Whether you prefer showing off the latest hip hop moves, head banging to old fashioned rock n’ roll or kicking up your heels with a little country line dance action, the DC area is home to an awesome set of music and dance clubs. Grab a partner — or fly solo and make new friends — and head out to one of these best bet dance clubs.
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Price: $5 cover charge
Hours: Sun. – Thurs. – 7:30 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. and Sat. – 7:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Satisfy both your devilish and angelic side at Club Heaven and Hell. Featuring the largest dance floor in Adams Morgan, Club Heaven and Hell features multiple full-service bars, thematic dance parties (like 80s Night on Thursdays), pool tables and more. Heaven (upstairs) features a DJ, comfy seating and psychedelic artwork that glows among the black lights. Hell (downstairs) features a chilled out atmosphere with ragged bar stools, hardcore punk or rap music, plus wall murals of skeletons and grim reapers. Be sure to try the “666,” a specialty blood red shooter found only in Hell.
Price: $20 cover charge
Hours: Thurs. – 9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri. and Sat. – 9:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.
If a posh lounge is more your style, then head on over to Ultrabar. Known as DC’s ultra-exclusive, high energy nightclub, Ultrabar features multiple dance floors and full-service bars, elegant chandeliers, state-of-the-art lighting and modern decor. Listen to local and nationally renowned DJs as they spin tunes at the Main Floor. You can watch all the action from the Mezzanine or groove to Spanish tunes in the Bedroom. Other dance areas include the Basement, which features international music and Chroma, where VIPs can enjoy mahogany wood flooring, a private bar and suede couches. Ultrabar also features an open bar Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. plus table reservations and bottle service.
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Price: $5-$7 cover charge
Hours: Tues. – Fri. – 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat. – 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Nick’s Night Club, located in Alexandria, brings line dance lessons, delicious Texas-style wood-smoked barbecue and honky-tonk music to the DC area. At Nick’s, enjoy daily food and drink specials, live performances from local and nationally touring musical acts plus weekly karaoke contests. Nick’s provides a laid-back atmosphere where the bartenders are friendly and the patrons friendlier. Come early and learn how to swing or line dance for just $5 — partner not necessary– with free country line dance lessons on Tuesday nights. Cowboy hats and boots not required.
Hours: Wed. – Sat. – 6:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Spice up your night with a little Latin flavor — both in terms of music and food — at the Habana Village. Habana Village features Cuban cuisine, art and decor including delicious Cuban drinks (like mojitos), popular Latin dishes like empanadas and croquetas and live music. DJs spin only the best salsa, meringue and timba tunes along with popular Top 40 hits. The three-story nightclub features two dance floors, multiple full-service bars and plenty of seating, whether to take a break from all that Latin dancing or to play a round of dominoes. Fridays and Saturdays feature Latin Fusion Night with DJ Tuk on the third floor and a 5-piece band on the first floor.
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Price: $8 cover charge
Hours: Mon – Thurs – 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri – 5 p.m. to 3 a.m., Sat and Sun – 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Winner of more than half a dozen “best of” awards and known as DC’s premier gay lounge and nightspot, Cobalt has just what you need for a night of fun. The three-story establishment features a restaurant, lounge and dance floor on separate floors. Order a cocktail from one of many shirtless bartenders at 30Degrees, the club’s swanky lounge. You can also enjoy a delicious meal, like seafood, burgers and steaks, at Level One, the club’s own award-winning restaurant. Next, dance the night away at Cobalt. Every night features drink specials (like $5 martinis) as well as special events like karaoke on Mondays and Wednesdays, flashback tunes from the last few decades on Tuesdays and a best package contest on Thursdays.
Susan Diranian is a freelance writer living in Ashburn, VA. She is covering Travel & Outdoors. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.