A Guide to My Favorite Dancing Bars in New York City
House of YES
Neighborhood: Bushwick *Brooklyn
Ambiance:
Feeling like going out, but also to a show? House of Yes is for you. Each night is a different theme. They have aerialists and they go all out with their decorations. Their music choices match their themes and the place seems like it is always packed.
You need to buy a ticket in advance if you want to make sure you don’t spend an hour waiting online outside. The bathroom line is ridiculously long at all times, but the dancing & atmosphere make it worth it.
Drinks:
House of YES is more about ambiance than drinks. I don’t have any complaints from my night there.
Overall Rating: 9/10
House of YES is a commitment because of the tickets and for most people, it is a trek to Brooklyn. With that being said, it is worth it and you should definitely go.
Hair of the Dog
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Ambiance:
Hair of the Dog was my go-to bar when I first graduated from college & it definitely caters to that crowd. There was never a night of bad music or an empty bar. If you are ready to dance and drink like you are still in college, this is the place for you.
Now that it has been a couple years since graduation, I have not had the drive to go back and endure this intensely crowded bar. This is another bar that I would go to with a big group of people.
Drinks:
No complaints about the drinks.
Overall Rating: 9/10
I have never had a night out here that did not involve chatting with strangers. Some people may see this as a plus and for others, a minus. Be prepared for that.
Common Ground
Neighborhood: Meatpacking District
Ambiance:
So I have been to Common Ground on a couple of occasions, with a couple of different crowds. What I have learned is it truly depends on the night you go. During the day, this spot is cool and has a great atmosphere for talking.
There is no dancing during the day, but I personally wish there was. At night, there is always a line and it is always packed. If you want to go there, you should go early unless you enjoy waiting outside watching everyone else have fun.
Drinks:
No complaints about the drinks. They were a little more expensive.
Overall Rating: 8/10
The vibe felt a little elitist which some people enjoy, but means this bar is not for everyone.
Brass Monkey
Neighborhood: Meatpacking District
Ambiance:
I was shocked that I had never heard of Brass Monkey before I went. It was packed & poppin’. The music was incredible. I was so impressed by every song that they played since there were a lot of throwbacks. This spot was crowded, but not too crazy that you couldn’t move. The bartenders were kind & quick. I will definitely return.
Since I wrote the above excerpt, I have returned during the day. The vibe transformed into a fun place to drink and talk to your friends, with no dancing. I am sensing a common theme of no one dancing during the day. How do I change this?
Drinks:
No complaints about the drinks.
Overall Rating: 10/10
I love a fun dancing bar with throwbacks. When a place transitions from day to night seamlessly, you know it is a great spot and brings in a fun crowd.
Bowery Electric
Neighborhood: Bowery
Ambiance:
I have only been to Bowery Electric one time on a Saturday night, but it was a lot of fun. We went straight downstairs, got our drinks, and headed to the dance floor. The downstairs area is small, but this only made the night more intimate.
There was a stage where some people dared to dance while great music was playing. I would be interested in going to this spot during the week to check out the crowd and live bands.
Drinks:
No complaints about the drinks.
Overall Rating: 8/10
While this spot was a ton of fun, on a night without a band, it did skew younger. I have a feeling the bands bring in a different crowd.