RICHARD BELL joins the ranks of dancing divas at the Salsa and Latino Night at Thirst Lodge in Oxford.

Thirst Lodge can be a difficult place to find, tucked away as it is behind the Westgate Centre, and so directing people there can prove quite challenging.

Not so for Latino night, as Latin American rhythms pour out of the venue, echoing around the streets as though Mardi Gras itself were happening just round the corner.

Entering the club, I was greeted by the bizarre figures of extremely imposing doormen robbed of all their terror by wearing flowery leis around their necks, creating the confusing but hilarious impression of touchy-feely sensitivity and menace.

And trust me, it was rather difficult not to openly laugh in their faces when asked for ID. Having entered across Thirst Lodge’s marvellous terrace (unquestionably Oxford’s best smoking area), the wave of sheer energy was almost enough to knock me over the moment I arrived.

Now, let’s kick off with the basics – the dance floor is utterly terrifying to anyone who hasn’t started dancing yet.

In fact, it’s a little like wandering into an asteroid belt, with the chance of collision seemingly certain as you attempt to navigate your way between the stunning girls and oh-so-cool guys as they whirl about at nightmarish speed.

The simple act of going to the bar turns into an Indiana Jones-esque assault course, with dancing girls as the obstacles which, while it can be rather frightening, is also (and for obvious reasons) absolutely brilliant at the same time.

Salsa lessons precede the night’s festivities ensuring that everyone from expert to clueless uncoordinated buffoons (among whose number I shamefully count myself) will be able to dance the night away in equally tireless fashion.

The instructors carry on long into the night, taking their pick of the best looking girls, giving a brief instruction before spinning them about at ludicrous speed.

Dancing is unquestionably the key to the night’s success, and Thirst Lodge has wisely opened up the entire ground floor to accommodate for the whirligig of the dancers.

Unfortunately for me, most of said dancers are truly expert in their moves, which only serves to highlight my incompetence even further.

Even so, I really couldn’t help myself; the energy of the music is unbelievably infectious and when it comes down to it, you really have no choice but to let it flow down your spine and into your feet...

Of course drinks can always get the slightly unsure onto the dance floor, and some Latino-themed drinks deals help everyone along the way.

Cheap Corona and a dangerously priced £1 Tequila soak the night in happy inebriation, a mood that seems entirely suitable for this event.

You literally cannot sit around with a glum face, not that smiles are compulsory, they’re simply automatic.

Thirst Lodge have struck gold with this loud, energetic and quite simply superb event.

Viva Latino Night!