Top 5 EDM Clubs in New York City

NYC is home to all sorts of dance music spots. You can get down with a different scene every night if you wanted. Check one of these on your next time out.

(Photo by Vikram Vetrivel)

Just a quick walk from the Bedford Ave L train and you’re in hipster haven Williamsburg. Once inside Output, a large dancefloor with two levels awaits. That is unless Disclosure or some other trendy name comes through. Then it’s a fire hazard waiting to happen.

Scenesters and dance-music junkies mix together. One minute you can be rubbing elbows with a former Twilo regular. The next could be someone who knows less about the scene than Aiden Jude does about puberty. Output has a chill feel for a big room. Be sure to get there soon. Otherwise you won’t be able to say you knew about it before it got “too popular.”

Side note: Output has a “no cameras or phones” policy on the dancefloor so you focus on the music rather than your Instagram.

This decade-old Meatpacking District venue is one to hit up for a change of pace. The intimate room of Cielo makes you feel like you’re in a lounge more than a club. Couches surround the dancefloor for those early enough to stake out a spot. It can feel like a chilled-out night. That is, until it all kicks off.

Old and new-school house and trance fans mix on the floor that is an arm’s reach from the DJs. On some nights you may run into the ‘Thirsty Thursday” college crowd in their best $10 dress shirt dancing like zombies. The colorful lighting will give you the big room vibe in a close space.

The three-room East Village Webster Hall venue offers a variety of music and experiences each night. There isn’t a dress code, but be sure to dress-up more on certain nights. Themed nights are constantly going on, including Saturday mainstays Brite Nites and BASSment Saturdays. A night here can get expensive if you don’t pre-order your tickets. $30 door prices and $15 drinks can add up quick.

Consider this place if you’re in search of PLUR or a younger crowd (ometimes too young of a crowd). Leave your expensive items at home and avoid the occasional used car salesmen style promoters. Do that and you should be able to find a good time.

This two-level party palace is tucked away downtown. The dark Santos Party House venue has won several awards from multiple publications including best club, DJ night and dancefloor. They back up their name. The two stages cater to all genres as long as they bring the party.

If you’re looking for a crowd that’s in it just for the music, then you may want to look elsewhere. The party crowd includes barely-legal partiers getting wasted. This could be a problem if you get stuck next to them. Good luck moving because the party house is almost always packed. Dress to impress.

For a large concert experience, head to Terminal 5. The Hell’s Kitchen setting will take you out of the way, but it’s not too far out. The venue was set up for rock shows, and sometimes it’s apparent; the acoustics at EDM shows can get muffled. Navigate to the middle of the floor and you should be fine. Get there early to do that.

If you get separated from your friends, good luck. This place is massive. For more space, be sure to head upstairs. Casual dress code ensures you won’t be sweating in the crowd. Long nights won’t happen here since they close at 1 a.m., so start the party early.