The nightlife sector here in Beijing has flourished into somewhat of a booming industry over the past few years. As the city continues to modernize and become more international the bar scene is growing wider and more robust.

Dance clubs in particular have seen an immense rise in popularity as more and more late night discos have proliferated throughout the city. Students and professionals alike, both foreign and local, have shown an increasing tendency to seek out these large and exciting new venues.

In preparation for the summer season, CCTV.com English kicks off our 'Summer Nights in Beijing' series by presenting our own definitive guide to some of the best dance clubs Beijing has to offer.

VICS

E! Entertainment Television says VICS is the "hottest, hippest nightlife destination in Beijing". Located by the Workers Stadium, VICS is conveniently situated near Beijing's main bar area, Sanlitun. The venue includes a sports bar and restaurant. However, the dance club itself is what offers the most fulfilling late night experience.

VICS has a large dance floor consistently packed with lively young patrons. The music sets generally consist of a balanced combination of mainstream r&b, pop, soul, reggae and hip-hop hits, and the crowd is always energetic and ready to have a good time. This venue has a wide range of appeal and is the type of place virtually anyone can enjoy.

The clientele is a mix of both local and expatriate regulars, and includes a lot of young twenty-somethings and college-aged partiers.

Every Wednesday night is Ladies Night, with free drinks for girls until midnight, and there are plenty of special events and shows hosted on weekends.

This club comes highly recommended. If you're looking for a wonderful night out drinking and dancing to the latest hits, VICS is the place to be.

Where: Inside Workers' Stadium north gate

Opening Hours: 8:30 pm-very late

Dada

Dada is probably the best club to reach for anyone who enjoys alternative electronic music. Located at Gulou Dongdajie,this hip, mid-sized DJ bar maintains a dark, cool atmosphere and a chich interior decor. They have a decent-sized dance floor with plenty of couch space and a musical repertoire that boasts a wide variety of alternative sets; they play anything from drum ’n’ bass and skweee to psytrance and cold wave (among other avant-garde genres). Drinks are relatively cheap at around 25-40 RMB for drafts and cocktails, and the service is incredibly efficient.

Moreover,due to its high credibility as a reliable live venue,Dada has attracted a number of internationally famous artists to perform there.

This location is one of the most interesting night clubs in Beijing. If you’re looking for a place with compelling, alternative music, Dada is definitely your spot.

Where: Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8 pm-3 am

Element Club

Located in Gongti in the luxurious east side of Beijing, Element Club is the high-end type of place you might be looking for if you have money to spare.

With a sleek, modern design, the interior includes hydraulic stages and professional pole dancers. Dance floor space is forfeited in favor of more table space, where customers can order bottle service. This is a great venue for corporate events, networking functions,and casual nights out, provided you are a member of the somewhat more affluent crowd.

Where: 58 Gongti West Road 工体西门北侧20米

Opening Hours: 9 pm-5 am

These are only a few of the vast multiplicity of thrilling dance clubs you will encounter here in Beijing. All kinds of fantastic hangouts line the streets of SanLiTun, Gongti, Gulou, and Houhai.

We hope that this guide has been useful. Make sure to check out next week’s edition of ‘Summer Nights in Beijing’ where we will present our list of the best lounge bars in the city.