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The Haçienda, Manchester, UK -

The Haçienda was pivotal during the Madchester years, when acid house and the raving scene exploded in the UK. 

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The Haçienda, Manchester, UK -

Bands would play and DJs would make everyone dance. The club opened its doors in 1982 and closed in 1997. The Haçienda remains one of the most important nightclubs in music history. 

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Paradise Garage, New York City, US -

Located in a converted parking garage on 84 King Street, Paradise Garage became the home of disco in 1977 and became a household name in dance music up until it closed its doors a decade later.

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Paradise Garage, New York City, US -

Paradise Garage was the place to hang out and one of the most important nightclubs in LGBTQ history. Paradise Garage is also known for resident DJ Larry Levan, who is a dance music icon.  

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Studio 54, New York City, US -

One of the most hyped nightclubs in the history of the Big Apple, Studio 54 was as wild, decadent, glamorous, and exclusive as anyone could imagine. 

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Studio 54, New York City, US -

All the hottest celebs partied at Studio 54. Customers would rub shoulders with the likes of Andy Warhol, Diana Ross, Mick Jagger, Liz Taylor, Debbie Harry, and Grace Jones, to name a few. 

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Pacha, Ibiza, Spain -

The iconic cherries from the Pacha logo are instantly recognizable. Since 1973, the club has welcomed millions of party people. Today, the Pacha Group has expanded to several locations around the world. 

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Berghain, Berlin, Germany -

Berghain is one of the most iconic clubs in the world. Located inside a former power plant, Berghain's wild party scene (and strict door policy) attracts visitors from all around the world. 

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Berghain, Berlin, Germany -

With its roots in Berlin's fetish scene, Berghain quickly became a techno mecca. Pictured is the inside of the building during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the club temporarily closed its doors.  

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The Tunnel, New York City, US -

The Tunnel was one of the most iconic nightclubs in NYC. It was located in the former Terminal Warehouse Company Central Stores Building. 

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The Tunnel, New York City, US -

The club featured unisex bathrooms and had multiple levels and rooms, including a ball room, literally. Fun fact: Vin Diesel worked there as a bouncer. The Tunnel closed its doors in 2001.

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Womb, Tokyo, Japan -

Womb is the most popular nightclub in Shibuya, Tokyo. It opened its doors in 2000 and has since become one of the must-visit hotspots in the capital. 

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Limelight, New York City, US -

Located in a converted Episcopal church, Limelight opened its doors in 1983. Other nightclubs have opened in Chicago, Atlanta, London, and Hallandale, FL, but the one in Manhattan was truly special. 

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Amnesia, Ibiza, Spain -

The legendary Balearic club changed the nightclub scene in Ibiza when it switched from regular club hours to after-hours. This became the place to go when other clubs were calling it a day. 

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Amnesia, Ibiza, Spain -

The club, which opened its doors in 1976, has come a long way and is now one of the most famous on the island—and in the world.

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Fabric, London, UK -

Fabric has been a household name in the London club scene since 1999. It has an eclectic music selection with different club nights, and ranks among the best clubs in the world. 

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The Palladium, New York City, US -

The Palladium operated as a concert hall, a movie theatre, and later as a nightclub. The conversion into nightclub was done by former Studio 54 owners Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell.

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The Palladium, New York City, US -

In 1985, The Palladium officially became part of the vibrant New York club scene. Pictured is Boy George during the opening night. 

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Space, Ibiza, Spain -

Space opened its doors in 1986 and has hosted thousands of parties until it closed its doors in 2016. 

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Space, Ibiza, Spain -

Space was reborn across the pond as Club Space Miami, though the original still holds its legendary status.

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Zouk, Singapore -

Zouk is an iconic dance music club brand in Southeast Asia. The original nightclub in Singapore opened in 1991 and is rated one of the best in the world. The brand then expanded to Malaysia, Japan, and the US.

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Ministry of Sound, London, UK -

The iconic South London club fist opened its doors in a converted bus depot in 1991. It has since become a household music brand. 

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Ministry of Sound, London, UK -

Ministry of Sound remains a dance music mecca with an award-winning sound system and some of the world's best DJs. The brand also released several compilation albums. 

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Twilo, New York City, US -

Twilo is another epic New York nightclub. It was open from 1995 to 2001. Twilo operated in the former space of yet another iconic NYC club: The Sound Factory (1989-1995).

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Turnmills, London, UK -

The Turnmills building was home to a nightclub that began operating in 1985. It was the first venue in the UK to obtain a 24-hour alcohol license. The building (pictured) was demolished in 2011.

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Turnmills, London, UK -

The Xanadu club nights in the early days were a success. As was Trade, a famous 1990s gay club night and first legal after-hours club in the country.

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Torture Garden, London, UK -

Located in a former church in Brixton, Torture Garden became famous as Europe’s biggest fetish club. The dress code is very strict. No jeans, denim, suits, cotton shirts, or t-shirts are allowed. 

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Copacabana, New York City, US -

The Copacabana was immortalized in several songs, including the famous 1978 one by Barry Manilow. 

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Copacabana, New York City, US -

A scene in the 1990 movie 'Goodfellas' give us a glimpse of what the Copa may have been like in its heyday.

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Cream (Nation), Liverpool, UK -

Cream was a music promotion trio that held club nights at the Nation nightclub in Liverpool. Renowned DJ Paul Oakenfold was a resident there in the late 1990s. 

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Gatecrasher, Sheffield, UK -

Gatecrasher might not be the most famous club in the world, but it certainly deserves a mention for the role the brand Gatecrasher had in the UK club scene. The club stared in 1996 and in 2007 a fire destroyed the building, closing its door permanently.  

Sources: (Billboard) (Complex) (NME) (Rate Your Music)

See also: The most unique concert venues around the world

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