The Top 5 Reggaeton Clubs in New York City
Whether you are from the city or just visiting, you immediately become aware of the melting pot of cultures that makes the city unique. It is a city of “littles”: Little Italy, Little Brazil, Little Dominican Republic and so on– the point is you can visit and experience cultures outside of your own with just one swipe of your metro card.
From dawn till dusk the city is in constant motion. As the night approaches, so too does the nightlife in the city that never sleeps. For those of you looking to broaden your clubbing horizons and experience something outside of the typical rave, Reggaeton clubs are your NEW best friend!
Popularized in the1990’s in Puerto Rico, Reggaeton music has skyrocketed in popularity in the United States in recent years, thanks to artists like Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Rosalia, J-Balvin and more. It’s integration of Afro-Carribean and Latin American music styles makes it enticing for a broad range of audiences and the perfect soundtrack for a night in NYC.
Ready to take a trip? Here are 5 popular reggaeton spots to visit on your next night out in the city.
Kana Tapas Bar
324 Spring St New York, NY 10013
(212) 343- 8180
Located on the edge of SoHo, Kana Tapas Bar has the bites and beats to make any evening! Kana’s is a lowkey tapas-style restaurant that packs a punch with bold Spanish culinary staples such as Patatas Bravas, Gambas al ajillo, Empanadas, Croquete, Paella and much more. The space is intimate with romantic lighting, perfect for a night of dinner and dancing. In addition to the fantastic food, the bar pays homage to it’s Spanish roots by hosting a series of Latin parties throughout the week and into the weekend. For Reggaeton, Kana Tapas Bar’s Noche de Rumba nights are a crowd favorite. Noche de Rumba, meaning night of dance, attendees can expect to hear anything from Reggaeton to 80’s classics. If a night filled with mouthwatering food and exceptional music suits your fancy, Kana’s Tapas Bar is your place!
Iguana Restaurant and Dance Lounge
240 W 54th St New York, NY 10019
(212) 765-5454
Margaritas, mojitos and music! Do we need anything more?! Mexican restaurant Iguana Restaurant and Dance Lounge is centrally located between NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown East neighborhoods. This bar is a must stop! Iguana’s offers nearly 30 variations of their signature drinks from mango to passionfruit to spicy diablo and jalapeno. If you are searching for a decadent option, your drink of choice could be the butter scotch, cinnamon or the chocolate variation– there is truly something for everyone! As the night unfolds and drinks in order, the restaurant, now turned nightclub, comes to life. Along with $6 beers and Margaritas, Iguana’s Latin Sundays include Dj sets featuring Reggaeton, Salsa, Merengue and more!
Harbor Lights Yacht Skyport Marina
2430 FDR Drive @ East 23rd St. New York, NY 10010
(212) 532- 4546
Interested in testing the Reggaeton club waters? The Harbor Lights Yacht is the place for you! The Harbor Lights Yacht docked east of Union Square at Skyport Marina, is New York City’s top rated party cruise (and for good reason). The three deck yacht’s bright white walls in combination with the radiant neon lighting is completely mesmerising! Attendees board the luxurious yacht for a night of dancing, drinks, small bites and sightseeing! The sail along the coast provides a view of the city’s breathtaking skyline illuminated by the bright lights of Manhattan. Just when you thought it could not get any better, the Harbor Lights Yacht experience is elevated further by the rhythms of reggaeton booming through the speakers sending passengers into complete bliss! This ship is NOT one to let sail.
Club Cache
35 E 13th St Fl 2 New York, NY 10003
(917) 684- 8584
It would be a shame to step past this one! Three levels of nonstop fun, Club Cache is a Latin Club to take note of. Located on the edge of Union Square park, Club Cache is known to host the biggest Latin Parties in the city featuring Latin Mixes as well as FREE salsa dance classes. Though temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this spot prides itself on the diverse crowd it draws and the unique experience provided when in full operation. Club Cache’s Latin Mix Saturday’s incorporate Reggaeton, Bachata, Merengue and more into the party to keep the night going! Club Cache invites dancers from all over the world to take part in classes offered at the club and encourages newcomers to take part in the fun!
Bembe
81 S 6th St Brooklyn, NY 11249
(718) 387-5389
A new approach to nightlife in the city! Bembe nightclub invites it’s visitors to take a step back from the modern iterations of Reggaeton in exchange for the genre’s preceding sounds of Afro-Carribean and Latin influence. Located in Brooklyn near the famous Williamsburg Bridge, the sounds of Bembe’s live percussionist escape into the surrounding area drawing a host of crowds into the intimate space. Whether you prefer the modern takes on reggaeton or you are looking to hear something a bit more acoustically driven, Bembe is the place to explore and embrace an earlier version of the ever changing and constantly developing music genre of reggaeton. To know something is to appreciate and find beauty in where it comes from, a feat accomplished beautifully by the nightclub treasure, Bembe.
