Get in the Groove: California's Best Dance Venues to Try Now

Disclaimer: California.com is not receiving any type of compensation for reviewing any of the products or services mentioned in this article.

Whether due to the pandemic’s Tiktok culture or 90s pop influence, moving your body has long been a great way to lighten the mood. There’s something recherché about spazzy dancing that untangles the knots of the day and allows you to let go. Dance places in California are meant to do just that. And as fitness trends have evolved, they have come to integrate dance and group exercise classes. From heart-pumping BollyX to energizing Vinyasa yoga, the lines between the emotive art form and the fat-burning, health-focused fitness routine are continually being blurred. Although striving to get healthier through lighthearted workouts can help you access endorphins, popping into dance venues can as effortlessly get the job done too!

With social dances like swing and two-step making their way back into mainstream culture, tap dancing being featured in musical theaters like La La Land, and music videos sparking new dance trends seemingly every month, there has never been a better time to incorporate dance into your weekly routine. So if the latest Broadway show, concert, or street performance has you feeling the beat, it’s time to get to your nearest dance venue and tap into your energetic rhythm. Here are some of the best nightclubs in California to get you grooving.

san diego PARQ

With renowned DJs performing regularly, innovative light and sound setups, and plenty of room to test out your new moves PARQ is a luxury nightclub where you can dance away your troubles every Friday and Saturday night. Lose yourself to the beat at one of the best nightclubs in San Diego with a truly immersive weekend experience.

“California at night” carries a meaning of its own when coupled with the purple lights pulsing along with the music, as live DJs show off their incredible skills. Dance to the hypnotizing remixes of popular hits while the aroma of roasted baby beets, arugula, goat cheese, and candied walnuts fill your nostrils. Don’t shy away from pausing for a bite of the inviting chicken wings drizzled with jerk-spiced honey mustard. Graced by famous performers like Wiz Khalifa as well as many other expert entertainers—and home to the annual San Diego Wing Fest—PARQ is certainly not your average dance venue.

Los Angeles

From performances at Ballet Folklorico De Riverside and rich exhibits in the galleries of Carmel-by-the-sea, every inch of the state is home to exhilarating art culture. And with the party district in downtown LA, it's no surprise that the county has a rich dance club culture. Whether you’re tap dancing underneath your office desk, aiming for the contemporary creative dance, or twirling away at the dancefloor of your wedding, California is the dance venue of the nation.

THE ROOFTOP

From Palm Springs festivals and dancing on the top of a hotel to grooving at a multi-day concert, clubs in California will keep you dancing to the moonlight. The Rooftop at The Standard is the go-to spot for panoramic views of the city lights and the surrounding mountains. At the height of luxury, The Rooftop is complete with a dance floor, vistas of the Los Angeles skyline, and an outdoor fireplace.

Dangle your feet in the heated pool, dance your heart out on the red Astroturf and admire the sculptured greenery while the music takes over. Fuel up with an elegant hummus starter topped with black olives and smoked paprika and served with warm pita bread. Munch on classic sliders featuring garlic aioli, caramelized onion, and house-made pickles. Alternatively, go for the full Californian experience with creamy guacamole garnished with pico de gallo relish. 

Palacio Latino Club

Put on your dancing shoes at the club where sensuality is the sole address. This amazing Latino-style dance nightclub puts the S in Salsa.  Whether you have two left feet or burn up the dancefloor, this Latino palace is a fun place for everyone. Salsa, cumbia, or even the irresistible bachata will draw you into the dancefloor like a moth to a flame. Watch gravity unfold while you lose yourself in the grooviest of the Los Angeles nightclubs.

San Francisco

The Bay Area was made for dancing. With unique interesting dance venues across San Francisco, it is hard to get bored with the city's dance scene. Home to such a diverse and dynamic culture, it is hard to settle on the best nightclubs in San Francisco. 

9:20 SPECIAL

The nightlife in California is quite vibrant after hours, and the 9:20 Special is a unique dancing venue. 9:20 Special is a well-known Lindy Hop location that has been established for a long time in the Bay Area. While the location offers dance classes for those interested in learning a specific technique, Thursday nights are when the place comes alive. The dance nightclub opens at 9:30 p.m. and brings 200-plus dancers together for an unforgettable experience you can’t get anywhere else.