It’s the summer season, warm summer nights are upon us, and lots of you are wondering where the best dance clubs are in lower Manhattan. Well, wonder no more because Downtown Magazine has the top 7 dance clubs to fit everyone’s wants, needs, and personality.
#1 – Cielo’s
One of the best of the bunch, this club hosts rocking DJs and wild dance nights. Cielo’s music crew mostly sticks to the techno, but even New Yorkers who don’t consider themselves the electric type can even get into the beats. Some of the city’s most masterful spinners set up shop here, like resident DJ, Francois K and ROOTS party’s, Blaze [Kevin Hedge]. Do note that cover fees can climb as high as $25, but you can sometimes sneak on a guest list through the club’s Facebook page; check it out on the day of your party of choice for discounts and lists.
Location for Cielo is at 18 Little West 12th Street between 9th Ave and Washington Street in the Meatpacking District (212-645-5700). For more information visit cieloclub.com.
Cielo also has an Instagram and Twitter account that patrons can follow.
#2 – Output
Output is open to anyone, but it may not exactly be for everyone. This specific club welcomes individuals who value the communal experience of music over cameras and bottle service. The club’s crowd is pretty laid back for a big city club, and there’s no VIP section to contend with. Output’s two floors are filled with music and dancing, and no one will knock you out of your zone.
Output is located at 74 Wythe Ave between North 11th and 12th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. For more information visit outputclub.com.
#3 – Le Bain
Nights at Le Bain are characterized by long lines, picky door staff and dressed-to-the-nines patrons, which brings a classic and vintage edge to this night time hot spot. Music-wise, Le Bain sticks to no specific repertoire, and you can end up grooving to everything from house to rap to pumped-up indie rock; and off to the side of the dance floor sits a pool. With a breathtaking view of Manhattan and the Hudson River, dancers can be dreamers all night long. When you need a breather, head upstairs to the rooftop bar for refreshments and watch the city that never sleeps.
Le Bain is located at 444 West 13th Street between West Street and 10th Ave in the Meatpacking District (212-645-4646). For more information visit standardculture.com.
#4 – Sugarland
Nights at Sugarland are as they should be– hot, sweaty and well packed with guys. Sugarland is the hottest gay bar in the lower NYC area that you don’t want to miss the chance to have a night there. There is a $5 cover to get in, however there is rarely, if ever, a line to get in and drinks are far cheaper than the ones at clubs over on the Big Island. There’s not a lot of techno there, and music ranges from campy ’80s hits to the contemporary top-40 stuff, but everyone who attends definitely gets into the funky and timeless vibe.
Sugarland is located at 221 North 9th Street between Driggs Ave and Roebling Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-4044). For more information visit thisnthatbrooklyn.com.
#5 – Culture Club
Since the club reopened in late 2011, it’s been throwing awesome nostalgia-packed soirees at its multi-floor Midtown space. The music is spectacularly throwback-worthy, with all the ’80s pop, New Wave, ’90s grunge, and old school hip-hop you can handle in one night.
Even the decor is a sendup to the Age of Nintendo; the club is lined with neon lights and filled to the brim with vintage memorabilia, like posters from Debbie Gibson’s old tours and the Footloose sign. Expect to pay a hefty, but reasonable $25 on average, and pregame heavily if you’re looking to get buzzed, because drinks are on the pricy side.
Culture Club is located at 20 West 39th Street between 5th Ave and Ave of the Americas in Midtown (212-921-1999). For more information visit cultureclub.com.
#6 – Sullivan Room
This subterranean Greenwich Village club is the longest running underground club of its kind and a mecca for fans of deep house and techno. Their Libation Party—held on the second and fourth Thursday of every month, and nights hosted by promoters like Verboten, are particularly popular, but if you wander in almost any night of the week, you’re sure to get your groove on. Just be aware that the space is unmarked, and that parties start relatively late. Late– meaning no one will be there before 1 a.m.!
Sullivan Room is located at 218 Sullivan Street between 3rd Street and Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village (212-252-2151). For more information visit sullivanroomrecords.com.
#7 – Bembe
Bembe is a dance club at heart, and a culturally-diverse one at that. DJs and live bands roll out sets chock full of salsa, meringue and samba, not to mention rumba, reggaeton, calypso and a smattering of old school hip-hop. If you’re female, you can usually breeze in free of charge – fellas, expect a $5-$10 cover on busy nights. This very hip hot spot has a fairly Miami-inspired vibe with mojitos and coconut drinks that, yes, COME IN REAL COCONUTS. They are available for post-dance resuscitation.
Bembe is located at 81 South 6th Street at Berry Street in South Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-387-5389). For more information visit bembe.us.
by- Albany Reed
