17 best clubs for a great night of dancing in Boston

What is it? A small but mighty club in the Theater District that pulls out all the stops—namely high-tech lighting and sound—for electronic music aficionados.

Why we love it: Bijou brings in an impressive roster of house, techno, and EDM DJs from around the globe, plus its light shows, with LEDs and lasers that sync to the music, are pretty rad. The space is small and intimate, loud and crowded, but you can spread out in two rooms to find reprieve. The "Onyx Lounge" hosts the main dance floor with DJs, while the "Gold Lounge" is a more relaxed area with seating.

Time Out tip: Check promoter pages for free or discounted tickets to some events. 

Address: 51 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Thu–Sat 10pm–2am

Expect to pay: Cover charges vary depending on the talent spinning that night; think $25 to $50 or more. Cocktails will run you $15+.

What is it? A minimal and futuristic dance floor in the basement of the W Hotel that maintains a raw and unpolished atmosphere while emphasizing established and emerging global DJs playing house, techno, breakbeats, garage, and EDM.

Why we love it: Formerly known as Tunnel, the W's ultra-cool club and lounge does actually resemble a tunnel inside some sort of futuristic space vessel. bsmnt's space is visually striking, with curvy couches, sleek decor, and multi-colored lighting creating a curving effect on the ceiling that punctuates the "underground subway" feel. Other than that, lighting effects are minimal, thanks to bsmnt's decision to eschew state-of-the-art lighting to focus more on the sound you're getting. This is where you come for a raging nightclub feel but on a smaller, underground-feeling scale; the space only holds 200 people.

Time Out tip: Arrive early for a higher chance of getting in and, if you're lucky, a less-expensive cover. One of our writers told us that the bouncers can be tough, so expect a little back and forth before you weasel your way in.

Address: 100 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Thu 10pm–2am; Fri, Sat 9:30pm–2am

Expect to pay: Cover charges range between $10 and $20, but can be up to $50 on holidays and special events. Expect to pay $15 to $20+ for cocktails.

What is it? A bustling yet unpretentious lounge in Central Square where DJs spin the best underground dance music around.

Why we love it: Unlike the grand scale of mega-clubs like Royale and The Grand, Middlesex Lounge is smaller (capacity around 120-150 people) and offers a more intimate, less overwhelming atmosphere. It often feels more like a chic, high-energy bar that happens to have a fantastic sound system and a dance floor, rather than a sprawling multi-room club. Middlesex is dedicated to quality electronic music, specifically house, techno, and underground, so nights here are usually about the music and the people who love it. Check with the venue to learn about electronic nights, queer dance parties, and special guests.

Time Out tip: Parking is rough in Central Square, so an Uber or train ride is almost essential. Good thing Middlesex Lounge is situated near the Central Square station.

Address: 315 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Opening hours: Thu–Sat 5pm–2am

Expect to pay: Cover charges range from $5 to $15 for a regular night, while ticket prices for special DJ events can range between $15 and $30. Drinks are moderately priced. Expect $4 to $10 for beers, $10 to $14 for mixed drinks, and $8 to $12 for wines.

What is it? Boston's most high-end nightlife experience. Think sweaty bodies, thumping music, crazy light shows …

Why we love it: When you want that Vegas-style kind of night out. At 12,000 square feet, The Grand is massive and opulent, with a glass staircase and surfaces awash in gold, plush fabrics, and marble. Every night out here feels like a "high-production" event, complete with a lineup of international DJs, incredible lighting effects from its state-of-the-art kinetic light system, and a massive 70-foot LED wall that showcases wild video projections from a live VJ.

Time Out tip: You're gonna have to dress up a bit for this one. The Grand enforces a "smart and elegant" dress code, which basically eschews anything that could be considered sportswear. So no caps, tennis shoes, athletic shorts, etc.

Address: 58 Seaport Blvd #300, Boston, MA 02210

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 10pm–2am

Expect to pay: Expect to pay a $20 to $50 entry fee on a low-key night. Tickets can be more expensive when there's a big-name DJ playing. Buying in advance scores you the best prices.

What is it? Another historic Boston venue turned sexy nightclub. Part of Pasha Entertainment (of Venu and Icon fame), Hava delivers high-energy nightlife within the settings of a sultry lounge where you can sit back with beautiful people and sip tempting cocktails. And no, "Hava Club" is not short for Havana Club, which is a totally different thing (see above).

Why we love it: Originally designed to be the ladies' lounge and orchestra area for the Wilbur Theatre, Hava exudes a 1920s, Art Deco vibe with its checkered floors, architectural leather sofas, circular bars, and cool, design-y chandeliers. Hava typically plays a mix of high-energy mainstream music, often including Top 40, EDM, hip-hop, and R&B, which is nice when you don't love dancing to the thump-thump of techno. Come here when you want a full club experience without the massive scale of mega clubs like The Grand.

Time Out tip: Check Hava's website or social media for guest list options. While not a guarantee of entry, being on a guest list can sometimes offer reduced admission or slightly faster entry.

Address: 246 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 10:30pm to close

Expect to pay: The cover charge generally ranges from $25 to $35, but it can be higher for special events, holidays, or if a very popular DJ is performing. Cocktails can cost anywhere from $16 to $20+. Beers and wine go for around $8 to $10, and cans of Red Bull cost $8.

What is it? Once a major gay club, Venu has evolved into a sleek, trend-chasing hotspot in Boston, where patrons come to splurge on bottle service and dance the night away. This is the place to go when you want to impress a date with your wallet or go hog wild with friends after a particularly good bonus.

Why we love it: While house and techno beats frequently fill the packed floor, you'll also find a healthy dose of Latin music on certain nights, and Sundays get lively with international sounds like soca, dancehall, and Afrobeat. "Entourage Saturdays" are a prime draw, often featuring big crowds, so arrive early and dress to impress to boost your chances of getting past the door.

Time Out tip: Expect a sky-high cover charge and pricey drinks, but for those with the cash, a guaranteed good time awaits.

Address: 100 Warrenton St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 10:30pm to close

Expect to pay: Venu typically charges a cover charge of $25 to $30. Cocktails run $15 to $20, while beers and wine run around $7 and $10, respectively.

What is it? An ultra-trendy nightclub experience inside the old Charles Street Jail, now the luxurious, five-star Liberty Hotel.

Why we love it: Alibi, situated in the former "drunk tank" at the Charles Street Jail, stays on brand with nods to the building’s criminal past, featuring brick walls, barred windows, and cell doors that make you feel like you're partying somewhere you shouldn't. Couches are strewn about the space, so you and your crew can collapse with a drink while watching all the beautiful people pass by. While this lounge isn’t a full-on club like others on this list, it does feature bumping beats from live DJs every Thursday through Saturday, and there’s plenty of room for you to get down and dance.

Time Out tip: During warmer months, Alibi throws open its doors to a chic and spacious outdoor patio that fits up to 100 guests. The off-street locale is a rare find in surrounding Beacon Hill, so take advantage!

Address: 15 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–1am, Thu–Sat 5pm–2am, Sun 5–11pm

Expect to pay: Alibi graciously doesn't instate a cover charge, but drinks can be up there, price-wise, ranging anywhere from $15 to $30.

What is it? Boston's busiest and most well-known gay bar. The dance floor rages on weekends, but during slower hours, Club Café also functions as a bistro, piano bar, and performance venue where you can catch anything from karaoke and drag to cabaret and Golden Girls Bingo.

Why we love it: This is the place to be when you just want to let loose and be yourself. Throw on some sparkly eye shadow; do something wild and cutting edge to your hair. It is a gay bar, after all; all the boys will love it. Plus, the music is fantastic—an energetic mix of hip-hop, Latin house, and modern pop remixes. Lights, video screens, and mirrors surrounding the modest dance floor make it seem like you're in a much larger space. The vibe is friendly, open, and young and sexually diverse.

Time Out tip: Arrive well before 10:30 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to avoid the line and cover charge.

Address: 209 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Mon–Wed, Sun 4pm–midnight; Thu–Sat 4pm–2am

Expect to pay: A $10 cover charge on busy nights, then maybe another $25 for a couple cocktails—less if you're drinking beer / water.

What is it? Icon is a splashy, sassy venue in the Theater District, featuring more than 7,000 square feet of space and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.

Why we love it: A full-blown club experience with different types of music. Unlike some clubs that stick to one genre, Icon plays a variety of music, including Latin, house, hip-hop, R&B, EDM, and Top 40 hits—sometimes all in one night. There are two rooms, or "music zones," within Icon, giving you the chance to move from vibe to vibe depending on what you're feeling that night.

Time Out tip: Like all clubs of this type, a dress code is pretty strictly enforced. Avoid athletic wear, caps, open-toed shoes, etc.

Address: 100 Warrenton St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 10pm to close

Expect to pay: The cover charge is steep, usually $30 to $40 a head, and sometimes more depending on who's spinning that night. Cocktail prices are typical for Boston, from $15 to $20 per drink.

What is it? The first lesbian bar to open in Boston in decades, Dani's Queer Bar debuted on Boylston in 2024, taking over the former Pour House location. This Back Bay haunt offers frequent dance nights, mixers, drag performances, and other events in an energetic, queer-friendly space.

Why we love it: Dani's fills a much-needed void in Boston's LGBTQ+ nightlife, providing a dedicated and vibrant space for sapphic women, trans, and non-binary individuals and their allies. The vibe transitions throughout the day: in the afternoon and early evening, Dani's feels like your everyday neighborhood pub, albeit one with a distinctly queer-friendly atmosphere. On weekends, the energy ramps up when the downstairs bar and dance floor open for raucous basement dance parties. DJs spin a mix of hip-hop, Top 40, Reggaeton, and Afro Beats—music that makes you want to twerk even if your body won't allow it. Be aware, the dance floor is TINY, so prepare for sweaty, bumping-and-grinding encounters.

Time Out tip: To avoid lines that can sometimes stretch up to 45 minutes on busy nights, aim to arrive around 8pm. Grab a drink at the bar and soak in the evolving energy as the crowd starts to pour in.

Address: 907 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–midnight; Thu, Fri 4pm–2am; Sat, Sun 11am–2am

Expect to pay: Expect to pay between $5.50 and $17 per drink, with cocktails being the priciest option and canned beers the most affordable. If you're planning on having multiple drinks, budget around $20-$40+ for your visit.

What is it? At 33,000 square feet, Royale is perhaps Boston's largest dance club.

Why we love it: For nightclubbing in a massive, multi-story, historic venue that has all the modern bells and whistles. Originally built in 1918 as a ballroom to the now-gone Hotel Bradford and most formerly known as the storied nightclub The Roxy, Royale is bedecked in classical architecture—from a grand staircase and theatre-style balconies to ornate ceilings and gilded chandeliers. But when the lights go down, it's full-on 2020s, with a bumping sound system, lighting effects, and, just like some of the modern clubs in and around Boston, LED walls that flash and gleam as you dance the night away.

Time Out tip: The Royale isn't just a dance club; it's also a performance venue, mainly hosting global DJs and large-scale concerts for EDM and house music artists. Keep your eyes peeled for a show there.

Address: 279 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 10pm–2am

Expect to pay: Expect a $20 to $30 cover charge, depending on the night and the caliber of the DJ. Ticket prices to special events run in the $50 to $175 range. Drinks will run you $10 to $15 a pop.

What is it? This glamorous music venue captures the essence of luxury music halls and supper clubs of the past, but with a state-of-the-art sound system, massive LED walls surrounding the stage, high-tech lighting effects, and global superstar DJs, thanks to its Live Nation affiliation. 

Why we love it: For a seamless concert-meets-high-end-club experience. The space features luxury seating, beautiful decor, several bars, mezzanine viewing, and VIP areas. Many nights, the club gets spillover from concerts happening at next-door TD Garden, where patrons are ready to keep the party going. Accommodating up to 2,000 guests, with multiple levels and bars, Big Night Live provides ample space for dancing and socializing without feeling too cramped.

Time Out tip: The area directly in front of the stage, the pit, gets jam-packed. If you're looking for more dance space, try the far side of the building by the windows on the main floor. This area often fills up last and still offers good visibility.

Address: 110 Causeway St, Boston, MA 02114

Opening hours: Dependent on scheduled events

Expect to pay: Tickets to live events range anywhere from $20 to $150+, depending on the DJ. Beers will run you $10 to $14, while mixed drinks can be anywhere from $14 to $20+. 

What is it? Part sports (particularly soccer) bar, part dance club, this space really comes alive at night when its pub-like interior transforms into an unpretentious dance spot specializing in underground dance music.

Why we love it: Phoenix Landing lacks the polish of other local dance clubs, but that's part of its casual charm. The dance floor is tiny, but its catalog of tunes is huge. Keep an eye out for popular ’80s nights, plus DJs spinning hip-hop, reggae, house, techno, new wave, dubstep, and more.

Time Out tip: On club nights, you can typically get into Phoenix Landing without paying a cover if you show up before 9:30 PM; otherwise, expect to pay $5 to $10 to enter.

Address: 512 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Opening hours: Phoenix Landing is open every night of the week till 2am. Dancing usually begins around 10pm.

Expect to pay: Besides the cover charge, bring money for drinks, which are reasonably priced, especially for Boston. Beers go from $5 to $11, cocktails between $9 and $14, and wines $10 to $14 per glass.

What is it? A gastropub in Dorchester that turns into a full-blown gay disco on particular nights after the lights go down.

Why we love it: This former Irish pub still boasts its dark wood interior, but now, it features a lengthy martini list and an upscale menu from chef Chris Coombs. After dinner hours on "Magnum Saturdays," the restaurant turns on the smoke machines, lights, and rib-shaking subwoofers, and suddenly, the space belongs to a lively, LGBTQ-friendly crowd dancing the night away. The fun continues during the "Tea Dance" on Sunday afternoons, which brings nightclub vibes to the afternoon so you can party one more time before getting in bed for Monday. Showtune Tuesdays and Friday night karaoke are a blast, too, but less of a club night than participatory revelry.

Time Out tip: dbar is pretty small as far as dance clubs go, so consider arriving around 9:30 or 10pm to get in before the line starts and so you can find a good spot on the dance floor.

Address: 1236 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125

Opening hours: dbar is open till 1am on Tuesday nights, 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and 9pm on Sundays for the Tea Dance. dbar After Dark usually gets going around 10pm. 

Expect to pay: dbar After Dark is deliciously cover-free. Once inside, expect to pay around $12 to $16 for cocktails, $6 to $11 for beers, and $10 to $15 for wines and sparkling beverages.

What is it? Another pub turned nightclub that's hugely popular with college crowds. A great place if you're just looking to get wasted and dance.

Why we love it: During the week, Ned Devine’s is just another Irish pub in Faneuil Hall, serving fish and chips, award-winning clam chowder, corned beef, Guinness onion soup, and other Éire-inspired fare. But on the weekends, this massive, top-floor joint transforms into a popular club where folks—mostly college students and recent grads—can find several bars, live music, and dancing. The music here doesn't typically come from DJs but live cover bands, offering more of a concert or indoor-music-festival kind of vibe. These are the songs you know and love, particularly big hits from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, and the bands encourage big crowd sing-alongs.

Time Out tip: Ned Devine's suggests downloading the LineLeap app to pay cover in advance, which can help you skip the lines, which can get pretty lengthy on weekends.

Address: 1 N Market St, Boston, MA 02109

Opening hours: Dancing and live bands usually happen on Friday and Saturday nights from around 10pm to 1:30am.

Expect to pay: Budget around $50 to $70 for a night out at Ned Devine's, for the $10 cover and drinks.

What is it? Salsa and bachata are the dances of choice at this Cambridge nightclub, located inside the Greek American Political Club.

Why we love it: Evenings out at this Central Square spot are all about practicing your dance moves, feeling the rhythm, and having a great time. Mondays and Tuesdays are alcohol-free to allow for an 18+ crowd, but every Thursday through Saturday is a straight-up dance party with a full bar.

Time Out tip: Don't worry about your skills or bringing a partner—a welcoming community of dancers is there to help you learn, and lessons are available each evening before the party gets started. Lessons typically begin about an hour before dance parties, but check the venue's website for up-to-date info.

Address: 288 Green St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Opening hours: Mon 8pm–midnight; Tue 8–11pm; Thu 8:30pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 9pm–2am; Sun 7–11:30pm

Expect to pay: A cover charge of $10 to $15 typically applies on salsa and bachata dance nights. Drink prices are pretty standard for the Boston area, with cocktails ranging from $14 to $16, beers in bottles and cans from $7 to $8, and wine by the glass $13 to $15.

What is it? Another flashy, Vegas-style nightclub just outside the city in the massive and decadent Encore Boston Harbor casino complex in Everett.

Why we love it: Mémoire gives you that over-the-top nightclub experience in a large open space—the dance floor is big enough to hold 650 swaying bodies. Everything here is top-tier and state-of-the-art, from the sound system to the fog machines to the stunning video and lighting technologies, including an awesome LED chandelier hanging above the floor that changes colors throughout songs and showers Mémoire's dance floor with a spectacular light show. For you high-rollers, there's also bottle service and VIP-section availability.

Time Out tip: The place reaches capacity around midnight and 1am, so consider arriving well before then to miss lines and/or the chance of being turned away due to overcapacity. Try to buy anything in advance for the best deals and line-cutting opportunities.

Address: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149

Opening hours: Fri, Sat 10pm–2am

Expect to pay: Tickets to events at Mémoire can range anywhere from $30 to $150, depending on who's spinning. Cocktails range from around $15 to $20 each.