Shall we dance?

Bliss Nightclub
535 E. 4th St., 348-2547, www.myspace.com/blissreno
After moving here from Atlanta, I despaired that I had left behind all the real house music dance clubs forever. Thank heaven for Bliss. They do it right, but one caveat: Things aren’t really cranking here until about 3 a.m. Designed and owned by DJ Travis Trentham, Bliss brings in local, national and international DJs to show off its 50,000-watt sound system and hypnotic “bubble” disco light system—one of only a handful in the world. You’ll feel the music in your spleen, and I mean that in a good way. It also recently started a salsa night on Saturdays.

210 North
210 North Sierra St.,
786-6210, www.210north.com
With its apartment-sized dance floor (900 square feet), 210 North is a cut above the average club. The only drawback to its tremendous size is that it takes a lot to make it feel full. From the mesmerizing chain art curtains alongside the escalator to the colorful geometric lanterns and the 30-feet-by-9-feet projection screen greeting you at the top, you’ll feel like you’ve landed in a super-chic club in Berlin or Paris. Plus, the VIP service here can’t be beat.

The Brew Brothers
Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 N. Virginia St.;
786-5700; www.eldoradoreno.com
OK, it’s a little less sophisticated and “clubby” than the 210s of the world, but for many weekend partiers, Brew Brothers consistently performs. Catch live music—mainly Top 40 and rock covers, with a little blues mixed in—seven days a week. The “come one, come all” feeling of the place means the typical crowd on its sizeable dance floor might include college students, attorneys, gay hairdressers and bikers, all at once.

The Polo Lounge
1559 S. Virginia St., <brp>322-8864
The “everybody’s welcome” attitude also pervades at Polo, but with a more intimate, far funkier and more interesting vibe. Maybe it’s the leopard-print booths and bookshelves laden with leather-bound classics, or the Crock Pot containing hot wings or meatballs. I think it’s the tiny dance floor next to the fireplace, which invites people of all ages (and dance abilities) to shake their groove thang, as live musicians play rousing covers of everything from Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” to the Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker.” Good times.

DivAuraBinga Live
Divine Ultra-Lounge
95 N. Sierra St., Ste. 101; 329-8088;

www.divineultralounge.com

Aura Ultra Lounge
Silver Legacy Resort Casino,
407 N. Virginia St.; 325-7401;
www.silverlegacyreno.com

BuBinga Lounge
Eldorado Hotel Casino,
345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700;
www.eldoradoreno.com

ALLCITY Live
Grand Sierra Resort Casino,
2500 E. Second St.; 789-5369;
www.grandsierraresort.com

In many ways, they’re all the same place: same music (i.e. Fergie’s “Glamorous,” anyone?); identical crowd (in hot pants). But a few key distinctions: You can actually eat at Divine—lunch or dinner. It’s tiny, but the suspended loft dance floor is kinda cool. Plus, no cover.

Aura’s architectural details make it just plain pretty and a great place to relax and converse, even with the music blaring. Plus, flair bartenders are fun to watch. Also no cover.

At BuBinga, the heavyweight champion of Reno nightclubs, resident DJ Freez spins Top 40, hip-hop and house for its fairly small and always packed dance floor. And its oversized VIP seating area is all the more reason to dance.

At ALLCITY Live, Nikki Beach’s winter cousin, variety’s the name of the game. EJ the DJ spins here, as do notable special guests, but you’ll find some live rock, too. And for scantily-clad girls dancing suggestively on tiny platforms, look no further.