Schwing your partner

SWING  |  THE HUSTLE  |  BREAKIN’  |  TANGO  |  SALSA  |  BHANGRA

SWING
Dance Manhattan

THE CROWD
An advanced class was mostly women and largely over 30, with a few up there in their sixties. An intro-to-swing session a few weeks back saw a better ratio and more cuties in their twenties and thirties.

HOW AVAILABLE
Only a third were unattached. As Paulo, 30, said, “Part of my motivation was to meet people, part was to learn to dance.” Eileen, 38, said, “We’re more in it for friendship.” (Speak for yourself.)

HOW HANDSY
Ironically, though swing is meant for pairs, you touch your partner less as you get more advanced. The moves have you pulling away from each other for momentum and style.

HOOK-UP POTENTIAL
At the advanced level, dancers were waaay beyond the amateurish hope that swing dancing would lead to swingin’ sex. But you might have better luck at a crash course, where newbies bond over crushed feet.

SINGLES VERDICT
3 out of 6

WHERE TO DO IT
A 13-piece band and guest vocalists lure aficionados to the Cotton Club from near and far: middle-aged Manhattanites who’ve just learned to Lindy, longtime Harlem residents and young international tourists. 656 W 125th St between Broadway and Riverside Dr (212-663-7980, cottonclub-newyork.com). Mon 8:30pm–midnight, $15.

The college-age and early-twenties crowd at the Frim Fram Jam has an equal guy-to-girl ratio and knows how to swing. Lonely girls will get many invitations from eager young lads, most of whom can either teach you something or let you shine. You Should Be Dancing, 412 Eighth Ave at 31st St (212-244-0011). Thu 9pm–1am, $8.