tag and you know what? It was one of the better workouts i’ve had in awhile and I loved every strange and wonderful second. Bravo sir — a huge tip of the hat to you!
Plus, I was happy to see they dabble in pilates, aerials and circus classes as well, which will be my mission next term.
The facility is big, clean and lovely. The change rooms are a bit cramped, but they’re clean. The reception is efficient and cheerful. Seriously: what’s not to love about this place?!
Even though I can’t walk downstairs (RIP glass of wine), I think this will fast become one of my favourite places to frequent. Bonus points for being a handy distance from Hula and tasty juice.
Because: lazy ninja.

Loads of different dance activities you can do. I do think it is a little expensive but its ok

I’ve been taking beginners Cuban Salsa here since the beginning of September and, while not bad at all, I’m not very impressed. Let me get one thing clear though, that probably has more to do with the fact that I’m a rather experienced salsa-​dancer and signed up with a friend who *is* a beginner, than it does with the classes themselves.
For me personally, the classes are too slow, and too repetitive, we usually learn one new move a class, and in an hour-​long class, that is simply too little new information to keep me interested. I’m used to having to pick up new choreography quite quickly, and this is just the same steps over-​and-​over again for an hour. Having said that, both of my friends who are beginners, really seem to enjoy the class and are having fun. By the looks of the rest of the class, they really like it too.
So, Dance Base itself is actually a very solid school, and I’ll be taking more classes here next term. Just do make sure that you shop around the first few weeks of term to see which level you need to join in on, as a beginners class when you’re at the very least intermediate (I’ve done various styles of dance from the ripe-​old age of 5 onwards) is not a good idea. It’ll just get you frustrated. BUT I’m pretty sure that once you level-​up on the classes, it’ll be a very solid school.
More on this after December, as from January onward, I’ll be taking two classes a term here!

This is just a wee update to my last review, as previously whilst giving it 5 stars, I had also noted they didn’t have as many latin american or african-​inspired dance styles, focusing mainly on contemporary, ballet, pole, with only salsa and tango.
Since then I attended the Afro-​Cuban dance class and all I can say is yey!
The facilities are as they always were — still excellent. I feel so lucky to have such a fantastic school right in the heart of the Old Town. It really is quite big, with so many different studios, all very well equipped, light, good flooring, barrs and mirrors. The range of classes is fantastic.
They also recently did a summer performance with lots of different dance classes performing. I wish I’d heard about the Dirty Dancing one before it happened but alas, maybe next year!
I feel really lucky to have Dance Base in Edinburgh, and in such a great location too.

Dance base is fantastic for anyone who enjoys to dance. They have a wide range of classes of all styles and for all abilities and it’s a very welcoming and fun atmosphere. The classes can be slightly pricey but it’s worth it to be part of such fun classes.

I have just done a burlesque course of classes and cannot fault dancebase. It’s a gem in the grassmarket housing so many types of dance for all ages, stages and abilities. We’re talking adult ballet for beginners, showgirl classes and so many modern styles! The classes are really well priced as I got a whole term of burlesque for £75. You may think that expensive but for a dance class in the centre of Edinburgh that’s pretty good. You automatically become a member when you register for a course. The staff are generally really friendly and willing to help. Pick up a booklet or go on their wbsite and you’re guaranteed to find something that floats your boat! The studios are lovely and big with huge windows that can be opened should it get a little steamy! All studios have mirrored walls.

This place is beautiful, and the staff was super friendly with me (a confused American)! It deserves a 5 for the fact that it is an amazing facility, very clean, and one of the the only places I have danced that has decent locker rooms, changing facilities, etc. I am doing the second level belly dance here, and my first class was a lot of fun, the teacher was good, and she ran the class really well.
I do think that this place is too focused on western forms of dance, such as modern, contemporary dance in comparison with places I have dances before which have been more spread across the board. For me, ideally it should have more advanced levels in belly dance, and African, Latin dances, etc. However, I suspect that might be how the demand is for dance in this city, I am not sure yet!

From the outside Dance Base can be fairly intimidating. If you’ve never danced before or been too embarrassed to even try, looking down its long cavernous entrance can make you feel very small indeed.
The truth is however, that Dance Base exists for all, not just the professional dancers who have been performing since they were in nappies. I’m a (slightly) overweight 28 year old whose only experience of dance was getting drunk and thinking I was Justin Timberlake, before being swiftly escorted from the club, but taking a deep breath I decided to sign up for Street Dance classes because, well, I thought it looked cool and instead of saying that it’s something I’d love to be able to do but could never do, I wanted to give it a go.
I won’t lie to you, it wasn’t easy to walk through the doors the first time, I felt embarrassed, inadequate and basically like a plonker. But once I made it inside, I found the staff lovely. Everyone is very normal and more than willing to help you out.
The facilities are first class, large wide, glass roofed studios, a small café/​waiting area and changing rooms with showers etc.
The tuition is fantastic, they walk you through routines and you take it at your own pace. I’ve never attended a class and regretted it. I’ve come out feeling invigorated and above all, happy.
I’d recommend if you are thinking about wanting to dance, to just go on and do it. You won’t regret it.
And, if you are a single guy, this is an excellent place to meet girls. I’m the only guy in a class of about 30! But alas, I’m not single, so only there for the dance. Either way, you’ll have a lot of fun!
You can follow my dancing adventures at

I’ve taken a bunch of classes at Dance Base and loved everyone. I don’t tend to stick to any one thing, but for once have been drawn back time and time again. They cater to a range of abilities and backgrounds and I always find the staff and instructors encouraging and helpful. I have two left feet, but even they have learnt to move to music!

I really love Dance Base, its one of my all time favourite Edinburgh businesses.
Its a fantastic building, just below the castle. The facilities are great with various studios in different sizes and with different flooring. The changing facilities are adequate and the whole place just has a good feeling to it. The range of program’s offered is amazing. There is dance classes in every genre imaginable catered towards any level. You can book a whole term of classes in your chosen dance form or you can attend drop in classes. I tend to stick to drop in classes because I have an annoying habit of sleeping in and missing scheduled classes. So its best for me not to pay up front for something I might end up missing. But I think its great there is the option to book a term of classes if you want to be more committed.
They offer classes in everything from ballet to burlesque as well as classes aimed towards those with learning disabilities or the elderly. You can do cheer-​leading, highland dancing, even aerial skills! And the teachers are all really great at what they do. Visiting dance companies and choreographers often do workshops which are usually advertised on the website. There was a workshop recently teaching the choreography from Beyonce’s Single Ladies video. Who doesn’t want to learn that dance?!
I think its fantastic that Dance Base make dance accessible in so many forms to everyone, no matter what age or ability.

Dance base is a great resource. Located in the Grassmarket behind the castle. They have a very extensive programme of classes each term ranging from tap to ballroom, scottish, bollywood, bellydance, hiphop, ballet and many more. They do classes aimed at children and older dancers as well. Every December the classes put on joint performances.
The building itself is also very pleasant to be in, with lovely airy wooden floored studios. Some with windows on the roof so that on winter nights you can see the stars.
They also do a good range of exercise based classes like yoga and pilates.
The one down side is the changing rooms. These are too small for the numbers using them a lot of the time.

DanceBase is a relatively new set of studios set in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, which offers a fantastic range of dance classes aimed at all levels of ability. Of the four studios, studio 1, in particular, is an excellent venue for dancing (or lying back and relaxing in the sunshine through the glass ceiling during a pilates class!). The range of pay on the day classes, though sometimes really busy, give everyone the opportunity to try out something new. The teachers are always knowledgeable and approachable, as are the administrative staff. The annual Christmas show is always great fun and allows those of us who thought they’d left their dancing days behind them to get back up on stage and show off a wee bit!

I know dance base through their kids classes and am thoroughly impressed by them. They offer several toddlers classes a week in their extremely beautiful studios and my kids thoroughly enjoy each lesson. You can pay for the classes on a class by class basis which is useful when dealing with little ones. Not only do dance base offer these kids classes but also classes for every other demographic you can think of. From belly dancing to breakdancing, dancing to improve health young and old, beginner or professional they have it all. Easily accessed in grassmarket at the centre of town it has something for everyone.

Dance base is a gorgeous modern, custom built dance studio. There are a number of different studios with plenty of changing space and lockers. There’s a really wide range of classes from ballroom to burlesque and everything in between. during the festival there are often really good workshops on as well.

Dance Base plays host to a variety of dance classes throughout the week, at times to suit everyone. From traditional classes such as tap and ballet, to something a bit more exciting like African dance and flamenco. There are also classes in the art of burlesque and belly dancing for the really adventurous people out there!
I attended dance base for tap classes and found the experience really fun. The class teacher was very experienced and professional and the studios were always really clean and tidy. The biggest plus of attending my tap class (apart from learning a mean shuffle ball change!) was getting to perform in a dance show at George Square theatre. This was really exciting and a real incentive to learn the routines in class.
The price of classes is quite high compared to classes in community halls for example (It’s around £60 per term, with discount for students). However, if you can afford it, its definitly worth paying the extra for the superb tuition and lovely venue.