NJShore Guide

Nightclubs & Dance Venues

From world-ranked Atlantic City mega-clubs to legendary beach town dance floors. Get ready to dance the night away on the Jersey Shore.

9Clubs
4Casino Clubs
#14World Rank (HQ2)
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Two Scenes, One Shore

Atlantic City

Vegas-style mega-clubs with world-class DJs, VIP bottle service, and strict dress codes. HQ2, Premier, and DAER rival the best clubs anywhere. Open year-round, biggest Thursday-Saturday.

Beach Towns

Legendary summer spots like Bamboo Bar (MTV Jersey Shore fame), D'Jais in Belmar, and Bar A. More casual vibe, younger crowds, mostly seasonal. The quintessential Jersey Shore club experience.

9

Nightclubs

4

Casino Clubs

#14

World Rank (HQ2)

5

Locations

Paradise

LGBTQ+ Venue

$$

Asbury Park's premier LGBTQ+ nightclub and dance venue. Legendary drag shows, theme nights, and a welcoming dance floor that's been at the heart of the community for decades.

  • Legendary drag shows
  • LGBTQ+ institution
  • Welcoming to all

Best For

LGBTQ+ nightlifedrag showsdancingcommunity
21+Year-RoundLGBTQ+
Summer: Wed-Sun 9pm-2amOff-Season: Fri-Sun 9pm-2am
Cover: $5-15
drag showsdance floortheme nightsLGBTQ+ community

Tip: Check their calendar for special theme nights and guest performers.

HQ2 Nightclub

Casino Club

$$$$

Atlantic City's premier mega-club inside Ocean Casino Resort. A 19,000 sq ft multi-level space with world-class DJs, VIP bottle service, and a Vegas-caliber experience. The hottest club in AC.

  • Largest nightclub in Atlantic City
  • Top EDM and hip-hop DJs weekly
  • Connected to Ocean Casino amenities

Best For

dancingclubbingbachelor/bachelorette partiesVIP experience
21+Year-Round
Summer: Thu-Sun 10pm-4amOff-Season: Fri-Sat 10pm-4am
Cover: $20-50, more for special eventsDress: Upscale nightclub attire. No athletic wear, work boots, or baggy clothing.
VIP bottle servicemultiple barsLED wallsrooftop accesscelebrity DJs

Tip: Book a VIP table for faster entry and better experience. Thursday is industry night with locals.

Premier Nightclub

Casino Club

$$$$

Borgata's signature nightclub featuring A-list DJs and a sophisticated crowd. Recently renovated with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Premier bottle service and celebrity appearances.

  • Borgata's flagship nightclub
  • Consistently top-rated AC club
  • High-end crowd

Best For

dancingupscale nightlifespecial occasions
21+Year-Round
Summer: Fri-Sat 10pm-4amOff-Season: Fri-Sat 10pm-4am
Cover: $20-40Dress: Upscale attire required. Collared shirts for men.
VIP bottle servicecelebrity DJsLED dance floorprivate rooms

Tip: Borgata guests can sometimes get expedited entry. Check for resident DJ schedules.

DAER Nightclub

Casino Club

$$$

Hard Rock's rooftop dayclub transforms into a nightclub after sunset. Pool parties by day, club vibes by night with panoramic Atlantic City views. Indoor/outdoor space.

  • Best rooftop in AC
  • Pool party + nightclub combo
  • Hard Rock energy

Best For

pool partiesdancingafternoon drinkssunset views
21+Summer OnlyFood
Summer: Thu-Sun 11am-2am (pool), 10pm-4am (club)
Cover: $20-40Dress: Swim/resort wear by day, nightclub attire after dark
rooftop poolcabanasVIP sectionsindoor/outdoor

Tip: Book a cabana for the full dayclub experience. Gets crowded after 2pm on summer Saturdays.

Haven Nightclub

Casino Club

$$

Golden Nugget's intimate nightclub with a more accessible vibe than the mega-clubs. Features themed nights, Latin events, and a mix of music. Great for groups who want to dance without breaking the bank.

  • More accessible pricing
  • Great Latin nights
  • Less pretentious vibe

Best For

dancingLatin musicgroupsbudget nightlife
21+Year-Round
Summer: Thu-Sat 10pm-3amOff-Season: Fri-Sat 10pm-3am
Cover: $10-20
themed nightsbottle serviceLatin nightsmore intimate

Tip: Check for Latin night schedule - some of the best salsa dancing in AC.

Bar Anticipation

Bar

$$

The legendary "Bar A" - a Jersey Shore institution since 1981. Massive indoor/outdoor complex with multiple bars, live music stages, volleyball courts, and thousands of 20-somethings every summer weekend.

  • Shore legend since 1981
  • Volleyball tournaments
  • Live bands every weekend

Best For

summer partiesyoung crowdlive musicmeeting people
21+Summer OnlyFood
Summer: Daily 11am-2am
Cover: $0-10
multiple stagesvolleyball courtsoutdoor barslive musicmassive capacity

Tip: Thursday is local's night. Saturday is packed by 10pm - arrive early.

D'Jais

Bar

$$

Ocean Avenue party palace and Belmar's premiere nightlife destination. DJ-driven dance floor, huge outdoor deck with ocean views, and a beautiful crowd. The place to see and be seen.

  • Best ocean views in Belmar
  • Top DJs
  • Sunday Funday legendary

Best For

dancingDJ musicsummer partiesyoung professionals
21+Summer OnlyBeachfrontFood
Summer: Daily 11am-2am
Cover: $10-20
ocean viewsDJ boothoutdoor deckbeach access

Tip: Sunday Funday starts at noon. Ocean deck fills up fast on nice days.

Ocean Drive

Bar

$$

The anchor of Sea Isle's Landis Ave scene. Multiple floors, DJs, live bands, and the epicenter of the Philly crowd's summer nightlife. "OD" has been the spot for decades.

  • Sea Isle institution
  • Multiple levels/vibes
  • Philly crowd headquarters

Best For

dancingyoung crowdsummer partiesbar hopping
21+Summer OnlyFood
Summer: Daily 11am-2am
Cover: $0-10
multiple floorsDJslive musicrooftop

Tip: Start on the rooftop, work your way down. Sunday Funday starts early.

The Bamboo Bar

Bar

$$

The legendary Bamboo Bar, featured on MTV's Jersey Shore. DJ-driven dance floor and energetic crowds make this a Seaside Heights institution.

  • MTV Jersey Shore fame
  • Party central
  • Fist pumping encouraged

Best For

dancingJersey Shore experienceparty
21+Summer Only
Summer: Daily 11am-2am
Cover: $10-20
DJdance floorMTV famousfull bar

Tip: Embrace the chaos. It's a Jersey Shore rite of passage.

Dress Code Guide

Atlantic City Clubs

  • ✓ Collared shirts for men (button-down or polo)
  • ✓ Dress shoes or clean designer sneakers
  • ✓ Upscale casual to dressy for women
  • ✗ No athletic wear, jerseys, or hats
  • ✗ No baggy jeans or shorts
  • ✗ No sandals or flip-flops

Beach Town Clubs

  • ✓ Clean casual - jeans, shorts, nice tops
  • ✓ Sneakers generally okay
  • ✓ More relaxed than AC
  • ✗ No swimwear or beach attire at night
  • ✗ Shirts required

Club Tips

Get on the Guest List

Follow clubs on social media for promoter contacts. RSVP for reduced or free cover before a certain time.

Table Reservations

VIP tables start around $500-1000 with bottle minimums in AC. Worth it for groups - skip lines and guaranteed space.

Arrive Strategically

Clubs open around 10pm. For free/reduced cover, arrive by 11pm. Peak time is 12-2am. Lines are worst around midnight.

Stay Nearby

Book a hotel at the casino with your club of choice. No driving, no Uber surge pricing, and sometimes club perks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best nightclub on the Jersey Shore?

HQ2 at Ocean Casino in Atlantic City is ranked #14 in the world by DJ Mag. For casino clubs, Premier at Borgata and DAER at Hard Rock are also top-tier. For beach town vibes, Bamboo Bar in Seaside Heights and D'Jais in Belmar are legendary.

What is the dress code at Jersey Shore clubs?

Atlantic City casino clubs enforce strict dress codes - no sneakers, athletic wear, or hats. Collared shirts for men, upscale attire preferred. Beach town clubs like Bamboo and D'Jais are more casual but still no swimwear.

How much is cover at Jersey Shore clubs?

Cover varies widely. Beach bars might be free or $5-10. Atlantic City clubs range from $20-50+ depending on the night and DJ. Guest lists and early arrival can reduce or eliminate cover.

What nights are best for clubbing?

Saturday is biggest everywhere. In Atlantic City, Thursday-Sunday are active. Beach clubs peak Friday-Saturday in summer. Some venues have themed nights - check their socials.

Explore More Nightlife

Not in the mood for dancing? Check out other options.