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NYC is rightfully known for its nightlife, whether that means an open bar, an evening of DJs spinning mixes on turntables or a wild scene set around a functioning hot tub in the center of a dance floor. (No, really—that happens.) It's a fact, folks: the City's after-dark entertainment is just as innovative as it ever was. It's often said that New York is the City that never sleeps. In case you were wondering, here are just a few reasons why.

Fridays
The Bunker at Various Locations
This twice-monthly paean to electronic music cycles between Public Assembly, Output and Bossa Nova Civic Club, aiding Brooklyn in the borough’s storied quest for Most Outrageous Sound. Music is courtesy of DJs like Andy Stott and Atom™ (who used to be known as Señor Coconut), plus many, many special guests. For more info, visit beyondbooking.com/thebunker. 

Girls & Boys at Webster Hall
It takes two to tango—or, in the case of this Webster Hall standard, a crowd of 3,000 ladies and gents in the venue’s Grand Ballroom, as it floods with neon luminance and flashing lights. With a techno throwdown featuring some of the biggest names in dance music, this is not your grandfather’s polka party. Get your groove on to a raw and pumping bass, and hear some of the hippest electronic beats drop at the weekly rave. Past DJs have included MSTRKRFT, Justice, Simian Mobile Disco, Vitalic, A-Trak, Bloody Beetroots, Rusko, Neon Indian and more. For more info, visit websterhall.com.

Select Fridays at Le Bain  
Downtown jewelry maven Jules Kim and party promoter Katie Longmyer of Good Peoples present this weekly shindig at the Standard hotel. Expect a good mix of new tunes and nightlife types. For more info, visit Good Peoples on Facebook. 

Trash! at The Studio at Webster Hall
DJ Jess and Alex Malfunction helm this long-running evening in the basement of East Village party palace Webster Hall. Expect punk, new wave, indie, Brit pop and the like, plus a crowd that's ready to boogie. For more info, visit websterhall.com.

Saturdays
Coney Island Laser Shows at Sideshows by the Seashore 
July 6, August 3 & September 14
When used for good—like, say, to accompany an ear-blasting rendition of Dark Side of the Moon—lasers are cool. They’re even cooler when the show they’re appearing in takes place at Coney Island and features sideshow performances and a “rock ‘n’ roll disco live DJ pre-party.” For more info, visit coneyisland.com.
 
Dead Sexy at Times Scare
This Saturday-evening burlesque extravaganza features the talents of performers named Cheeky Lane, Dangrrr Doll and Minnie Tonka—so you’re forgiven if you thought this was a roller derby match. It’s not. The scantily clad adult entertainment begins at 10pm and continues tantalizing patrons until the wee hours. For more info, visit deadsexyburlesque.com.

Electric Beach  at Santos Party House 
Downtown’s signature dancehall hosts good EDM vibes every weekend with a roster of international electronic DJ/producer-types. Recent guests have included young Netherlander Julian Jordan, young Canadians Paris & Simo and young Italian EDX. The common denominator is, of course, youth—but also a Skrillexian sense of how to get a party moving. For more info, visit electricbeachnyc.com.

Mr. Choade’s Upstairs Downstairs at The Slipper Room
Expect adult entertainment at this long-running vaudeville-style shindig, where dance acts are punctuated with comedy performances (or is that the other way around?). Either way, this party is NSFW. Not that this party is anything like W at all. For more info, visit slipperroom.com.

MoMA PS1 Warm Up
June 29–September 7
Long Island City's long-running dance party returns for another season of Saturday-afternoon DJ happenings and musical performances. This party, which takes place in the courtyard of MoMA PS1, consistently offers up some of the music industry's best and brightest. For more info, visit momaps1.org. 

Sundays
Nouveau York at Le Bain
The good times never stop at The Standard hotel, André Balazs’ west-side party palace, the High Line–straddling edifice whose rooftop lounges have long been inseparable from the City’s nightlife scene. Sundays at Le Bain (one of the aforementioned drinking dens), Nouveau York holds sway from 9pm to 2am. Recent guest DJs have included Justin Miller, Jacques Renault and Parisian techno guru Rone. For more info, visit facebook.com/nouveauyork.

Smiths/Morrissey Night at Sway
Proving that misery actually does love company, Smiths/Morrissey Night at Sway has been ongoing for a decade now. Whether you're a die-hard fan of The Perks of Being a Wallflower (which practically promotes The Smiths on every page) or think Moz's bitterness is as perfect as his neatly coiffed sideburns, this weekly tribute is for you. The music is courtesy of Brian DeGraw and Ben Cho; the angst, on the other hand, is all yours. For (slightly) more info, visit swaylounge.com.

Mondays
Deep Space at Cielo
DJ François K.'s paean to Jamaican-inspired dub continues. The weekly celebration of spacey sounds and laid-back dance vibes features frequent guest DJs and a well-heeled crowd of appreciative party people. For more info, visit deepspacenyc.com.

Music Video Night at Bossa Nova Civic Club
This Bushwick party spot offers events most nights of the week from a variety of entertainers. Mondays belong to the visual presentations of Chris Video and friends, but see the club’s roster for your own personal optimal time to attend. Expect tropical décor and actual dancing. (Thanks to nymag.com for the tip.) For more info, visit bossanovacivicclub.com.

Tuesdays
Toca Tuesdays at Sutra
Tony Touch helms the decks at this low-key weekly. Expect hip-hop, house, reggae, funk and the like at this intimate bar/lounge, located near the corner of First and 1st—the nexus of the universe. For more info, visit sutranyc.com.

Westgay at Westway
This gay-friendly weekly took home Best Party honors at the 2012 Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards. It’s little wonder why: parties with this much energy—not to mention lipstick, eyeliner, deconstructed blouses, glitter, asymmetricality, fashion-forwardness, little hats, etc.—are at the core of what makes New York City nightlife famous. N.b.: Google the event at your own risk; the party photos can be quite risqué. For more info, see facebook.com/westgaynyc.

Props at (Le) Poisson Rouge
DJs Rich Medina and Akalepse bring the funk to LPR’s Gallery bar for this soulful weekly dance party. For more information, visit lepoissonrouge.com.

Roots at Cielo
Dance lovers get their fix every Wednesday night at this Meatpacking club from DJs Louie Vega and Kevin Hedge. The duo offers a selection of Latin- and jazz-influenced beats, and they help anchor the City's house-music scene. For more info, visit cieloclub.com.

Shaken & Stirred Burlesque at The Delancey
Every Wednesday at 9:30pm, Sugar Shack Burlesque brings a bit of vaudeville to The Delancey. Expect a fresh lineup of campy stars weekly, along with go-go dancers and DJs, including hostesses Scooter Pie and Runaround Sue, who intend to spin you deep into a decadent, lipstick-stained night. For more info, visit sugarshackburlesque.com.

Thursdays
Burlesque at the Beach at Coney Island USA 
NYC’s amusement park keeps things weird with bawdy performances every Thursday and Friday night throughout the summer. Oglers... er, we mean attendees can witness the feats of a selection of vaudeville artists from around the country, recently including Baltimore’s Sticky Buns—the intriguingly named Marla Meringue, Nicolette Le Faye and Shortstaxx. For more info, visit coneyisland.com (warning: link is mildly NSFW). 

Popshop at Santos Party House
Spencer Sweeney and Andrew W.K.’s lair of good times celebrates pop music the first Thursday of every month. Expect rotating DJs, live acts and, as previously mentioned, good times. For more info, visit santospartyhouse.com.

Rainbow in the Dark at Heathers
Unassuming East Village boîte Heathers—yes, named after the Christian Slater/Winona Ryder disaffected youth vehicle—hosts this party for metal enthusiasts who happen to be gay on the third Thursday of every month. Expect to hear a mix of everything from Motörhead to Mastodon. (Thanks again to nymag.com for the tip.) For more info (and a wealth of entertaining images), visit rainbowinthedarknyc.tumblr.com.