There’s a special kind of magic that happens when you take part in a local jam session, dance class, or open mic night while travelling. It’s more than entertainment—it’s a connection.
These low-cost, high-vibe experiences are open doors into a place’s soul. Whether you’re stepping into a rooftop salsa circle in Havana or baring your soul at a Berlin poetry night, the stage is open and the rhythm is waiting.
Buenos Aires – Argentina
Picture/Mi Belgrano
In Buenos Aires, tango isn’t just for tourists or theatre-goers—it’s a living, breathing tradition you’ll find in public squares and neighbourhood community centres. Head to La Glorieta de Belgrano, an open-air rotunda where locals dance under the stars every weekend. For a beginner-friendly intro, take a class at La Catedral Club, a bohemian hall with mismatched furniture and a relaxed vibe. It is believed that twenty- and thirty-somethings especially gravitate toward La Catedral, since it has a relaxed, bohemian vibe.
Berlin – Germany
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Berlin’s creative underbelly is perfect for solo travellers looking to express themselves. On Mondays, head to KussKuss Neukölln for “Isn’t It Poetry?”—a multilingual open mic night that attracts a diverse crowd. For more music-forward evenings, Kindl Stuben hosts acoustic nights where you can sign up for a 10-minute slot. Berlin’s vibe is supportive, not competitive. And if you’re into movement, experimental dance spaces like Dock 11 offer drop-in classes in improvisation, contact, and Butoh.
Ubud – Bali
Picture/Yoga Barn
In Ubud, the creative scene blends dance with spirituality. The Yoga Barn hosts twice-weekly ecstatic dance sessions—no talking, no phones, just bodies moving freely to global beats. It’s a beautiful mix of locals, travellers, and resident artists. For something more introspective, try a sound healing session or drum circle at Akasha New Earth Haven, a jungle community space that blends music, movement, and consciousness.
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Lisbon – Portugal
Picture/Portugal Magik
Lisbon hums with music, and visitors can experience it from both sides of the stage. In the historic district of Alfama, Tasca do Chico offers intimate Fado sessions where audience participation sometimes sneaks in. For dancers, Espaço Baião is a vibrant hub offering Forró and Samba de Gafieira classes across several venues, including Mercado de Culturas in Arroios, Casa do Brasil, Fábrica do Braço de Prata, and BUS Paragem Cultural. No experience is necessary—just follow the rhythm and let go.
New Orleans – USA
Picture/New Orleans
It’s almost impossible not to get swept up in the sound of New Orleans. On Frenchmen Street, spots like The Spotted Cat Music Club and Blue Nile host informal jam nights where local musicians and visitors riff together. For spoken word and comedy, Café Istanbul is a community hub where anyone can take the mic. Pack your instrument or a story—you never know when you’ll be called up.
Tokyo – Japan
Picture/Time Out
Tokyo’s creative pulse can be felt from the neon-lit karaoke booths to the shadowy stages of experimental performance art. Sing your heart out at Karaoke Kan, made famous by Lost in Translation, or slip into a tiny Golden Gai bar like Bar Champion for a more intimate crowd sing-along. For something truly offbeat, explore Butoh—Japan’s homegrown avant-garde dance form. Join a workshop with internationally acclaimed artist Emiko Agatsuma, whose classes in Tokyo welcome beginners and are often available in English. The Tokyo Real Underground (TRU) festival also stages edgy performances in unexpected venues across the city. For a more structured experience, Tomoe Shizune & Hakutobo offer Butoh workshops open to performers and curious travellers alike.
Havana – Cuba
Alexander Kunze/Unsplash
In Havana, music spills into the streets, and the rhythm is contagious. Rooftop bars like Casa de la Musica and community spaces like Callejón de Hamel host dance parties and percussion jams open to all. For a more guided experience, La Casa del Son offers daily salsa classes that get you ready to join the action. Don’t worry about getting the steps right—Cuban warmth makes up for any missteps.
Istanbul – Turkey
Picture/Travel Atelier
Art in Istanbul balances the ancient with the modern. Travellers can witness or take part in a Sufi whirling ceremony at the Galata Mevlevi Museum, which occasionally hosts intro sessions for visitors. In trendier parts of the city like Kadıköy, cultural spaces such as Arthere Istanbul host bilingual open mic nights that mix poetry, music, and activism. You’ll leave with your heart fuller and your ears ringing with insight.
Delhi – India
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In India’s buzzing capital, creativity spills from every corner. For dance, Delhi Dance Academy offers drop-in Bollywood and contemporary classes with no prior experience required. If you’re more of a wordsmith, keep an eye out for events by Kommune, a collective that organises spoken word and storytelling events across India, including Delhi. Their annual Spoken Fest celebrates poetry, storytelling, and spoken word performances, providing a platform for both seasoned and emerging artists. Many events are English-friendly and welcoming to visitors, especially if you have something heartfelt to share.
Nairobi – Kenya
Mustafa Omar/Unsplash
Nairobi’s creative scene is electric, youthful, and proud of its roots. The GoDown Arts Centre often hosts public dance workshops and live Afro-fusion jam sessions. For open mics, Poetry After Lunch (PAL) is a long-running local favourite that celebrates spoken word, rap, and acoustic sets in a relaxed café setting. Nairobi’s artistic community is open to travellers and often happy to collaborate.
Melbourne – Australia
Shaun Low/Unsplash
Melbourne’s creative energy flows through its laneways and live music venues. At Swing Patrol Melbourne, you can drop into a beginner-friendly swing dance class any night of the week. If you’d rather take the mic, The Fitzroy Pinnacle and for jazz enthusiasts, The Jazzlab in Brunswick offers nightly performances and jam sessions, continuing the legacy of the former Bennetts Lane Jazz Club. If you’re interested in storytelling and spoken word, Melbourne Poetry lists events and open mic nights across the city, providing platforms for both seasoned and emerging artists.
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