Prior to the year 2000, SalsaCrazy wrote a monthly salsa club picks list, and it was continually updated through the years. It was a way to note clubs that were not only the best in class, but also followed (at the time) a fairly strict set of guidelines. Remeber, at that time, there were multiple options on every single day of the week for salsa dancing, most with a live band.
For a dance club to be included in club picks, it had to have dance lessons, and be welcoming for beginners. It ideally had live music. It had a large and friendly crowd, where the you could find good social salsa dancers.