London: Country Music Party with Line Dancing, Two-stepping

At Big Belly Bar in Southwark, you get more than a basic line-dancing class. Brandon Burke leads you through the Electric Slide, Cotton Eye Joe, Watermelon Crawl, Tush-Push, and the Texas Two-Step, with live singers and musicians keeping the room moving. It is part dance lesson, part country sing-along, and part cheerful Sunday bar party.

I like the beginner-friendly teaching, since you can arrive with no dance experience and still learn the steps. I also like the live country music and Dolly Parton sing-along, which give the afternoon more character than a class set to recorded music.

The main thing to consider is the physical effort. Even though the mood is social and relaxed, two hours of dancing can feel like a workout. The event is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with a low level of fitness, or anyone over 95 years old.

Key points at a glance

• Brandon Burke leads the dancing: Learn familiar numbers such as Electric Slide and Cotton Eye Joe, then try Watermelon Crawl, Tush-Push, and the Texas Two-Step.
• Live music shapes the afternoon: Musicians and singers perform country favorites, with a Dolly Parton sing-along among the highlights.
• The main event runs from 2 to 4 p.m.: Doors open at noon, and the optional brunch starts at 12:30 p.m.
• The $26 ticket covers the dance party: Bottomless brunch is an extra purchase, not part of general admission.
• You can join without dancing: Sit with a drink, clap, sing, or stomp along while others take the floor.
• Big Belly Bar handles private celebrations: Hen parties, birthdays, anniversaries, and work events can use the event room, with special drink offers and a cowboy hat for the bride or birthday girl.

What the Southwark country party is really like

This is a social dance afternoon rather than a formal performance. You spend the two-hour session learning steps, repeating them with the group, and then putting them to music. The setup gives beginners a clear way into country dancing, while more confident dancers have harder routines to work on.

The mood is deliberately informal. You do not need a polished outfit or a dance partner to take part. Cowboy boots are welcome if you have them, but they are not listed as a requirement. If you prefer to watch, the bar gives you a place to sit with a beer or soft drink and enjoy the music without joining every dance.

I would think of this as a good choice for people who enjoy a shared activity with a little silliness. It is less suited to anyone hoping for a quiet Sunday meal or a serious dance workshop with detailed individual coaching.

Arriving at Big Belly Bar before 2 p.m.

The event takes place at Big Belly Bar in Southwark, in South East England. Doors open at noon, which gives you time to arrive before the main dance session. The optional brunch begins at 12:30 p.m., so you can eat and order drinks before the dancing starts.

This earlier opening matters if you choose the brunch add-on. It lets you turn the event into a longer Sunday outing rather than arriving just before the two-hour party. If you are booking only the general admission ticket, you can focus on the 2 to 4 p.m. dance session.

Bring a passport or ID card. The information for the event specifically asks you to have identification with you, so do not treat this as an optional extra.

The optional bottomless brunch from 12:30 p.m.

The brunch is an add-on, not part of the $26 admission price. It includes mimosas, hamburgers, and a vegan option, giving you a food and drink choice before the main dance party.

The value depends on how you plan to use the afternoon. If you want lunch and several drinks before dancing, the add-on may make sense. If you are mainly interested in learning the steps and hearing the music, general admission keeps your cost lower.

I would also think about the timing. Alcohol and energetic dancing do not suit everyone, and the party itself includes beer drinking or soda pop. You can enjoy the event without drinking alcohol, so do not feel that the brunch or bar menu is essential to the experience.

Because the exact brunch price is not provided, check the current add-on cost before booking. The $26 figure applies to the general experience, not to the bottomless option.

Brandon Burke gets the group moving

Brandon Burke is the host and dance leader. His role is important here because the experience depends on clear instructions and a relaxed tone. You are not simply left to copy a dance floor full of experts. The session is designed to teach the movements in an easy-to-follow way.

The basic dances include Electric Slide and Cotton Eye Joe. These are sensible starting points for a mixed group because they give beginners familiar patterns to repeat. Once you have found the rhythm, Brandon can take the group toward more demanding routines such as Watermelon Crawl and Tush-Push.

The Texas Two-Step adds a different feel. Line dancing keeps the group moving in set patterns, while two-stepping gives you a partner-style country dance to learn. You can try both instead of spending the entire afternoon on one format.

There is no promise that every dance will suit every ability level. If you have two left feet, you may need to repeat the instructions several times. That is part of the point, though. The session is built for participation, not perfection.

Learning Electric Slide, Cotton Eye Joe, and more

The class format gives you a progression from familiar group dances to trickier routines. Electric Slide and Cotton Eye Joe are likely to feel more approachable if you have never danced in public. The group structure also means you can watch the people around you while you practice.

Watermelon Crawl and Tush-Push provide a challenge for anyone who already knows the basics. The event is advertised for beginners through advanced dancers, but keep your expectations sensible. A two-hour party cannot offer a full course in country dance technique. It can, however, give you a useful introduction and enough repetition to join in with confidence.

I like the mix because it avoids making the session too easy for experienced dancers or too intimidating for newcomers. You can treat the simpler dances as a warm-up and use the later routines as a test of your coordination.

The physical side should not be underestimated. One participant described the afternoon as a workout they had not expected, even though they considered it great fun. Wear something comfortable and be ready to stay on your feet for much of the session.

Live singers, musicians, and the Dolly Parton sing-along

The live music changes the character of the event. Instead of moving through a silent lesson or relying only on a playlist, you hear singers and musicians perform country songs in the room. That gives the dancing a more direct, communal feel.

The Dolly Parton sing-along is a clear crowd moment. You do not need to know every dance step to take part in a song. If you are sitting at the bar, this is an easy way to join the atmosphere without going onto the floor.

The music also helps break up the instruction. You learn a sequence, practice it, and then get the chance to use it with live performers. That makes the event feel like a party with lessons woven through it, rather than a class that ends when the instructor stops speaking.

The trade-off is that the music and group energy may make precise learning harder for some people. If your main aim is technical dance training, this is not the right format. If you want country music, movement, and a social afternoon, the live element adds real value.

The 2 to 4 p.m. dance party

The main session lasts two hours, from 2 to 4 p.m. That is long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to fit into a wider day in London.

The afternoon likely follows a simple rhythm: instruction, practice, live music, and repeated dances. The available details do not provide a minute-by-minute schedule, so you should not expect a fixed order for every song or lesson. The named dances give you a good idea of the range.

The two-hour length is also useful for group occasions. A hen party, birthday, anniversary, or work event can share an activity without committing to an entire evening. Big Belly Bar offers an event room, drink specials, and a cowboy hat for the bride or birthday girl. Groups of 10 or more can receive a reduced rate, according to the event information.

For private parties, check the current arrangements when booking. The event room and group offers are part of the available setup, but the precise package and price are not given here.

What your $26 ticket buys

At $26 per person, the admission price is reasonable if you want an active, hosted afternoon rather than simply a bar visit. You are paying for two hours of instruction, live entertainment, access to the dance floor, and the chance to join the country sing-along.

The value is strongest if you take part. A person who dances through several lessons and stays for the live music gets much more from the ticket than someone who sits down for most of the session. Still, non-dancers are welcome to watch, drink, and stomp along, so the ticket can work for mixed groups.

Remember that the price does not include the bottomless brunch. Food, mimosas, hamburgers, and the vegan option require the separate add-on. If you are comparing costs, calculate the admission and brunch as two different purchases.

A five-star score from seven recorded ratings suggests a very positive early response, but the sample is small. I would treat that as encouraging rather than a guarantee that every person will enjoy the same level of energy or physical activity.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the event to you if you like music-led activities, do not mind looking a little awkward while learning, and want a social way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It suits couples, friends, birthday groups, hen parties, and colleagues looking for something less formal than a standard meal.

It is also a good option for a mixed group. The dancers can join the lessons, while anyone who prefers not to dance can sit at the bar and enjoy the songs. That flexibility is useful when not everyone in your party has the same energy level.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility or a low level of fitness. The event information says it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with a low level of fitness. The instructions also list people over 95 as unsuitable, so check the conditions carefully if that applies to someone in your group.

The teaching is in English, and no other language is listed. You should be comfortable following English-language instructions to get the most from the class.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that let you move safely. Cowboy boots can add to the look, but they are optional. Since the dancing may be more tiring than expected, choose comfort over dressing entirely for photographs.

Arrive with enough time to find the bar and settle in, especially if you have booked brunch. Doors open at noon, brunch begins at 12:30 p.m., and the dance party starts at 2 p.m.

Bring passport or ID card. Also decide in advance if you want the brunch add-on, since it changes both your budget and your schedule.

If you are nervous about dancing, start with the group routines and follow Brandon Burke’s instructions one step at a time. You do not need to perform for the room. The appeal is taking part with everyone else.

Should you book Big Belly Bar’s country dance party?

Book it if you want a lively, hands-on afternoon in Southwark with clear dance lessons, live country music, and a strong social element. The combination of Electric Slide, Texas Two-Step, Dolly Parton, and live singers gives the event more variety than a standard line-dancing class.

The $26 admission is good value for an active two-hour session, as long as you understand that brunch costs extra. I would choose the add-on if you want a longer Sunday outing with mimosas and lunch. Otherwise, arrive for the main party and keep the cost down.

Skip it if you need step-free access, have limited stamina, or want a quiet meal rather than a dance floor. For everyone else, especially groups looking for a playful celebration, this is a cheerful and unusual way to spend an afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the country music party take place?

The event takes place at Big Belly Bar in Southwark, in South East England.

How long does the experience last?

The main dance party lasts two hours, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

What time do the doors open?

Doors open at noon.

When does the brunch begin?

The optional brunch begins at 12:30 p.m.

Is bottomless brunch included in the $26 ticket?

No. Bottomless brunch is an add-on and is not included with general admission.

What does the bottomless brunch offer?

The brunch includes mimosas, hamburgers, and a vegan option.

Which dances can I learn?

You can learn the Electric Slide, Cotton Eye Joe, Watermelon Crawl, Tush-Push, and the Texas Two-Step, along with other country dances.

Do I need previous dance experience?

No. The lessons are designed for beginners through advanced dancers, and the instructions are intended to be easy to follow.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. Cowboy boots are suggested if you have them, but they are not stated as required.