A Guide to Brooklyn Dance Spots

Places where dancing is the main event.

Whether you like it or not, dancing in the “clerb” is in style again. Gone are the days of treating the dance floor like a forgotten middle child, nervously babysitting your phone in a corner, or standing with your back up against the wall. Not today.

Instead, it’s time to lose yourself to the music. It’s time to twirl, glide, and maybe even attempt that TikTok routine you’ve been practicing. (JK, there’s never a time for that.) But, understandably, you’re going to need the right place to let loose—where the DJ and the crowd are as electric as the sound system.

Well, BKMAG has you covered. Whether you’re looking for a big venue that plays house music, a small dive bar for techno, or a midsize joint blasting salsa, Brooklyn has loads of options for you to hit the dance floor.

Below, we’re shining a disco-ball-size spotlight on Brooklyn’s best places to dance—where the floor isn’t an afterthought but the star.

Good Room
Address: 98 Meserole Ave.
Best night to go: A Friday or Saturday

If you’ve ever heard someone say they’ve never had a bad night at Good Room in Williamsburg, believe them. They are 1,000 percent telling the truth about the multi-space venue, that has areas named the “good” and “bad” rooms and regularly locks in great DJs. The best night to hit this spot up is a Friday or Saturday. Sometimes you need tickets in advance, but if you’re feeling spontaneous, you might find tickets at the door. So stop by and you might even catch a set from a Games of Thrones actor.

Pasadena Room at Midnights
Address: 149 N. 6th St.
Best night to go: Whenever AG is playing

No one is afraid to let loose in the Pasadena Room at the bar Midnights in Williamsburg. The space is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s the perfect move after a long workweek that’s probably left some tension in your body. Your best bet is to hit the room whenever NYC DJ and producer AG is playing. They’re an open-format DJ, so get ready to hear a range of music.

The Bush
Address: 333 Troutman St., Store 4
Best night to go: Ladies First night

There’s only so many spaces for Black and Brown queer people to gather in this city without feeling marginalized. Luckily, one of the best places is located right here in Brooklyn. The Bush, in Bushwick, has become a popular Dyke bar in the few years since its opening—and for good reason. The music is always A-1. The drinks hit. And the atmosphere is as fun as can be. While they host a range of events like comedy nights and karaoke, the best time to go dancing is during their monthly party “Ladies First,” which usually boasts a line-up of stellar DJs ready to make the place shake.

Hart Bar
Address: 538 Hart St., #1.
Best night to go: Any themed party

Hart Bar in Bushwick is a nice spot for a first or second date, but it’s also the perfect place for a night out with your friends. The space is two levels, with an outdoor space where people dance just as much as in the indoor space. They also get Brownie points for having a kitchen that serves pretty good fries. The best time to go to Hart Bar is for any themed party, like this Halloween one hosted by OpenHouse.

Public Records
Address: 233 Butler St.
Best night to go: A weeknight

This one may be a little contentious for some folks, but some might say the best time to experience Public Records, now that more Manhattanites have discovered the place, is during the week. You won’t face super-long lines, and you might actually be among real music lovers. The “sound room” doubles as a live music space some nights and a nightclub on others. Either way, you’ll find people moving their bodies on the dance floors as if absolutely no one is watching.

The Sultan Room
Address: 234 Starr St.
Best night to go: Whenever Gorgeous Gorgeous is scheduled

Stepping into the Sultan Room often feels like you’re stepping into a funhouse. There are weird shapes and colors on the walls, various rooms, an upper outdoor area, and a downstairs. Simply put, there’s a lot going on and people are everywhere. But all of this makes it the right space for escapism. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you truly got lost in the cosmos and danced into the wee hours until your feet hurt. In fact, the best night to do so is whenever the queer pop party Gorgeous Gorgeous rolls into the venue. You’ll hear nothing but obnoxious, fun, and freeing pop music that’ll have you screaming at the top of your lungs. And you might even make it into their Instagram carousel.

Honey’s
Address: 93 Scott Ave.
Best night to go: A Friday

Venture into Honey’s, located in Bushwick, on any Friday night and you might just catch one of the best DJ sets you’ve seen in a while. The first part of the bar is an intimate space known for its great drinks, but the back area, a set of stairs away, is where your night definitely starts. There’s an event space that feels big yet intimate and is just a good time.

Nowadays
Address: 56-06 Cooper Ave.
Best night to go: Any Nonstop Saturday/Sunday (especially in the summer)

If you just never want the party to end (or would at least like the option of it lasting 24 hours), Nowadays in Bushwick is your next destination. You obviously don’t have to stay the full 24 hours, but you have the choice to dip in and out. There’s also a full Mexican restaurant in the venue. Need a nap? Then head to the back, where there are hammocks and tents that are really the place to be in the summertime.

Cafe Erzulie
Address: 894 Broadway
Best night to go: First Saturdays of the month

If you live where Bed-Stuy and Bushwick meet, you’ve probably been to Cafe Erzulie. This is the go-to spot when you’ve got a friend in town and want to be guaranteed a good time. The dance floor is always packed, everyone at Cafe Erzulie is relatively well dressed, so do put some effort into your outfit.

Bembe
Address: 81 S 6th St.
Best night to go: A Saturday

It’s basically a crime to be reserved at Bembe. From the moment you step into the small space in Williamsburg, you’ll understand why. There are loud drums going and dozens of people dancing as closely as humanly possible, in ways that would make many grandmothers clutch their pearls. But this is what makes Bembe the spot to be on a Saturday night. No one’s trying to look cool. Instead, the vibe is to actually connect via a love for reggae, Afrobeat, or salsa.