The 13 Best Nightclubs in Boston

The place to be on a weekend night in the Seaport, The Grand is a Vegas-style nightclub, complete with VIP lounges and bottle service. Its opulent entryway opens to showcase a regal glass staircase leading down to the dance floor, while accents of gold, leather and plush velvet add an air of majesty to the atmosphere. Jersey Shore alum DJ Pauly D is a regular, who stops in to spin beats. There’s plenty of space to dance and several bars to enjoy, but most of the floor space consists of special VIP tables that can be reserved online. And The Grand’s VIP experience is among the best. As its website states, “VIP is not dead. It’s your time to live. So hang on for dear life.” What’re you waiting for?

It’s pretty clear why this nightspot located under the W Boston is called Tunnel. Strings of LED lights line the walls and ceiling of the long narrow room (the ‘tunnel’) of this downtown Boston dance club. The whole space is a dance floor, and the lights complement the rhythm of the DJ’s beats. A full bar runs the length of the room, making it easy to find a spot to step in to order your next round. There’s no need to stop the party at Tunnel, so keep it going all night long at this trendy Boston club (until the clock strikes 2am, that is).

The sparkling new Encore casino is home to the city’s hottest nightclub, Mémoire. This is the place to see and be seen, with celebrity DJs such as Shaquille ‘DJ Diesel’ O’Neal and Steve Aoki spinning the type of house tunes that are sure to get you shimmying onto the dance floor in your latest LBD or dashing dress shirt. Combining high-tech video with the glamour of old Hollywood, Mémoire invites you to rewrite your night and lose yourself in luxury.

First-class restaurant by day, international nightclub by night, Good Life is full of surprises. Here, DJs from around the world spin everything from Latin and EDM to today’s latest hits. And if you want a more intimate setting, head downstairs to the darker and smaller lounge. Try something new from its creative cocktails list (Barry’s Booze Camp, anyone?). And if you need some pre-dancing fuel, take a peek at its eclectic dinner menu, which features everything from house-made guac to greens and bowls.

This Boston staple is always a great place to be on a Saturday night. The venue is classy during the day (as a tapas and wine bar with a New Orleans speakeasy feel) and naughty at night. Along with bottle service and a live DJ keeping the people moving and the party rolling, go-go dancers complete the seductive atmosphere of this club. Storyville is located in the historic Back Bay and hints at Boston’s past life by featuring exposed brick and furniture that looks straight out of a Clue-style billiards room.

Another Theater District hotspot, Venu is as expensive as it looks and so worth the price tag. This sleek, cosmopolitan nightclub caters to a sophisticated clientele, inviting you to dress to the nines (especially if you want to get ahead in line post the 11pm rush). Energetic DJs play everything from Latin and hip-hop to pop hits, enticing you to dance the night away as the uber-sexy beats pulse through the air. The luxurious decor adds to the chic vibes and upscale atmosphere, where beautiful people lounge, dance, drink and socialize, making memories they’ll never forget (or remember).

A top spot in Boston’s college scene, Wonder Bar in the lively Allston neighborhood is nothing short of a good time. Live music, legendary DJs and a jam-packed dance floor make this college club the best place to party in West Boston. To make your night extra special, check out Wonder Bar’s bottle service, and kick back as your personal bartender prepares your drinks tableside. If you’re not a fan of the music upstairs, try the more intimate downstairs floor, which offers a whole other set of tunes. Wonder Bar features top artists seven nights a week, who play everything from dubstep and glitch hop to blues and funk.