Best Dance Clubs in Phoenix

Situated in the scenic open desert just south of downtown Phoenix in Chandler, the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino offers top-notch nightlife entertainment. Live music from legendary artists happens in the Ovations Showroom, and the resort offers many lounges and bars. But if you're looking to dance the night away, head over to Chrome Nightclub, the hotel resort's hip and sexy dance lounge. The dance club features many of the area's best DJs, a spacious dance floor, and a small army of talented cocktail mixologists behind the bar. Late night revelers take note: Chrome is only open on Friday and Saturday nights.

Charlie's Phoenix is a friendly and popular central Phoenix country-inflected gay nightclub that's known for its hot dance floor, fun karaoke nights, and a sprawling patio where the good times go on (nearly) all night. Out front, you'll find one of central Phoenix's most popular taco trucks, and inside you'll find a friendly crowd enjoying drinks and music. If you've been wanting to sharpen up your line-dancing skills, Charlie's is a pretty good place to practice, especially if you have a penchant for two-stepping and country line-dancing. The bar regularly also hosts local and national personalities, as well as special events.

Part concert venue, bar, and kitchen, the Crescent Ballroom is one of downtown Phoenix's newest hot spots. The Crescent Lounge hosts free nightly music, while the ballroom sees some of the country's top touring acts perform on the intimate stage. This renovated warehouse-turned-music venue features hardwood floors, exposed brick and vaulted ceilings, all adding to the character of this unique nightlife destination. The Ballroom has become one of downtown Phoenix's most exciting music venues, drawing acclaimed national touring artists and providing a stage for local up-and-comers. Aside from the great food and music, the lounge at Crescent Ballroom is an excellent place to mingle with the downtown crowd.

If electronic dance music and fashion are your twin passions, it's time to hit the dance floor at the Monarch Theatre. The dance floor throbs at this downtown Phoenix dance club, located right off the light rail on Washington Street. The club holds a little more than 700 people and features a 30,000 watt sound system. The visual and lighting systems are also state of the art, which lend the club with a high-energy, visually stimulating dance club experience. The club frequently hosts some of the top DJs in the country and holds special events like fashion shows and corporate gigs. Bring your A-game in terms of fashion, because this place attracts the region's fashionistas.

This sleek downtown nightlife venue features over 10,000 square feet of space to roam, drink, meet and be merry. Drinks are served at a three-sided island bar surrounded by plush lounge sofa sectionals, perfect for sipping on your hand-crafted specialty cocktail. The neon-lit dance floor features nothing less than confetti canons, C02 blasts and haze machines. A raised stage is surrounded by a DJ booth, state of the art and scrimmed cut-outs featuring the silhouettes of the club's live go-go dancers. GypsyBar's also features a game lounge featuring 40 arcade games in an adult-oriented environment. Young, hip and an eyeful every night.

This low-key "old school" bar is family owned and operated and a good place to find yourself on a Saturday night if you're in the mood to dance. The original pop art on the walls and diverse clientele offers a nice cross-section of Phoenicians mingling the night away by the bar, or burning up the dance floor. The come-as-you-are atmosphere at Rip's has a dash of hipster cool, but not enough to dampen the sheer unpretentiousness of the place. Original art on the walls, regular live music, and drinks that are both stiff and cheap, means this is the perfect place to come for a night of sweaty good fun.

Char's (pronounced with a "sh," not a "ch") promises an unpretentious evening of good music in cozy environs. Most of the audience isn't more than a few steps from the stage, so the immediacy of the blues is right there in front of you. A varied audience checks out the tunes nightly, and many times, they hit the dance floor as the music moves them. Some basic food is available for munching, and a pool table offers a between-sets option. One of the city's best live-music venues. There is live music every single night of the week, making this one of the city's most active live music venues. The dance floor is tiny, but it's almost always swinging.

Begin with a cozy, no-frills venue, add in top blues and jazz acts from the area and around the country, and toss in fans of great tunes and lively performances, and you've got one of Phoenix's best-loved music venues. The Rhythm Room draws crowds regularly, and the place can get smoky at times, but for raw-edged, top-notch blues and more, the place can't be beaten. In fact, if you're not hitting the dance floor before long, or at least tapping your toes, folks may begin to look warily at you. Just give yourself over. This is the Valley's top destination for live blues.

The Duce is one of those downtown Phoenix spots that has earned a special place in many people's Saturday nights. "Where Pretty Meets Gritty" is the tagline on The Duce's signage, a description that captures this warehouse-meets-vintage-market hang out spot. On one side of the converted warehouse, you'll find stalls selling vintage wares, ping pong tables, an ice cream parlor, and a couple of cocktail bars. On weekend nights, come here to dance the night away on the colorful dance floor, which is replete with hula hoops, vinyl decor, specialty cocktails served in mason jars, and a DJ that plays a nice mix of retro and modern hits.

Downtown Phoenix scenesters crowd the small but busy dance floor at Bar Smith, a hip downtown bar, lounge and club located steps away from major attractions such as the US Airways Center and Chase Field. Swanky couches let you take a break from dancing while providing an excellent perch for people-watching. A friendly bar staff and diverse crowd make this sleek club a nice break from the college student crowds found in Tempe and Scottsdale. Enjoy one of the best city views on the rooftop bar, which can be a fist-pumping spectacle or laid-back urban sanctuary, depending on the night of the week.