Chicago Dance Clubs - Top Dance Clubs in Chicago

Dancing is the quickest road to happiness. A dance-floor, a DJ, a few friends, and we instantly get that natural high that's worth a million bucks. Plus it's, like, way more fun than going to the gym. You might need a little guidance, though; otherwise, you could end up somewhere with nothing more than a rusty jukebox, or worse, bad house music that makes your ears throb for a week. Tragic. So, we've scoped out Chicago's best places to get moving, ensuring that the next time you and your pals get the dancing bug, the hardest thing to figure out will be your outfit. (But who are we kidding? We've got some tips where that's concerned, too.) Mark your calendars for monthly dance nights that are too much fun to miss, and add our favorite anytime dance-floors to your nightlife rolodex. Standing still is so over.

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Smart Bar
While we consider Smart Bar one of our standbys (nothing beats shakin' it after a show at The Metro), if you really wanna get down, check out DJ Kid Color's Dollar Disco, happening every Sunday. Members of the service industry get in free!
Smart Bar, 3730 North Clark Street (between North Racine and West Waveland
Avenues); 773-549-0203.

Life During Wartime
If it ain't broke, go dancing. Since 2003, Life During Wartime has been setting the pace in Chicago dance parties. Attach yourself to LDW's Facebook page and stay up on any and all dance-y events thrown by this mastermind crew.
The Hideout, 1354 West Wabansia Avenue (between North Ada and
North Throop Streets); 773-227-4433.

Windy City Soul Club
Brilliant ideas never go out of style. Whoever decided that Chicago would respond well to jam-packed, sweaty, soul dance extravaganzas, we salute you. This monthly soul-soaked party now has a permanent home at the Empty Bottle, and once you try it, you'll be hooked. We are.
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue (at West Cortez Street); 773-276-3600.

Smith's Night at Danny's
You'll need to set some kind of alarm for this one. Every fourth Tuesday, Danny's Tavern in Bucktown turns into a magical land where only The Smiths exist, and that's all anyone wants to dance to anyway. Singing along is also encouraged.
Danny’s Tavern, 1951 West Dickens Avenue (between North Damon and North
Winchester Avenues); 773-489-6457.

Debonair Social Club
A night at Debonair is like being transported to an alternate universe. Or maybe just to Europe. Screw the dance floor, this entire place is shakin'. Table-top dancing will happen. Take away your friends' cameras.
Debonair Social Club, 1575 North Milwaukee Avenue (at North Damon Avenue);
773-227-7990.

The Burlington
If untz-untz music isn't doing it for you these days, rewind a little bit at The Burlington. Resident DJs at this beloved dive spin everything you love from decades gone by, and nothing from the top 40. Dancing knows no decade.
The Burlington, 3425 West Fullerton Avenue (between North Kimball and North St.
Louis Avenues)l 773-384-3243.