[Ed note: This article has been expanded with bonus online content.]
The Randolph at Broome packs ’em in so tight that no one will be able to see your two left feet.
Photograph: Nikola Tamindzic
The Randolph at Broome NEW
People who love to dance but can’t deal with the megaclubs of north Chelsea head to this narrow space, which has a
fairly low attitude quotient. Crowds pack the bar and downstairs lounge for sweaty deejayed dance parties that blend hip-hop, punk, soul and ’80s pop into a mix of boogie-worthy beats.
TIP: Get a thrifty buzz with a $30 pitcher of cocktails, which serves five or six people.
Average drink: $10. 49 Broome St between Bowery and Elizabeth St (212-274-0667).
Home Sweet Home
This unmarked bar devotes most of its humble space to a concrete dance floor, and it’s every bit as intimate as a kick-ass party in your parents’ basement. When they’re not showing off casually delivered Michael Jackson moves, the skinny-jeans set ogles taxidermied animals and creepy tchotchkes—or flirts with Chloë Sevigny, who’s been known to show up with the Bowery Ballroom after-party crowd.
TIP: At the Saturday “Solid Gold” parties, DJ group Young Lords spins everything from ’60s Brit invasion and ’80s pop to ’90s grunge.
Average drink: $7. 131 Chrystie St between Broome and Delancey Sts (212-226-5708). Bembe
Welcome to Miami. And Jamaica. And Rio. And St. Kitts. This Afro-Caribbean-Brazilian dance hall brings a sweaty cabana party to the Billyburg warehouse district. Dudes with rum breath manage to stay on the right side of sleazy, and the ladies wear a surprising amount of clothing—even as they’re sexing up the club’s giant hammock or fire-walking around the drummers.
TIP: If you’re intimidated by the weekenders’ expert moves, try breaking it down on a quieter Tuesday (rocksteady, roots, dub, reggae) or Wednesday (Afrobeat), when the crowds are thinner and the dance floor more forgiving.
Average drink: $5. 81 South 6th St at Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-387-5389). Socialista NEW
This Cuba-inspired West Village nightspot is worth the trek from the subway. The airy upstairs bar is a time machine thanks to a ’50s-era TV and radio, black-and-white tile floors and broken-in leather couches. Ceiling fans turn languidly while the crowd sways to dance-club hits.
TIP: The place opens at 10pm. Get there at 9:59 to stand a shot at getting in (but only if you can bear looking so eager).
Average drink: $16. 505 West St at Jane St (212-929-4303). Nexus Lounge
In an episode of
, Kramer dubbed First Avenue and 1st Street “the nexus of the universe.” We’re not sure we’d go that far, but we can attest to the fact that there’s a lot of fun taking place in this space beneath Irish pub One and One. And thanks to high ceilings and good feng shui (um, maybe just the minimal banquettes), the bar doesn’t feel claustrophobic—even when it’s totally packed.
TIP: Classics like “This Is How We Do It” and “Baby Got Back” get the ’90s children jiving. Abandon all urges to roll your eyes or don’t come. Average drink: $7. 76 E 1st St at First Ave (212-598-9126).
Home Sweet Home
This unmarked bar devotes most of its humble space to a concrete dance floor, and it’s every bit as intimate as a kick-ass party in your parents’ basement. When they’re not showing off casually delivered, Michael Jackson-esque moves, the skinny-jeans set ogles taxidermied animals and equally creepy tchotchkes displayed at the bar—or flirts with Chloë Sevigny, who’s been known to show up on weeknights with the Bowery Ballroom after-party crowd.
TIP: At the Saturday “Solid Gold” parties, DJ group Young Lords spins everything from ’60s Brit invasion and ’80s pop to ’90s grunge. Average drink: $631 Chrystie St between Broome and Delancey Sts (212-226-5708).
Columbus72
On Fridays, erstwhile patrons of the recently closed Copacabana grind to the live salsa band on the main dance floor from 6 until 10pm, when a pop DJ takes over the center room. “Hollaback Girl” and “Good Times” keep Columbia undergrads and Jersey pussycats busy throwing uninhibited (if amateur) moves, while the older, more chic, and primarily Latin (yes, club-footed gringos are welcome too) crowd sashays to salsa rhythms in the sexy red glow of the back room.
TIP: Admission is $10 unless you R.S.V.P. (by phone or e-mail) and arrive before midnight. Average drink: $9 246A Columbus Ave between 71st and 72nd Sts (212-769-1492).
Tenjune
As our Gossip Girl look-alike neighbor volunteered confidently, “There’s always the best party at Tenjune”—if you can get in, that is. The mood is decidedly convivial at this Meatpacking District basement hot spot—a favorite of Britney’s—as guest DJs deftly blend ’80s dance music with house and hip-hop for a mixed crowd of models, businesspeople and incipient celebrities.
TIP: Yes, there is a rope: To increase your chances with what can be a tough door, arrive early on a Thursday night. Average drink: $1026 Little W 12th St between Washington St and Ninth Ave (646-624-2410)
DJs
Deep Space
Every week, you see François K’s long-running spaced-out affair listed in our Clubs section, and every week you don’t go. It’s been five years. It’s time. This Monday, the Frenchman’s joined by Ras Kush (see Clubs listings) and Dec 3, Florian from Boozoo Bajou opens. Hit this—then 718 Sessions and Motherfucker—and we’ll stop making fun. Cielo, 18 Little W 12th St between Ninth Ave and Washington St (deepspacenyc.com)
Fixed
Go to the website for this three-year-old fest and listen to Dave P’s remixes of Klaxons and Bloc Party; even if you hate rock, you’ll bounce your head to what he and cospinner JDH can do. The next gig is Dec 8. Studio B, 259 Banker St between Calyer St and Meserole Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (myspace.com/fixednyc)
The Bunker
This four-year-old techno party hosts Shaun Reeves this week (see Clubs listings) and has a Thanksgiving Eve party with Bloody Mary from Berlin and Insideout from Clink. Galapagos, 70 North 6th St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (beyondbooking.com/thebunker)
PARTY KEY
It’s the perfect party place, but it’s up to you to start it up. Bring your friends. The party’s happening with or without you. Don’t get left behind—and don’t bring ten pals. Both! It’s going full steam and there’s room for you and your posse. Spuds MacKenzie would be proud.
Reported by: Dan Avery, T.J. Carlin,Erin Clements, Genevieve Ernst, Michael Freidson, Dustin Goot, Ashlea Halpern, Shakthi Jothianandan, Ethan LaCroix,Clare Lambe, Dan Lopez, Kate Lowenstein, Amy Plitt, Leslie Price, Adam Rathe,Katharine Rust, Drew Toal, Nicole Tourtelot, Alex Van Buren, Mimi Wong, Monika Fabian and Helen Yun
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