CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. Sydney's "superclub," this venue is known for its state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and broadcasting equipment. A gorgeous fish tank provides a focal point in the space, which includes comfortable seating alongside the dance floors. Gay and straight patrons mix easily, all wearing the latest, minimal club gear. Upstairs, the music is trance, tribal, and hard house, but on the ground floor, you can groove to more commercial dance tunes. Everything is high-energy, and it's definitely a place to sweat off your cares and prove your dancing mettle. To get here, try the buses up Oxford Street, or make the 10 minute walk from Museum Station. ARQ has a 24 hour license, so closing times vary considerably and depend on the crowd.

PYRMONT. A more dressed-up venue where patrons over 30 don't feel ancient, this club welcomes a slightly older, slightly classier clientele. Inside, you can choose from the Cave Bar, which has a huge dance floor, or the Velvet Room, which is more laid back with comfy chairs and cushions. Either way, you'll be entertained by a mix of music, including dance, R&B, Latin, and funk. Live bands play on the weekends, and you can nurse a drink on the perimeter or jump in and show off your favorite dance moves. Take the light rail, the free shuttle bus to Sydney Harbour Casino, or the monorail to Harbourside.

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. The Civic Hotel consists of three levels: the top level is a Mediterranean style restaurant, the middle level is a pub and the lower level is a nightclub. A perfect spot for unwinding after a hectic day at work, the pub attracts lots of professionals during the week and a more funky clientele on the weekends. On any given day, DJs and bands play a range of music, from jazz and lounge to house and techno. On Saturdays, drag shows will often hold your attention; otherwise, the attractive patrons and the Art Deco architecture will serve that purpose. The hotel is a short walk from either Central or Town Hall station.

KINGS CROSS. Dark, intimate, and smoky, this long-lived club has a host of regulars who just love to dance. More than a see-and-be-seen establishment, it's popular with university students and others who, indifferent to the fashion scene, are simply looking for a good time. The music has different focuses on different nights but ranges from indie and funk to hip-hop and trance. Since the place is small, an entrance policy is in effect, but it's to restrict the number of guests rather than make decisions on the basis of dress or appearance. Walk from Museum Station, or take buses 323, 324, 325 from Circular Quay.

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. Known for its cheap drinks and friendly service, this club welcomes patrons reliving their youth and younger crowds who are discovering icons from the 70s and 80s for the first time. The underground bar has a large dance floor accented with mirror balls and colored lights, and pool tables provide a pleasant diversion while you're catching your breath. Lively and fun, the place has a terrific atmosphere that makes people want to return many times over. A short walk from Wynyard or Martin Place stations.