Best Jersey City Clubs: Top-Rated Spots for Dancing in 2025

TL;DR:

Jersey City has a small but lively club scene centered near Grove Street and Exchange Place.
The Ashford, Six26, Porta, and RoofTop at Exchange Place draw the biggest party crowds.
Fridays and Saturdays after 10 p.m. are prime time for DJs and dancing.
Expect 21+ checks, smart-casual dress, and occasional lines, especially on warm nights.
Book tables or arrive early; PATH access makes late-night rides simple.

Jersey City is more lounge-forward than mega-club, but several venues flip into true party mode on weekends. Below you will find the standouts, what each does best, and practical tips on when to go, how to avoid lines, and what to wear.

Quick map of the scene

Most action clusters on Newark Avenue’s pedestrian plaza by Grove Street PATH, plus a waterfront option at Exchange Place. This keeps hops between venues short and ride shares cheap.

The headliners

The Ashford: multi-level party with a rooftop

The Ashford mixes a high-energy main floor, a glamorous interior, and a rooftop that turns into a DJ-led scene on weekends. Expect bottle service options, theme nights, and late closing times that stretch to 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The venue sits steps from Grove Street PATH, which makes late exits easy. Ashford promotes “After Hours,” a game room, and frequent DJ programming through its site and Instagram.

Best for: Big-group nights, birthdays, and a classic club vibe without crossing the river.
Pro tip: Lines form after 11 p.m. Arrive by 10 for smoother entry.

Six26: LGBTQ+ lounge and rooftop with drag shows

Six26 is Jersey City’s LGBTQ+ anchor venue. The ground-floor lounge and garden-style rooftop host weekend DJs, drag brunches, and special dance parties. The name honors the 26 June 2015 Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, a story the venue leans into. Programming highlights and hours are listed on its site and social channels.

Best for: Inclusive parties, drag brunch, and dance nights with a friendly crowd.
Pro tip: Brunch shows sell out. Reserve seats ahead.

Porta Jersey City: pizza by day, dance floors by night

Do not let the Neapolitan pies fool you. On weekends, Porta’s multi-floor space flips into a dance party with DJs on the main floor and the Monk Room. The venue publishes “Happenings” and public events, and third-party listings regularly show late-night sets running until 2 a.m. Rooftop programming pops up seasonally.

Best for: Mixed groups who want dinner that goes straight into dancing.
Pro tip: Eat early downstairs, then stay as the lights dim and the DJ takes over.

RoofTop at Exchange Place: skyline views with weekend DJs

For Hudson River views and a retractable glass roof, head to RoofTop at Exchange Place. Weekends bring live DJs and a dressier vibe. Tourism and venue pages describe it as a day-to-night hot spot, and listings flag that it moves from chill weekdays to lively social nights on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect 21+ checks after 10 p.m.

Best for: Out-of-town visitors, date nights, and anyone chasing NYC skyline selfies.
Pro tip: Sunset slots book fast. Aim for early evening to catch golden hour before the party ramps up.

Cocktail-forward spots with a party pulse

Cellar 335: tiki energy, DJ nights here and there

Cellar 335 is a beloved modern tiki lounge with high-spirited crowds, strong cocktails, and a room that feels like a secret party. While it is more bar-restaurant than full club, weekend energy often edges into dance territory, and you will find late-night buzz and occasional DJ-led events.

Best for: Pre-game cocktails that may turn into an all-night hang.
Pro tip: Book a table. The room is intimate and fills up quickly.

Planning your night: when to go and what to expect

Best nights and timing

Fridays and Saturdays after 10 p.m. are when most spots flip from lounge to club mode with DJs. Venue pages and listings back up the weekend focus.
Weeknights are calmer. Good for views or cocktails without a packed dance floor.

Lines, covers, and age checks

Lines build at The Ashford, Porta, and RoofTop during warm months. Arrive before 11 p.m. to cut waits. Venue channels promote reservations or VIP tables if you want guaranteed entry.
Most venues are 21+ after 10 p.m. Check house rules before you go.
Covers are event-based. Holiday weekends and special DJ nights may add a door charge. Watch each venue’s events page.

Dress code

Smart casual works almost everywhere. Sneakers are fine at many spots, but athletic wear or beachwear can get bounced on peak nights, especially at RoofTop. Venue and tourism blurbs suggest a dressier weekend vibe.

Getting there and back

PATH to Grove Street places you by The Ashford, Porta, and Six26. PATH to Exchange Place drops you at RoofTop. Taxis and ride shares are easy on Newark Avenue and at the Hyatt House curb.

The short list: what each place is “best for”

Venue	What it nails	When to go	Nearby PATH
The Ashford	Multi-level club energy, bottle service, rooftop	Fri–Sat 10 p.m.–late	Grove Street
Six26	LGBTQ+ dance nights, drag brunch, friendly crowd	Weekends, brunch	Grove Street
Porta	Dinner-to-dance flow, multi-room DJs	Fri–Sat 10 p.m.–2 a.m.	Grove Street
RoofTop at Exchange Place	Skyline views, dressier DJ nights	Sunset into late Fri–Sat	Exchange Place
Cellar 335	Tiki cocktails, intimate party vibe	Weekend late evenings	Grove Street

Sources support programming, hours, and weekend DJ patterns at each venue.

Insider FAQs

Are there big, NYC-style superclubs in Jersey City?
No. Local threads and roundups note JC’s scene is smaller, with bars turning clubby on weekends. If you need a mega-room, Manhattan is one PATH stop away.

Where can I actually dance without leaving JC?
Your best bets most weekends are The Ashford, Six26, Porta, and RoofTop at Exchange Place. Each promotes DJs and late-night programming.

What about views?
RoofTop at Exchange Place is the clear skyline pick. The Ashford and Porta add seasonal rooftop events.

Why it matters

Visitors often default to Manhattan for nightlife. But if you are staying in Jersey City or want easier logistics and lower costs, these venues deliver real dance floors, quality DJs, and late hours without the commute. PATH access, compact distances, and reliable weekend programming make planning simple.

Sources:

The Ashford, “Restaurant, Lounge & Rooftop” and “After Hours” pages, https://www.theashfordjc.com/, accessed 2025-10-13.
Six26, “Premier LGBTQ Lounge & Rooftop,” programming and hours, https://www.six26.co/, accessed 2025-10-13.
Porta Jersey City, “Happenings” and venue pages, https://www.pizzaporta.com/jersey-city, https://www.smithmade.org/events/location/porta-jersey-city, accessed 2025-10-13.
RoofTop at Exchange Place, venue and events pages, https://www.rooftopxp.com/ and https://www.rooftopxp.com/jersey-city-happenings, accessed 2025-10-13.
Visit Hudson County, “RoofTop at Exchange Place” listing, https://www.visithudson.org/things-to-do/restaurants/the-rooftop-at-exchange-place/, accessed 2025-10-13.
Yelp, “Top Night Clubs and Lounges near Jersey City,” https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Night+Clubs&find_loc=Jersey+City%2C+NJ and https://www.yelp.com/biz/porta-jersey-city-2, accessed 2025-10-13.
NJ Monthly, “Cellar 335… Heartbeat of Jersey City,” https://njmonthly.com/articles/eat-drink/cellar-335-jersey-city-heartbeat/, accessed 2025-10-13.
Reddit r/jerseycity community discussion on clubs, https://www.reddit.com/r/jerseycity/comments/193r2jg/new_around_where_are_the_good_clubs/, accessed 2025-10-13.