10 Great Places to Go Dancing in D.C.
Brunch is great. Museums are nice. Walks are fine. But every so often, people get the urge to move a little bit and break out of their comfort zone. Enter: D.C.’s best dance halls. From clubs where you can rage through the early morning hours, to music halls with themed dance night, to retro, soca, and swing dancing, D.C. seems to have something for everyone.
Wonderland Ballroom - Cleveland Park
Wonderland Ballroom is known for its full calendar of events in Cleveland Park. From comedy shows to taco Tuesdays, there’s always something going on here. Friday and Saturday nights are no different. These nights are dedicated to featuring DJs and are free to attend.
Cloak & Dagger - U Street
You might not think that a Victorian-era themed bar would make a good nightclub, but Cloak & Dagger pulls it off. The three-story bar in U Street has a speakeasy entrance on the first level, which is a lounge and bar. The second floor is the dance floor, which has its own bar. The third floor is the exclusive VIP area, which offers a balcony and table service.
Flash - Shaw
Flash is another club that is divided into separate floors in Shaw. The ground floor, dubbed Flash Bar, has a dance floor and full bar. The Club Level has its own bar, but is better suited for musicians to come and perform. Wall-to-wall bench seating offers some space for those who need a break, while the rest can keep at it on the dance floor.
The Jam Cellar - Columbia Heights
Every Tuesday in the Josephine Butler Parks Center, you’ll find the Jam Cellar. This weekly dance party welcomes all who love swing dancing -- from beginners to pros. It’s housed in a historic mansion in Columbia Heights, making it an elegant setting for a swing out and some Charleston.
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Pansaari - Dupont Circle
One of the more unique spaces in D.C.'s Dupont Circle, Pansaari hosts a monthly Bollywood dance party, which usually brings in a packed house for music and drinks. The dance party is only one of the many regular events Pansaari hosts, which also include mixology and cooking classes.
9:30 Club - U Street
This popular music venue in U Street hosts a variety of artists, from hip hop to alternative. Every so often, they also host themed dance parties, like the one coming up this weekend, dubbed “No Scrubs.” If you can’t guess from the name, it’s a 90s-themed party that’s made the rounds at D.C. clubs since 2003.
Club Timehri - Adams Morgan
Club Timehri is a hole-in-the-wall in Adams Morgan Caribbean night club that plays a variety of music in that genre and has a different event every night. Special events include “rep your flag” nights and parties for Carnival.
Zeba Bar - Columbia Heights
Zeba Bar is another multi-level space, with three floors that include a main bar, patio, dance floor, and outdoor deck. They have a DJ every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, ready to spin for folks waiting to dance in Columbia Heights.
Green Lantern - Logan Circle
The Green Lantern is a D.C. institution in Logan Circle for the LGBQT community. Located near the 14th Street corridor, the bar includes a second floor dedicated to a club atmosphere. Every Thursday, shirtless men drink for free from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.