Nightlife can take many forms, but for New Yorkers and visitors looking
to let off a little steam, nothing quite does the job like a night of dancing.
While the city’s mega dance clubs used to be synonymous with Manhattan, recent
years have given rise to a new kind of club that’s happy to call Brooklyn home.
Williamsburg clubs like Output, with their lack of
velvet ropes and seriously dirty sound systems draw crowds more interested in
Carl Cox and Royksopp than Kanye West and Skrillex.
Or what about outlier Mehanata, a Lower East Side gem that's
often unfairly overlooked even though it has the energy, soul and funk to lift
you right off their basement stripper pole and on to the wild and rowdy dance
floor?
But before we get too
far off the beaten path, rest assured that those of you looking for the
ultimate VIP experience won't be disappointed with what you'll find below. The
new kids on the block may be stealing some thunder, but Manhattan’s club scene
still reigns supreme at places like Provocateur, where you can just
as easily groove the night away as spend the evening gawking at celebrity
royalty. Not that you’d want to do that anyway, right? No, you came to dance.
Williamsburg clubs like Output, with their lack of
velvet ropes and seriously dirty sound systems draw crowds more interested in
Carl Cox and Royksopp than Kanye West and Skrillex.
Or what about outlier Mehanata, a Lower East Side gem that's
often unfairly overlooked even though it has the energy, soul and funk to lift
you right off their basement stripper pole and on to the wild and rowdy dance
floor?
But before we get too far off the beaten path, rest assured
that those of you looking for the ultimate VIP experience won't be disappointed
with what you'll find below. The new kids on the block may be stealing some
thunder, but Manhattan’s club scene still reigns supreme at places like Provocateur,
where you can just as easily groove the night away as spend the evening gawking
at celebrity royalty. Not that you’d want to do that anyway, right? No, you
came to dance.
For those times when you just can't wait for the weekend, set
your Thursday night compass to Cielo in the Meatpacking District for a good old
dose of thundering sound and high-energy beats. Brought to you by the same
owners as Output, this tiny club boasts a massively powerful sound system that
the techno-house DJs know exactly how to put to good use. They've also got a
roster of events, including a daytime kiddie rave in case you have young ones
and want to get them started early. The only con? There's a chance you may find
yourself rubbing elbows with a few tourists who've read about Cielo on lists
like this one, but you'll quickly forget they're there once the bass drops.
Le Bain at the Standard
With arguably the chicest bathrooms and sexiest views in NYC,
Le Bain is notoriously one of the hardest doors in the city. Perhaps that's
because this lively club is connected to The Boom Boom Room, one of Manhattan's
exclusive celebrity watering holes, or maybe it's the hot tubs built directly
into the dance floor. Either way, dress to impress and try not to take it to
heart if you're turned away once (or more) before gaining entry. If you happen
to arrive early, you'll have better luck, but beware that the club stays fairly
empty until the clock strikes midnight.
Output
Output is one of the few clubs in Brooklyn to hold its own
against Manhattan's heavy hitters. The club is armed with a Funktion One, one
of the best sound systems in the city, making it powerful against the big guys
in more ways than one. You'll find more plaid-clad hipsters than stilleto'd
models here, but that doesn't mean you won't have to wait if you show up late.
Once inside, the main room bumps with high-quality electronic talent, the
adjoining Panther Room offers a more intimate listening experience and the
rooftop gives you a place to cool down before heading back in for more.
Provocateur
With prime positioning in the club-concentrated Meatpacking
District, Provoc, as it's lovely called by regulars, is where to go when you
want to see and be seen. Packed to the rafters with models, financial
powerhouses, actors and trust fund babies, the room is split into two:
Provocateur Cafe; and Provocateur Nightclub. For ear-splitting beats and prime
dancing, stay on the Nightclub side but venture to the Cafe; when you're ready
for late-night people-watching. And if you think you'll get past the door
rocking a beanie and sneakers, think again. Dress to the nines or to get booted
to the back of the line...if they let you stay at all.
Marquee
Marquee
fell out of party people's good graces for a few years but has bounced back
with a vengeance after a complete overhaul in 2012. With outposts in Sydney and
Vegas, Marquee NYC is essentially one huge room and a balconied VIP area that
pulls international electronic DJs on a weekly basis. After paying the cover,
you'll join forces with a mix of sweaty New Yorkers and curious out-of-towners.
Marquee also does production better than anyone else, and their dedication to
all things 'nightlife' is astounding. Break away from the dance floor to take
in the dancers, the costumes and the clientele.
Black Flamingo
Black
Flamingo's official designation on Google is "Vegan Restaurant."
Don't let this confuse you. While it's true that generally good meatless fare
is served here, it's the basement you should care about. Decked out in a
pink-walled Miami Vice, 1970's vibe, Black Flamingo is where people who don't
care to see or be seen come to get down. The music is funky house - more
playful and lighthearted than heavy, thumping bass, and often features an
expansive array of vinyl. It's where the older hipsters - you know, the ones
who've ditched their PBRs for high-end cocktails - come when they're looking to
bust a groove thang. And we've gotta admit, the neighborhood's better for it.
Mehanata
A wild
card on the list that's too-often overlooked is Mehanata, a Bulgarian club
that's home to what seems like a band of traveling gypsies and a wicked vodka
ice room. Skip the ice room and don't waste any time jumping in to the
downright dirty dancing that's surely taking place across Mehanata's two floors.
Trippy gypsy punk collides with a blatant disregard for anything that doesn't
resemble a good time. A hidden party house in plain view, your friends will
think you've smuggled them to Eastern Europe and not to the Lower East Side for
a night unlike any they've ever seen.
Lavo
Lavo's
DJs mash up hip-hop, pop, house and EDM to create an atmosphere that's
excessively over the top in the best possible way. Not at all for the faint of
heart, don't be surprised when you're swept up into the chaos and bounced
around the dance floor only to find yourself stumbling out into the street at
the first signs of daylight. From scantily dressed girls dancing on tables to
Europeans fist-pumping along to Tiesto, Lavo is all energy, all opulence, all
the time. Planning to drink? Stack your wallet with cash and be prepared to
walk out empty-handed - this spot is one of the priciest on the list.
The Jane Hotel
Though
the Jane Hotel Ballroom has slipped a bit from its days of glory, it's still a
great place to visit if you're looking for the kind of night that includes
dancing on tables. The hotel used to be a haven for sailors looking for a place
to rest their weary bones, but we'd be willing to bet there's not much rest
taking place here on the weekends. From high-fashion models bopping to the
beats to tech superstars throwing back vodka martinis, The Jane Hotel caters to
a youthful crowd looking for a good time. Keep in mind that you're in New York,
so don't be surprised if the party doesn't get popping until late.
House of Yes
Those
looking for a weird, over-the-top, Burning Man-esque romp in dance party form
should look no further than House of Yes. This once illicit venue is now
perfectly legal, though your mouth will still likely hit the floor upon walking
in. Some have called it the best party in New York right now. Others refuse to
try to explain it. And they're right - House of Yes is best experienced rather
than talked about. Expect loud beats, twirling circus performers, men in
pseudo-drag and scantily clad women dancing next to guys in flannel drinking a
beer. The theme? Borrowed from Burning Man, it's anything goes and everyone's
welcome, which is refreshing, to say the least.
