The 10 Best Places to Go Dancing in NYC
06 December, 2019
- Words by
- Haley Crawford
Navigating
Navigating
a night out in New
York City can engender more anxiety than a supposed fun evening
of partying should. Follow our list for the best of the best places
to get your groove on, whether you’re looking for a glamorous disco
soirée, an outlandishly themed dance-a-thon or a chilled night of
boogying in the East Village.
Paint the Big Apple red in New York’s 10 best destinations for
dancing
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Avant Gardner
Brooklyn
With the aesthetics of a Berlin warehouse, this industrial
complex in Bushwick houses multiple dancing spaces, including the
Brooklyn Mirage, an outdoor space akin to Tomorrowland, and the
fantastical Lost Circus. The space hosts large-scale events, such
as the revered Cityfox NYE blowout and DJ nights in which artists
such as Fisher and Galantis hold court in the Great Hall. The Avant
Gardner Food Court even serves gluten-free pizzas and truffle
burgers to keep you fuelled up all night long.
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Socialista
SoHo
While a night out at Socialista might not entail pushing your
way to the front of a crowd and raging by a DJ booth, you’re
guaranteed Shazam-able tracks from lesser-known artists all night
long and a Cuba libre that’ll knock your typical nightclub rum and
coke out of the park. Catch up over cocktails on one of the vintage
couches before dancing on said sofa when the music really revs
up.
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Gospël
SoHo
A new downtown classic, Gospël is where you’ll find your friend
with the best Spotify playlists dancing behind the DJ booth. A
decently large space, this place has an atmosphere that’s always
thumping but never cramped, making it a truly enjoyable spot for
dancing (we promise, you won’t be counting down the minutes until
you can hop in an Uber back home). Illuminated by the lounge’s
golden hues, the crowd always looks deliciously glamorous, but
never feels stuffy or too try-hard. Everyone is here for a good
time, and that’s just what you’ll get thanks to a constant line-up
of sought-after performers.
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Paul’s Casablanca
SoHo
The sister club to Paul Sevigny’s original Tribeca hit, Paul’s
Baby Grand, Paul’s Casablanca has taken over as the see-and-be-seen
hotspot for downtown NYC’s bright young things. With interiors
following a Moroccan theme, the design here is just as photogenic
as its predecessor (though you’ll get snapped at for taking
photos). The small space with intimate booths makes it a great
place to come dancing with a tight-knit group of friends, as well
as for bumping into the jet-setters you Insta-stalk on the regular.
Roll up after a late dinner and get ready to dance until the wee
hours while one of Paul’s eclectic team of DJs spins classic tunes
and sing-a-long disco beats.
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Escondido
Little Italy
Located right on the Bowery, Escondido couldn’t possibly have a
more central location. This lounge in the sprawling Sohotel greets
its fair share of leggy Europeans and Brooklyn creatives looking
for a night out away from their typical haunts. The bar adorned
with huge bouquets of flowers, as well as the glittering skull in
place of a disco ball, set Escondido apart from its nearby
counterparts such as La Esquina, and bring out the atmosphere of a
Mexican speakeasy when paired with its red booths and curtains.
Order a few mezcal cocktails to start the night off and you’ll be
hitting the dance floor in no time.
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House of Yes
Brooklyn
An icon in New York City’s nightlife world, House of Yes is the
gathering place for some of the city’s wildest night owls. A temple
for OTT-themed parties and shows, the events here are all about
letting loose and making the most of the moment. Embrace it by
going all-out with your costume for themes such as “dirty circus”,
“seven heavenly sins” and “house of hallucinations”, and prepare to
be wowed by the performances on stage as well as those on the dance
floor.
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Flower Shop
The idea of a 70s basement might turn some off, but that
old-school aesthetic is just what draws in the crowd of
20-somethings that fill the space at Flower Shop on a weekly basis.
Upstairs is all vinyl booths where you can dine on classic dishes
with a twist, such as pork-and-sage scotch eggs and
buttermilk-fried chicken with spicy honey before descending the
stairs. Pro tip: getting here early for dinner will save you
waiting in the queue that gets pretty long as the night wears on.
Downstairs, the party is usually in full swing by 10:30pm, when LES
hipsters gather around the pool table and jukebox. Thanks to the
laid-back atmosphere here, it’s the perfect place to come when you
want to go out and dance but also have the opportunity to
chill.
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Nublu
Anyone who could easily participate in a dance marathon should
have Nublu on their list. This Avenue-C hideaway marked by a blue
light at its entrance is a favourite among ravers who have had
their fair share of massive all-night parties and are looking for
music that’s of the same caliber but without the hordes of people.
A space that will make you feel like you’re at a quasi-private
show, the club regularly features up-and-coming groups such as
Brazilian Girls, as well as late-night DJs and after-parties for
big-time concerts such as Phish.
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Her Name Was Carmen
SoHo
A club that’s set to celebrate its one-year anniversary at the
beginning of 2020, Carmen is a favourite destination among New
York’s nightlife regulars. Evenings here start with fresh
Latin-inspired seafood dishes in the restaurant upstairs before
drifting to the basement to boogie. The design is 50s and 60s Latin
America through and through – think: brightly coloured murals
featuring exotic animals splashed across the walls and bold plant
arrangements that greet you as you sidle up to the bar. Make sure
you order one of the Amazonia cocktails infused with peach and
honey.
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Berlin
For a no-frills night of high-intensity dancing, this is your
spot. There are live bands and DJs every night (they’re always open
until 4am), so this is your go-to on a weekday evening when you’re
in the mood to dance, even when you didn’t put a ton of time into
primping. The grungy cool kids that pack this space on a nightly
basis are drawn in by the great music and low-key environment, so
you’ll fit right in if you come here with the same mindset.