Let’s be real. New York offers some of the best nightlife in the entire world, and our variety of vibes is unmatched. No matter if you’re after a bass-filled nightclub with a DJ, a casual cocktail lounge to mingle, or a nightclub/show combo, there’s something to match whatever mood you’re after that night! So grab your dancing shoes and gather your friends, because here are our favorite nightclubs in NYC:
1. Little Sister, East Village
We’ll be honest, although Little Sister Lounge is notoriously difficult to get into (and been uncovered by many Gen Z-ers on TikTok), this spot is still one of our favorite place to dance and meet people. Their sophisticated and sexy interior gives this lounge an exclusive vibe, and their music always oozes boujee. If you’re lucky enough to get in, you’ll have the night of your life.
Where: 112 E 11th St
2. Nowadays, Ridgewood
Nowadays in Ridgewood is a 16,000 square foot space full of live DJs, outdoor space, food, local beers, wine, sangria, and so much more. Their iconic “Mister Sundays” dance parties are always some of the best afternoon dance events around, and their massive outdoor backyard reminds us of a music festival campgrounds. If you like house music this is a good spot! Plus, they have an upcoming event with Soul Summit on March 12 that you don’t want to miss.
Where: 56-06 Cooper Ave, Queens
Since opening in May, Wiggle Room is one our favorite nightclubs in terms of aesthetics, cocktails, and clientele. This two floor bar offers “softened socialization” and on-tap cocktails like their “Wiggle Room Martini.” Their ground floor is much more lax than their basment dancefloor which is full of funk and disco vibes. Plus, their wavy neon LED lights and disco ball bring together a truly captivating dance atmosphere!
Where: 9 Avenue A
4. SILO, East Williamsburg
After opening in February, this converted airplane hangar turned nightclub is the newest bustling spot to take over Scott Ave in East Williamsburg. It offers a super grungy and underground type feeling that you might find in somewhere like Berlin. Of course the music is always great, as they offer smaller names across the house and techno genre every single weekend. It hosts up to 500 guests and features a custom 40,000 watt Danley sound system, eight high-contrast projectors, a 16′ tall mezzanine and a fabulous dance floor. If you spend many weekends in the clubs in those areas, this will fit right in!
Where: 90 Scott Ave
5. Paul’s Baby Grand, Tribeca
Paul’s Baby Grand prides itself on providing “an Uptown waltz to a Downtown beat.” Their drinks are great, music tends to be on par, and atmosphere is always great. Their interior decor focuses on powerful feminism and European aesthetic, all complete with a disco ball. If you decide to go here, we suggest going early in the night, as lines tend to form later in the night!
Where: 2 6th Ave
6. Good Room, Greenpoint
Good Room in Greenpoint is unapologetically for music lovers. Combining the neighboring Greenpoint scene with a clubbing experience, this is the home of techno and D&B music around Brooklyn. Their lineups are always diverse in EDM type and always ticketed around $15+. This is a great place to lose yourself in the music until the deep hours of the night!
Where: 98 Meserole Ave, Brooklyn
7. Deluxx Fluxx, East Village
The Detroit club scene has a flagship in NYC now that The Studio at Webster Hall has turned into Deluxx Fluxx. This venue is a cocktail bar, art space, arcade, and concert venue all in one! Step into this auditory and visual club experience, all while experiencing some of the funkiest punk and hip-hop DJs on the ones and twos. Their backlight-filled interior and assortment of graffiti and costumed characters is something you’ve definitely never seen in a club!
Where: 125 E 11th St
8. Musica, Hell’s Kitchen
Are you ready to be transported to Italy? Musica is the largest nightclub in NYC and aims to bring the European dance floor atmosphere to Hell’s Kitchen. The club offers “The Whisper Room” on the ground room, a main room split into two bar areas, and a rooftop space as well. Their main hall has seen major acts like Galantis and Kerri Chandler roll through this year, but there’s always great bass-filled tunes filling the room. Follow their Instagram for the schedule of upcoming acts!
Where: 637 W 50th St
9. Tao, Chelsea
Asian restaurant by day and nightclub by night, Tao is a NYC staple that often gets placed on the lists of best night clubs in NYC. Their Chinese-themed decor and exposed brick walls are synonymous with late-night cocktails, A-list celebrities, and lots of dancing. Covers are always enforced here and table reservations are available, but we’ll be the first to admit this place is a pricey nightclub.
Where: 369 W 16th St
10. Lavo, Midtown
Lavo is another highly famous commercialized club that we can’t leave off our NYC list. Similarly to Tao, this place draws in world renowned DJs and typically requires tickets to enter. Guest lists and tables are commonplace here, but if you’re willing to pay and are up to their dress code, you’ll have the time of your life.
Where: 40 E 58th St
11. ACME, NoHo
If you’re hip in NYC, you’re hanging out at ACME. This downstairs lounge is full of leather couches, intimate dim lighting, and signature cocktails. Mix in their resident DJs that are constantly playing people-pleasing tunes, and you’re sure to have a good night. There’s a restaurant attached to this spot that serves food during the day, but the place comes alive at night!
Where: 9 Great Jones St
Somewhere Nowhere is “NYC’s highest lounge” and that feels apparent when you see their assortment of cloud decor and various vines and foliage. Located in Chelsea, it truly depends on the night in terms of what vibes you’ll get. They host A-list DJs, album listening parties, and normal club nights. In our opinion, their sound systems and intimate dance floors are some of the best in the city!
Where: 112 W 25th St
13. Socialista, Soho
Socialista is a Cuban-inspired spot that offers food, signature drinks, and a good time. The interior looks like a saloon from 1940s Havana, thanks to their plush seating, exotically patterned floor and walls, and overall colonial vibes. This spot is on the more laidback side but it definitely has its own nighttime atmosphere.
Where: 376 W Broadway, 2nd Fl
Find yourself in Brooklyn? House of YES is a booming club cathedral that hosts some of the most unique club nights in the city. Their top events range from burlesque dancers to drag nights, all while hosting theme nights too! Cover prices vary depending on the night, but it’s worth it for the show you’re witnessing. They combine music, art, creativity, and dancing…all in one night!
Where: 2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn
15. Elsewhere, Bushwick
Elsewhere is one of our favorite clubs in Brooklyn, mainly because of their passion to have club-goers be their true self. It’s no wonder this Brooklyn spot has been fueling NYC nightlife for the past five years! Their venue is split into 3 main rooms, The Great Hall, Zone 1, and The Loft (and during the summer The Rooftop). This club is home to underground DJs and sometimes intimate sets from A-list DJs as well! Plus, because they have multiple rooms with different music and atmospheres, you can pick and choose whichever you’re vibing with more. Tickets are required for Elsewhere, so be sure to check their IG, since new shows are announced seemingly everyday! Plus, they also just announced a membership program too!
Where: 599 Johnson Ave, Brooklyn
16. The Box, Nolita
The Box is more on the burlesque/erotica club side, but it’s still a different kind of clubbing we love to have on our list. Their two floor setup is well done and provides an intimate and extravagant experience you won’t find at other places.
Where: 189 Chrystie St
17. Le Bain, Meatpacking
In terms of disco balls and state-of-the-art lighting systems, Le Bain is one of our favorite spots on this list. It sits at the top of The Standard hotel and offers picturesque views of the city while you dance. We suggest going during their sunset parties and drinking one of their signature cocktails!
Where: 848 Washington St
18. Avant Gardner, East Williamsburg
One of the bigger venues/nightclubs on our list is Avant Gardner, where many of the most famous DJs play concerts at throughout the year. This spot is essentially a Brooklyn warehouse turned rave, and the atmosphere here is always top-tier. Their summers are complete with the outdoor Brooklyn Mirage next door and their even more intimate venue King’s Hall too. The quality of music production is the single most important here so if you’re a big dance music fan, you absolutely have to try a night here!
Where: 140 Stewart Ave
Step into a ’70s era feeling dance club, as you put your moves to the test under the disco ball and flashing lights at Daphne. The space is tucked away under Hotel 50 Bowery and is a hotspot on weekends for all ages. You can get tables and bottle service here, or go more lax with some house cocktails. Either way, you’re sure to have fun because their music is always amazing.
Where: 50 Bowery St
20. Schimanski, Williamsburg
Between theme nights or label takeovers, you’re sure to find a night out at Schimanski that feeds your music taste. Dance under their iconic shark disco ball (pictured above) all while making new friends along the way. Their roster of DJs are always solid (with some big ones including Tiesto, Zedd and more in the past) and everyone’s always dancing!
Where: 54 N 11th St, Brooklyn
