Boston dance clubs continue to be the rage
for night owls of all ages. These clubs have some pretty serious
(and deafening) custom sound systems blaring the latest and
greatest music trends with the power to shake your booty for
you, sometimes to the point where you can literally feel the
beat from the street. These highlights of the city’s scene
open early and close late, and generally pack ‘em in like
sardines. Dress in layers, the heat rises as the night
progresses.
An Tain
31 Inda Street
617- 426-1870
This, like many of the downtown clubs,
caters to the stuffy financial types during the daylight hours.
But there's a whole new beat after sunset. An Tain turns up the
volume and roars with energy.
Parking: Street
Cover: None
MBTA Stop: South Station
Aria
246 Tremont Street
617- 338-7080
Aria mixes plush velvet with goth in this
eccentric nightspot. It’s totally superficial and caters to
the well-off with private tables along the wall. You’ll see
European and wealthy sugar-daddies and trophies everywhere you
turn around the small dance floor, where the same partying beat
becomes monotonous. If you arrive fashionably late you’ll only
be granted entry if you are one of the beautiful people, where
the cover charge may even be waved. Otherwise you might try
greasing the hand of the bouncer with a crisp $20. Fast cars and
trendy threads make the person here.
Parking: Street
Cover: Varies
MBTA Stop: Boylston
Atlas
3 Lansdowne Street
617- 437-0300
Atlas is a titan on the Boston scene, with
its menu, TV screens and rhythm noticeably big. It's frequented
by the college crowd, out-of-towners and twentysomethings, all
of whom lose track of time dancing or gaming it upstairs at
Jillian’s.
Parking: Street
Cover: Varies, approximately $5
MBTA Stop: Kenmore Square
Avalon
15 Lansdowne Street
617- 262-2424
Without a doubt the king of the Landsdowne
clubs, Avalon is casual and newly-renovated with a rocking sound
system and unbelievably nice bathrooms. Spacious dance areas and
occasional live concerts draw the flocks of night mavens. Sunday
is gay night, Thursday is international night, while Friday
night is "Avaland" offering the mixes of national name
DJ's, and Saturday roars with progressive house music. Dine
before you come, there aren’t any snacks here.
Parking: Street
Cover: Varies up to $19
MBTA Stop: Kenmore Square
Axis
13 Lansdowne Street
617- 262-2437
This is a nightclub like no other.
Requiring only creative dress for entry – with black always
acceptable – it presents two floors of mayhem and some
fascinating people-watching potential. Here, tackiness and
bad-hair days are the norm, yet it is probably the most exciting
club in town. You'll see a gamut of personalities, ranging from
sheer class to the Dennis Rodman designer-wear types, feather
boa included. At Axis, you’re on parade, and the funkier the
better. Sunday is gay night, Monday is drag night, and Saturday
is X night. And surprisingly, people of all sexes, races, ages,
religions, lifestyle preferences and wardrobes mingle together
nightly as the techno tunes throb. Axis is non-stop,
in-your-face action and the perfect spot in which to lose
yourself – or lose control.
Parking: Street
Cover: Varies from $5 to $10
MBTA Stop: Kenmore Square
The Big Easy
1 Boylston Place
617- 351-7000
One of the longest lines in Boston stands
outside this New Orleans-style club. Formerly Zanzibar – a
name it revives on Tuesday's international theme – it boasts
comfortable booths and a second-story wraparound balcony
encircling a large round dance floor. Young professionals enjoy
alternating DJ's and live bands.
Parking: Street
Cover: $7
MBTA Stop: Boylston
Bill's Bar
7 Lansdowne Street
617- 421-9678
This chameleon seems to change nightly –
whether the soundtrack is Euro or hip-hop, and whether the cover
is $2 or $15 – the only thing tried and true is an enjoyable
time. Frequented mostly by the post-grad, ties and Dockers
crowd, Bill's offers mixes of DJ's and live bands.
Parking: Street
Cover: Varies
MBTA Stop: Kenmore Street
Club at Il Panino
295 Franklin Street
617- 338-1000
Nestled in the Financial District, Il
Panino's is part of the five-floor Trattoria Il Panino
restaurant complex. The three-floor dance club has three large
bars and the high-energy masses flock to an adequate amount of
dance space. Thursday is Latin and Brazilian night, while Friday
and Saturday nights offer a variety of music from the '70s,
'80s, and '90s, including Top 40 and progressive dance music,
and Sunday is International Euro night. The dress code excludes
jeans and sneakers.
Parking: Street
Cover: None
MBTA Stop: Aquarium or State Street
Karma
9 Lansdowne Street
617- 421-9595
A flagship of the Lansdowne beat, Karma's
specialty is its ability to throw together musical themes to
keep the young, energetic masses bumping and grooving. The club
has a dress code and bans anything clunky – including big
jewelry. But it's a small price to pay to be at one with loud
music, dancing and fun drinks. Expect a line.
Parking: Street
Cover: Varies $12 to $15
MBTA Stop: Kenmore Square
M-80
969 Commonwealth Avenue
617- 562-8800
The M-80 is a popular, late-night club
well-attended by international students from nearby Boston
University. DJ's mix house and international music for this
in-crowd. The dress is casual and the alcohol is flowing.
M-80-goers consume more Moet here than in any other East Coast
establishment. Dress well to fit in here and, although you’ll
hear many varied accents, lost the Boston one.
Parking: Street, nearby lot
Cover: $10
MBTA Stop: Commonwealth Avenue
The Roxy
279 Tremont Street
617- 338-7699
With a prime location in the heart of the
busy Theater District, this multi-storied club accommodates
1,200 square feet of dance floor and often transforms into a
concert venue hosting national acts. It has a unique uptown aura
with a spruced and preened clientele. Thursday is Latin night,
Friday is Roxy Rewind popular for 70's fare, Saturday is techno,
Top 40 and house music, and Sunday rocks.
Parking: Street, garage and nearby lots
Cover: $10
MBTA Stop: Boylston or Medical Center
