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New Yorkers from all over the five boroughs flock to Long Island City because it offers beautiful sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. But LIC’s nightlife is an attraction worth seeing too. Check out the deejayed parties and dance venues that have put this buzzy New York City neighborhood on the map.

Penthouse808 Rooftop

Bar, Asian

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

Bar, American

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.

Melrose Ballroom

Concert Hall

Melrose Ballroom
© Melrose Ballroom

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.

Doha Nightclub and Lounge

Nightclub, American

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.

Warm Up at MoMA PS1

Museum

MoMA PS1 Warm Up
© jeffrey montes / Flickr

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.

Bungalo Lounge Bar

Bar, American

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.

ICON

Bar, Gay Bar, American

ICON
© ICON

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.

About the author

Splitting her time between Miami and New York, Julia is a writer currently based in Brooklyn. She enjoys foreign films, 70s cookbooks, and bad detective novels.

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