Dance parties

Metropolitan
A disco ball in every room proves that this diverse crowd, made up of every sexual orientation, knows how to get down; there’s no proper dance floor so people shake it wherever they please. Things ramp up at this normally low-key joint after 10pm, when it transforms into a high-energy dance spot. For proof, hit up Wednesday’s Girls Girls Girls bash or the Friday night party Tough Titty with DJ Miss Guy—a key force behind the iconic trash-rock party Squeezebox and singer for the Toilet Böys. Metropolitan, 559 Lorimer St between Devoe St and Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-4444)
The beats: Britney Spears’s “3,” the Gossip’s “Heavy Cross,” Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,” Kylie Minogue’s “All I See,” La Roux’s “In for the Kill”

Bootie NYC
Franchised fiesta Bootie is kind of like your coolest friend’s wedding, with all the hip-hop and cheese-pop songs that sort of event would entail. But in this case, the tunes are all blended together, just like the crowd, which is packed with suburbanites, club kids and hipsters jumping and sweating as one to a hyper playlist of favorites. “We always say that Bootie’s crowd is as mashed up as the music,” note DJs Adrian and the Mysterious D, who launched this party in San Fran in 2003 and then exported it to L.A., Boston, Berlin, Paris and Munich. “It’s kind of a Noah’s Ark of nightlife, with at least two of every kind of person there.” Bootie is on break Nov and Dec; next party date and venue TBD. For info, sign up for the mailing list at bootienyc.com.
The beats: Lady Gaga vs. Eurythmics “Dance Dreams,” MGMT vs. David Bowie “Stardust Kids,” Journey vs. Afrika Bambaataa “Don’t Stop Believin’ in Planet Rock,” Daft Punk vs. Bon Jovi “Daft Prayer”

Club 57 at Providence
This new addition to the Saturday night gay club scene has an addictive (and winning) formula: Slate a well-known DJ-producer for the main floor each week (like Mike Cruz, Tony Moran or Escape), get DJ Lina to churn out soulful hip-hop in the lounge, and host various popsters in the basement. Club 57 at Providence 311 W 57th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-307-0062, providencenyc.com). Sat 10pm; $15, before midnight $10.
The beats: Main floor: Beyoncé’s “Why Don’t You Love Me?” (Escape/Coluccio Mix), Shakira’s “She Wolf” (Peter Rauhofer Mix), Anjulie’s “Rain” (Escape/Coluccio Mix). Basement: Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” (Chew Fu Club Remix), Keo Nozari’s “Like Lightning,” Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” (Wideboys Remix)

Fleet Week at Pianos
Come 10pm, the DJs start spinning soul, disco and Top 40 hits at Pianos’ new Thursday night dance party, but the grooving doesn’t pick up until the wee hours, usually closing out the bar at 4am. Who will be grinding up next to you? “It’s a hip kind of weekend crowd—less gnarly than the bridge-and-tunnel crew that comes on Fridays and Saturdays,” says Pianos booker Billy Jones. 158 Ludlow St at Stanton St (212-505-3733, pianosnyc.com). 10pm–4am; $8, advance $5.
The beats: Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough,” Bobby Brown’s “On Our Own,” Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It (on the Alcohol)”

Royale
Self-conscious revelers will take comfort in the fact that candelabras are the only light source in Royale’s dim space. That, plus the tightly packed, diminutive dance floor, means no one’s watching your rump-shaking. Grab your Morrissey T-shirt and head over for Smiths Night on Thursdays, when every tenth song DJ Vida spins is by the English rock band. 506 Fifth Ave between 12th and 13th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-840-0089, royalebrooklyn.com)
The beats: Young Pony Club’s “Ice Cream,” Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” Daft Punk’s “One More Time,” Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat,” LCD Soundsystem’s “Someone Great”

Basement Bhangra
Newbies will quickly feel welcome in the pulsating throng of regulars who bust out Bollywood-style moves to the Southeast Asian–meets–New York sound created by the party’s spinners, DJ Rekha and Eddie Stats. Arrive early for a free dance lesson and easier access to the bar; the place is packed by midnight. S.O.B.’s, 204 Varick St at Houston St (212-252-2392). $16, before 8pm $5. First Thursday of the month, plus additional Dec 30 date.
The beats: DJ Rekha and Sunil Sehgal, featuring Wyclef and Bikram Singh’s “Basement Bhangra Anthem,” Malkit Singh’s “Aaj Bhangra Paun Nu Jee Karda,” DJ H featuring Miss Pooja’s “Char Panj,” Major Lazer featuring Vybz Kartel “Pon De Floor” (DJ Rekha Rajstar Remix featuring Ramandeep)

Swing 46
The scene: The professional dancers who frequent Swing 46 would be intimidating if it weren’t for the tourists twirling beside them (see, they’re good for something). There’s a nightly cover charge (Sun–Thu $12; Fri, Sat $15), but you’ll get something extra for nothing when you show up for a free 45-minute dance lesson on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays at 9pm. A different live band takes the stage every night of the week, leading whippersnappers and septuagenarians through old-school dances like the fox-trot, the jitterbug and, of course, swing. 349 W 46th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-262-9554, swing46.com)
The beats: Ella Fitzgerald’s “Solid as a Rock,” Count Basie’s “Corner Pocket,” Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train,” Benny Goodman’s “Sing Sing Sing,” Frank Sinatra’s “Mack the Knife”

No Parking on the Dance Floor at House of Yes
Open your mind—and body—to an extremely wide range of music at this monthly fete: heavy funk, disco, hip-hop, garage rock, Latin, jungle, heavy dub…the list goes on. Just make sure you’re ready to move. “I thought it would be nice to have a party that’s not like a typical club thing,” say founder Jim Dier (DJ $mall ¢hange). “It’s not about trying to mack on some girl or have conversations on the floor. If you’re on the dance floor, you should be dancing.” House of Yes, 342 Maujer St at Morgan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (houseofyes.org). Next party: Dec 6, 7pm–midnight, suggested donation $5–$500.
The beats: Kool G Rap & DJ Polo “Ill Street Blues,” King Tubby’s “Ali Baba Dub,” Antibalas’s “Che Che Cole,” Question Mark and the Mysterians’ “Girl,” Rusko’s “Gone 2 Far,” Bird Peterson’s “The Jump Off,” DJ Gregory’s “Block Party”

Lit Lounge
Who needs rhythm when you can dance like a fool to live bands six nights a week at this East Village hipster hangout? Get in on the spastic action in the cavelike basement where the dance floor is sticky, the crowd sweaty, and DJs spin rock and new wave after every evening’s show. Don’t feel like you need to hold back—no one else does. Lit Lounge 93 Second Ave between 5th and 6th Sts (212-777-7987, litloungenyc.com)
The beats: Electro-pop trio Static Brigade (Sat 28 at 9pm), metal band Natur (Mon 30 at TKpm)

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Parties in New York City
Where to find them, where to throw them and where you won't look like a jerk if you're dressed to the nines.