The best nightclubs in D.C. to party all night

You haven't truly partied until you've experienced a night at Park. This hybrid hotspot, or clubstaurant as the locals say, boasts a devoted fanbase, especially during their weekend brunch that features endless mimosas and killer beats (hip-hop, afrobeats, R&B). The party spills into the evening so grab a late-night bite, opt for some bottle service, and hit the dance floor.

A typical sports bar on most nights—when football games are shown on a big screen and $15 buckets of Bud are on offer—transforms into a very different scene on Friday and Saturday, when you'll find locals dancing under disco balls until 3am to what the bar describes as bubbly pop. Return to the longtime favorite the next morning for a Saturday or Sunday drag brunch that includes an all-you-can-eat buffet.

This colorful venue serves an array of Latin American dishes throughout the day, but turns into a dance club starting at 10pm. DJs spin Latin house, pop, and reggaeton tunes, alongside salsa and bachata. Head here early for occasional salsa lessons, then unwind with bottle service.

Enter and walk up the stairs to find a bar, some tables, and a small dance floor. Head up another set of stairs to find a rooftop bar decked out with a DJ booth, a larger dance floor, and VIP tables (which need to be reserved ahead, of course). Regulars appreciate the strong drinks, the hookah, and pulsing hip-hop and R&B.

Renowned DJs like Martin Garrix and Zedd have hit this audiophile-friendly space (the club’s music technology includes a German-imported system complemented by 4-inch thick soundproof foam in the walls and ceiling). Choose between EDM parties featuring house, trance and more; hip-hop nights; and Avalon Saturdays, when LGBTQ Washingtonians take over the dance floor with glowsticks and body paint. The 85-plus lighting fixtures will capture your attention after the sound system pulls you in. While the club is 18+ Wednesday through Friday, it’s 21+ on Saturdays.

This cool weekend spot mixes Victorian-style decor with a live DJ set. The founder, a well-known breakdancer, sometimes brings a few b-boy talents to the dance floor. DJs perform from the upper level while the dance floor below gets heated. Go here for drink specials when you want to keep the party going until 3am.

This lavish restaurant and lounge serves up a cabaret experience before transforming into a dance club with bottle service on weekends. Step inside the open space—featuring a 60-foot high ceiling—and take in Versailles-inspired crystal chandeliers and golden accents. While a mix of house and Top 40 music is sure to amuse, the standout here is the live entertainment from the 20-foot enclosed stage over the first-floor bar. Performances range from modern ballet to acrobatic pole dancing, and aerialists sometimes descend from above the lounge’s dance floor.

At Flash, you've got three options: the club level, decked out with top-notch sound, mesmerizing lights; a dance floor; and a bar. The ground floor has its own dance space and special cocktails like a barrel-aged Negroni. For electronica fans, there's a rooftop dance floor. The atmosphere is always buzzing, with DJs flying in from all corners of the world to spin on weekends.

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Alice on U has it all. This multi-floor club brings you an arcade with games, a bar, and a dance floor pumping a mix of Top 40, hip-hop and R&B hits. Wrap up your night by heading down to the ground floor's pho shop, where you can grab banh mi sandwiches and steaming bowls of pho to take home with you. Not much more you can ask for from your local club.

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Start your evening at Elements, savoring well-made cocktails and digging into hot wings and fries before 8pm. Once the clock strikes 8, the bar transforms into a dance floor. In this four-story club, each level showcases a unique elemental theme: red lava lamps represent fire, blue walls and strobe lights represent water. Whether you're unwinding with drinks or tearing up the dance floor, Elements has your evening covered.

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Decades sparks strong opinions. Love it or hate it, there's one thing everyone agrees on: this Dupont club is a city staple. True to its name, it's a time-travel experience with floors dedicated to the 90s, 2000s, and present-day. Get ready for a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and Top 40 hits, surrounded by various bars, cocktails, and hookah options. To fully savor the scene, go with a big group and take advantage of the ample space and the dual dance rooms.