Dance lessons come in two broad kinds. Partner dances such as salsa, swing, ballroom, tango and country two-step are taught to pairs, while styles like hip-hop, tap, jazz and ballet are danced on your own. Most studios offer drop-in group classes, multi-week courses that build from one lesson to the next, and private lessons, handy for a couple getting ready for a wedding first dance. Community centers, colleges and some dance clubs run beginner classes too, often right before a social dance.

You don't need a partner, rhythm or experience to start. Beginner classes assume you know nothing, and in partner classes the teacher usually has everyone rotate partners every few minutes. That feels odd at first, but dancing with lots of different people is the fastest way to get better.

The Date Activity

A dance class puts the two of you on the same team against the same problem: getting the steps right. You'll laugh, step on each other's toes and stand a lot closer than you would at dinner. Salsa and swing are lively and forgiving for beginners, while waltz, rumba and tango are slower and more romantic. If you'd rather not swap partners, ask before you sign up; many studios let couples stay together.

A single drop-in class is a low-pressure first try, and a four- or six-week series gives you a standing weekly date with progress you can feel. Many studios and dance halls follow the lesson with an open social dance, which is the best part: you get to use your new moves right away. If you like learning something side by side, a cooking class or a night at the pottery wheel makes a good next date.

On Your Own / With Friends

Dance lessons make a great group outing for birthdays, bachelorette parties or friends who want to look good at an upcoming wedding. Many studios will run a private class for your group if you book ahead, and learning among friends takes the self-consciousness out of it, since everyone is equally lost at the start. If the group still wants an audience afterward, finish at karaoke.

Going alone is completely normal. In partner classes the rotation means everyone dances with everyone, and plenty of regulars at social dances started out solo. Some studios try to balance leads and follows, so mention which role you'd like to learn when you register.

Good to Know

Wear clothes you can move in and shoes that pivot easily. Smooth leather soles work better than sneakers with grippy rubber, which can stick to the floor and strain your knees, and sandals or flip-flops are a bad idea. Bring water, and a small towel for fast styles like salsa and swing. Partner dancing is close contact, so fresh breath and deodorant are good manners. Arrive a few minutes early to your first class, since the basic step is taught at the start. Many studios offer a free or discounted first lesson, and class packages usually cost less per lesson than drop-ins.