Fort Lauderdale isn't quite the corner for clubbing that Miami is, but that doesn't mean you have to make the 25-minute hike to South Beach. There are a number of cool places to hang out in Fort Lauderdale, especially if you're looking to dance the night away. From grungy dive bars to nightclubs offering bottle service and VIP entrance, these are the best places to go dancing in Fort Lauderdale.
Sway is a natural starting point for places to go dancing in Fort Lauderdale. It's located right off Himmarshee, which is essentially Downtown Fort Lauderdale's hub for bar hopping and partying. Sway is probably the closest you'll get to a Miami nightclub experience in Fort Lauderdale. There's always a long line to get in unless you swing by early and usually a $20 cover, but it's all worth it since they invite some of Miami's best DJs. You'll definitely want to be dressed to impress when you go dancing at Sway!
Cash Only is a throwback 80's bar with vinyl records on the wall, channeling an old-school aesthetic. They regularly invite DJs who would be considered throwbacks in today's hip-hop climate, which makes it the perfect place for you to let your hair down and flaunt your best dance moves.
YOLO is known more as a happy hour and dinner spot, but things get pretty lit on the weekends, particularly on Friday nights when the professionals who work on and around Las Olas Boulevard head down for happy hour and stick around for nightcaps.
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If you like dancing and the latest urban hits, CLUB EURO is your spot. Expect a line and cover at the door here as well, but, again, it's worth the wait. Everyone is dressed to impress, and WEDR- 99 JAMZ regularly simulcasts from from here on the weekend.
If you want to let loose and dance like no one is watching, head to America's Backyard. You can leave all pretension at the entrance when you swing by here because everyone's here for a good time, not to be seen.
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Capone's is another spot that leans toward urban sensibilities. It's almost always packed, meaning it can actually be hard to get your dance on at times. There's a small cover here as well, but the line tends to move quickly.
Blue Martini is located a few minutes away from the central hub of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Himmarshee, and Las Olas, but that doesn't stop it from hosting worthwhile nights of its own. Far from it, Blue Martini is certainly one of the best places to go dancing in Fort Lauderdale. However, you should know that it tends to cater to an older crowd of 45 and up.
Come for the drinks, stay for the dancing. Stache is primarily a speakeasy bar, but it turns up the volume (literally) on the weekend. Stache regularly hosts hot DJs and cool bands, so be prepared for something different each time you visit.
Aptly named, this place is nothing but good vibes and high energy. Vibe is ideally placed on Las Olas Boulevard, meaning it gets lots of foot traffic from people eager to bar hop.
Like we said, forget the trip to Miami; stay in town this weekend and hit up one of the best places to go dancing in Fort Lauderdale!
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Cover photo courtesy of Pxhere
