New York's Best Dance Club

This international hotspot transports clubbers to the steamy tropics.

Reviews:

• “Great club, great dj’s, friendly bartenders, but Pacha security is horrible”
• “Had a GREAT time”
• “not so great- the guy at the door sucked”
• “So close….but yet so far away”
• “Amazing club!!!!”

Tips: Finagle your way into Pachita, the exclusive lounge and dance floor on the top level—though only select VIPs with the club’s “passport” card are guaranteed access. The secret staircase leading up to Pachita is hidden behind the go-go shower lounge on the third floor.

Pacha or email Pacha

Posses in their 20s overrun this retro-sexy gallery-lounge with late-night rendezvous.

Reviews:

• “My Saturdays”
• “Horrible customer service at the door”
• “Perfect Birthdays”
• “Really good music”
• “Overrall Great”

Tips: The bar staff tacks a 20 percent service charge onto all credit card tabs, regardless of your party’s size.

Dirty Disco—CLOSED

The former bank-turned-club cashes in as a Lower East Side dance institution.

Reviews:

• “DONT EVER GO THERE!!! ITS a SCAM!!!”
• “Great club!”
• “release some caribbean dancing”
• “Thank you for everything”
• “Freakin Awesome!!!”

Tips: In addition to a roped-off area on the balcony, VIPs can throw private parties in the basement’s vault-door listening rooms, which feature personal volume controls.

Element or email Element

Tough luck for anyone not with the “private party” at this brilliantly designed club.

Reviews:

• “Love this club!”
• “this place is very nice for a business owner to host their event”
• “House music at its best!”
• “Sweetheart at the door. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!!”
• “CIELO does NOT belong in NYC…”

Tips: Don’t bother asking for a drink list and don’t order anything too complicated from the perpetually stressed bartenders. Nicholas Feuillatte Palme D’Or Brut champagne is the libation of choice.

Cielo

Hard-partying revelers unite at this mixing ground for drinking, dancing and decadence.

Reviews:

• “THAT’S HOT!!!”
• “best night EVER!!!!”
• “BEWARE of PICKPOCKETERS!!!!”
• “Great music and dancing”
• “BEST PARTY PLANNER AND BOUNCERS IN NYC”

Tips: Each banquette fits about six people. Splitting a bottle, which average $150, saves time and effort, as the waitresses are quick to replenish mixers.

Village Underground or email Village Underground

Stylish Chelsea club for the young and well connected.

Reviews:

• “If you’re lucky or savvy, you can make Marquee a Free night (besides cab)”
• “The most average club in town”
• “Fun time, but mediocre. Whats the big deal?”
• “Hands-down still one of the best parties in the city!”
• “JUST PLAIN DISGUSTING.”

Tips: A lower-level bar provides a touch of red and a little peace and quiet. You’ll want to reserve a banquette on weekend nights.

Marquee Night Club

Where savvy clubbers make themselves at home.

Reviews:

• “APT Best Place for a party”
• “This old place still has it!”
• “somehow it’s still fun”
• “The worse service of the city”
• “LOVE IT!!”

Tips: Gourmet potato chips with creme fraiche and caviar make a tasty snack.

APT

The multitiered mega-club is still kicking.

Reviews:

• “Great time!”
• “For a horrible time go to webster hall”
• “ITS A WHOLE LOT OF SPACE…….THATS IT”
• “no way this club is mean”
• “DONT GET RIPPED OFF AND SHOVED AROUND!!!!!”

Webster Hall

A rock-and-roll club decked out in Japonaise-chic.

Reviews:

• “nice place, horrible DJs”
• “sandra”
• “WORST CLUB CELEBRATION”
• “STAY AWAY FROM THIS DUMP”
• “Horrible bouncers, not worth it”

Tips: Start the night with sushi at the Maritime’s Matsuri.

Hiro

A taste of Indian’s cosmopolitan scene at this West Chelsea club.

Reviews:

• “Fantastic food. Superb service. All around good time. I would definitely go back.”
• “Good Fun!”
• “Horrible music, waterdown drinks and terrible service”
• “5 star and even more, 2 thumbs up!!”
• “must experience this earthy place!!!”

Tips: The mezzanine section under the cabana, overlooking the west side of Manhattan, opens in the spring.

Earth NYC or email Earth NYC

Head into the woods at this understated, chic hot spot in midtown.

Reviews:

• “Worst club I have been to, terrible DJ, ok looking crowd”
• “Branch”
• “Awesome time!”
• “Good Music, Fun Crowd, No Nasty Pervs”
• “Awesome music, good place for a small group of friends”

Tips: If you want to make a dramatic entrance on the weekend, show up after 12am, when the bar gets crowded.

Branch or email Branch