How to Find the Best DJ Events in NYC (and Where to Catch Them)

Looking for the best DJ sets in NYC tonight? You’re not alone. Whether you’re after an underground houseparty, an intimate lounge with high-caliber sound, or just wondering which New York DJs are spinning this weekend, the city’s nightlife scene delivers - if you know where to look.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to find the most exciting NYC DJ events, what makes a great DJ night (it’s not just the music), and where to go when you want your night to hit just right - including Riff Raff NYC, one of the city’s best-kept secrets for high-energy, low-ego DJ nights.

1. How to Find NYC DJ Events

Whether you’re planning ahead or deciding last minute, here’s how to tap into the pulse of the city’s DJ scene:

• Resident Advisor – The OG for underground listings, warehouse events, and international bookings.

• Dice & Fever – Solid for pop-up parties, rooftops, and buzzy one-off events.

• DoNYC – Curated roundups of nightlife happenings across genres.

• Instagram – Follow your favorite DJs, venues, and promoters. Most pop-up and indie events are posted there first.

• TikTok – Search "NYC DJ events" or browse tags like #nycdjs or #nycnightlife for real-time event vibes.

• Venue calendars – Bookmark spots you love. (Like ours at Riff Raff →)

The NYC DJ scene is massive and hyperlocal, one night can feel completely different from the next, even within the same block.

2. Where to Catch a Great DJ Set in NYC

No matter your vibe - deep house, disco, hip-hop, or high-energy mashups, these NYC venues consistently deliver on DJ talent, crowd, and atmosphere:

• Riff Raff (Midtown South) – Tucked behind velvet curtains just off 31st Street, Riff Raff is where DJs spin to a crowd that actually listens. The vibe is intimate, the cocktails are legit, and the music is always curated with intention. From house and disco to global grooves and late-night classics. If you're looking for a music-forward night without the velvet rope drama, this is your spot. See who's playing this weekend →

• Elsewhere (Bushwick) – Rooftop in the summer, dark rooms in the winter, and a rotating lineup of indie and electronic DJs.

• House of Yes (Bushwick) – Theatrical, immersive, and always a full-on experience.

• Silo (East Williamsburg) – NYC’s warehouse scene done right it’s raw, loud, and designed for deep sets.

• Le Bain (Meatpacking) – Glamorous with skyline views and funky French disco sets.

• The Sultan Room (Bushwick) – A vibey, intimate space that champions emerging DJs.

Whether you want to dance all night or sip cocktails while the beats roll in, NYC’s DJ venues cover the full spectrum.

3. What Makes a DJ Night Actually Good

Let’s be real - not every night out is worth the hangover. So what separates a forgettable DJ gig from one that lingers for all the right reasons?

• Curation: It’s not just about who’s playing, it’s how the night is designed. Great venues think about flow, energy, and lineup chemistry.

• Sound & Space: Bad acoustics kill good music. A venue that invests in sound (and how it fills the room) makes all the difference.

• Crowd Energy: The best parties attract people who are actually there for the music.

• Consistency: You want a spot you can return to and know it’ll hit, no matter who's spinning.

At Riff Raff, that consistency is baked in. Our sets are handpicked to match the vibe of the room,  whether that’s a dancefloor moment or a slow build that keeps the energy simmering. 

4. Why Riff Raff Should Be On Your Radar

Just south of Koreatown, Riff Raff NYC is where music lovers go when they’re over the mega-club chaos but still want to dance, drink, and be surprised. Think moody lighting, warm interiors, expertly made cocktails, and rotating DJ sets that lean into quality over clout.

Expect DJ sets every Thursday through Saturday (and occasional midweek pop-ups), featuring everything from vinyl-only selectors to dancefloor-focused house and disco. Want to see who’s spinning next? Check the calendar →