The 7 Best Nightclubs in Long Island City, NYC

Penthouse808 Rooftop ticks off every box on your list of nightclub essentials: roomy floor space, a talented DJ, and bottle service. Throw in some stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Queensboro Bridge and 9,500 square feet (883 square meters) of indoor and outdoor space, however, and this lounge atop The Raven Hotel becomes anything but basic.

L.I.C. Bar is always a good idea. This neighborhood spot is dog-friendly and shows sports on its TV, and on Sundays during the summer, it hosts popular dance parties soundtracked by live music. As for the other six days of the week, the L.I.C. Bar is roomy (and relaxed!) enough to accommodate your desire to dance at any time.

Occupying a whopping 25,000 square feet (2,323 square meters), Melrose Ballroom is more than three times the size of the average nightclub. The massive venue makes the most of its two stories by featuring three dance floors and large crowds brought in by international DJs and artists such as FKA Twigs and Rihanna.

Big groups with even bigger differences in musical tastes will love Doha Nightclub and Lounge. Traditional only in appearance, this nightclub is known for its eclectic musical offerings, which have included everything from electric violinists to throwback-loving DJs to live performances.

Each summer, the Big Apple’s hottest dance parties take place in a setting you wouldn’t expect. Consider MoMA PS1’s Warm Up, the world-famous art institution’s most experimental exhibition yet. Live performances by international DJs and musicians, floor space featuring life-size art installations, and an outdoor dance party make for one of MoMA’s greatest masterpieces.

Admission to Bungalo Lounge Bar earns patrons a free drink voucher, which they’ll need in order to keep hydrated after a spin on the club’s energetic dance floor. When a break is necessary, hookah and Buddha-themed décor, not to mention live DJ performances and themed playlists, continue the fun.

Technically, this beloved Queens gay bar is in LIC-adjacent Astoria, but its weekend dance parties and perfect five-star Yelp rating earn it a spot on your radar. At ICON’s Friday and Saturday night parties, LGBTQ New Yorkers and their allies dance to tunes from live DJs while drag divas Jan Sport and Rosé emcee.