Five DJs share their favourite dance spots in Melbourne and Sydney
image via @ch444i/instagram
as told to daisy henry
“It’s the kind of place you can head to without even checking the lineup.”
I could be in the minority, but I can’t think of the last time I had a night out where I was out until the early hours of the morning dancing. Sure, sitting outside at a bar or taking over a karaoke room at KBox has a certain appeal, but it doesn’t have quite the same thrill.
Being in a dark room with sticky floors and a bass so loud you can’t hear your friends standing next to you is a unique kind of energy. The world outside melts away, time slows and you’re free to lose yourself.
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However, if it’s also been a second since you’ve stepped into a club yourself, the dilemma lies in not knowing where exactly to go. No two clubs are the same, and where some prefer big, open-air spaces and deep house music, others will feel more at home in small, intimate venues.
If there’s one group of people who could count themselves as experts, it’s DJs. Whether they’re playing a set or supporting a friend, DJs have the special talent of being able to read the energy of a room and help shape the mood. From Melbourne to Sydney, find their favourite dance spots below.
Rahzizan
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I love Angel in Melbourne, which is where I usually end up most weekends. They have two levels: a bar with a courtyard on the ground floor and a club on the second floor. It’s always great when you have options depending on your mood.
Collingwood Basement is another favourite. It’s literally an underground joint and is very intimate, about 150 people max. The nights there are very curated – Nathan Haines, an incredible New Zealand musician, is playing there on October 23.
Chachi
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When I’m going out I’m always looking forward to three things: shaking some, a cheeky tequila sunrise and energy that makes you lose track of time. Section 8 and Miscellania tick all those boxes.
Section 8 is ambient at first and then seamlessly transforms into a euphoric dancefloor, courtesy of the music curated by some of the best DJ talent I’ve ever seen. With an open-air setting, it’s truly perfect for a long night of dancing. A few skips away is Miscellania – an intimate, floor-shaking (literally), sweaty dance floor that stays packed until close. Misc has never disappointed my hunger for high-energy club nights – I’m always hitting my 10k steps in there.
I have witnessed the most insane, carefully curated nights in both venues, and they’re known for showcasing homegrown and international talent.
Milkpaste
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Easily one of my favourite clubs in Sydney, Club 77 consistently hosts an amazing lineup of local and international DJs every weekend. It’s the kind of place you can head to without even checking the lineup – you just turn up, dance and get lost in the music until sunrise. It’s one of the few venues where people go to truly lose (or find) themselves. It’s also a fantastic spot to meet new people and dance alongside a broad mix of people.
I remember partying there until sunrise – by the time my friends and I stepped outside, the sun was coming up and birds were chirping as we shared one last cigarette on the pavement. It’s truly a special space where people from all walks of life come together under one roof to dance until dawn.
Ruby Lou
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When I’m not playing a set myself, I try to make it to as many gigs around the city as I can. Besides being fun and a great way to connect with my circle, it’s also become a vital part of my DJing practice – it keeps me inspired and energised by the scene.
I have so many places I like to frequent for a variety of reasons but my favourite at the moment has to be the upstairs room at Angel Music Bar. I’ve seen so many incredible international and local acts in the space, each time completely losing track of time and staying far later than I had initially planned to. The space is filled with dark, moody lighting, has a killer sound system and a great reputation for supporting incredibly talented but underrepresented acts and sounds.
Lina Zabaleta
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I’m always drawn to places that feel intimate, a little dark and full of character. Miscellania on Swanston Street in Melbourne has that magic: the vibe is close, sexy, warm and wild. I love bringing Chuleo Club there because the staff are incredible and the energy is always hot and unforgettable.
New Guernica on Smith Street also delivers that big-night feeling – it has impeccable production, sharp sound and LED moments that turn the room into a movie.
Outside of venues, Melbourne’s park parties and warehouse parties are iconic: a mixed crowd, a wide world of sounds, and space to move however you want. In Sydney, Club 77 is my forever favourite: the basement, the sound, the staff and that underground energy. It feels raw, feral, iconic and familiar all at once.
For more nightclub recommendations, try this.
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