Here are the nominees for the Best Place to Shake Your Thang

We’re fans of conversation, but sometimes we just want to shut the hell up and dance. These are the places that we go to dance our cares away.

San Francisco Bathhouse (Cuba St)

First, there’s the wide variety of gigs that they have – from Iron and Wine, to Peaches, to the regular new-wave Atomic nights, to drum and bass. Then there’s the fact that there’s a clear, unobstructed space for dancing right in front of the stage. Add in a super-late license, a big balcony for free air, and a handy Cuba Street location, and you’ve got the recipe for one big party going on.

Mighty Mighty (Cuba St)

When the disco ball is spinning, who knows what madness will take place on the crowded floor at Mighty Mighty? It might be Wellingtonista parents rocking out to Wayne Mason, it may be minimal disco, or it might be one big mash-up of everything that’s random. And that’s what we love about the place - you never know who will be there or what will be going on, even if you do keep abreast of things in a gig guide.

Havana (32 Wigan St)

The dance floor at Havana is as tiny as any of the other areas in the cute little house, but somehow bongos and funk are still a regular feature. The intimacy of the venue may enhance the intimacy of your night as well, especially given that we’re pretty sure it’s not always just cigarette smoke out back.


The Watusi (6 Edward St)

After Tupelo died a lonely death we were briefly sad, but our glee at the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll and leopardskin that make up the Watusi now makes us go “Tupe-whatnow?”. The Watusi’s soundtrack is a breath of fresh air in this city, and their rum liqueurs provide the perfect inspiration to shake it till you make it, especially when there’s a live rockabilly act to get messy to.

Sandwiches (Corner of Kent Tce and Majoribanks St)

If you like your music in the oonst-oonst, boom-boom, bass-bass parts of your body, Sandwiches may very well be your second home. It plays host to most international DJs when they come to town, as well as an assortment of live bands, and it’s consistently winning ‘best night club’ awards from other people, so there must be something good going on there.