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Hip-Hop Clubs in New York

There’s no denying that New York is one of the most important urban centers in the development of hip-hop music. Hundreds of prolific hip-hop artists like Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z all got their start playing in hip-hop clubs throughout the five boroughs of New York. Whether you’re into early '90s hip-hop, gangsta rap, trip-hop, or dirty south, New York’s top hip-hop clubs are hard to beat. Many hip-hop venues feature both talented DJs and live bands throughout the week, so be sure to check individual listings for the latest information.

  1. Sutra

    • Tuesday night with DJ Tony Touch is the big draw at this stylish East Village club, but expect to get down any night from Wednesday through Saturday as well. Sutra attracts a hip urban crowd of talented and uninhibited dancers with its casual yet brazen party atmosphere. Owner Ariel Palitz fashioned Sutra to look like a sort of vintage gentlemen’s club, with red velvet accents and decadent treats like chocolate-covered strawberries and slick martinis. However, the focus is invariably the music, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the middle of an all out hip-hop dance-a-thon as the night wears on.

      Sutra Lounge
      16 First Avenue
      New York, NY 10009
      (212) 677-9477
      sutranyc.com

    bOb

    • The DJs at this tiny club on the Lower East Side crank out a highly danceable mix of classic '80s and '90s hip-hop with occasional top 40 tracks. The crowd here is young and decidedly hip, reflecting the club’s trendy, upscale location. Wednesdays and Thursdays seem to be the best nights, though weekends are popular as well. Keep in mind that the small capacity of the bOb, which has a dance floor roughly the size of a large living room, means that the place gets extremely packed, though that’s generally what people are looking for in a raucous hip-hop club. Poor ventilation and tough bouncers aside, bOb consistently ranks high among New York’s premier hip-hop venues and is worth the trouble. Single guys beware: you won’t make it past the door after 10 p.m. on a big night, so come early or don’t bother coming at all.

      bOb
      235 Eldridge St
      New York, NY 10002
      (212) 529-1807
      bobbarnyc.com

    Santo’s Party House

    • Self-conscious hard rocker Andrew W. K. teamed up with artist Spencer Sweeney to create this grungy, no-frills dance hall where the disco balls and music never stop spinning. Friday nights feature hip-hop curators Q-Tip and Rich Medina whose creative flow of jazzy beats and urban rhythms is guaranteed to make you groove. Santo’s Party House attracts a very diverse crowd of hipsters, rave kids, bankers and everyone in between. It’s a great place to catch up-and-coming acts straddling hip-hop, rock and other styles or just dance the night away to familiar DJ tracks. Lines aren’t notoriously long but there are exceptions, especially on weekends.

      Santo’s Party House
      96 Lafayette St.
      New York, NY 10013
      (212) 714-4646
      santospartyhouse.com

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