Ever wondered what the floor is like? Is there even a dance floor? Carpet, concrete or wood? Let me help you out. Here is a list of some dance venues with some hints about what you may find when you get there. I’ve given a verdict based on how bouncy, slippery and large the dance floor is – having all of these makes for a high verdict. If you like atmosphere, Palmers & Co is hard to beat although you should check the band too.
Going to an unlisted venue? Drop me a line and let me know so I can update this listing.
Arthur Murray Studio
📍 276 Norton St, Leichhardt, NSW map ↗
The Dance Studio is upstairs with an excellent, wood effect floor is slippery and spacious with mirrors down one side and a slightly raised area for a band. Opposite the mirrors is a good-sized seating area and bar.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 25 June 2026 | 7:00pm | The Jitterbug Club | Dance | $23 |
| Sat 25 July 2026 | 7:00pm | The Jitterbug Club | Dance | $23 |
Ashfield RSL
📍 374 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, NSW map ↗
The dance floor is upstairs and traditional sprung wood surrounded by carpet. At one end, plastic flooring has been added to extend the dance area and the other is a carpeted seating area.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
No upcoming events listed.
Freeway Hotel
📍 115 Reserve Rd, Artarmon, NSW map ↗
The area is split into three, a larger, lower carpeted area a middle section (polished wood, sprung) shared with the band and a smaller upper carpeted area. This is an excellent venue for dancers – somewhere to sit and chat with easy access to a slippery spung dance floor.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 20 June 2026 | 2:00pm–5:00pm | Bob Henderson Jazz Band | Live | $15 |
| Sat 27 June 2026 | Geoff Power's Jazz Band | Live | ||
| Sat 4 July 2026 | Al Davey's Groovers | Live | ||
| Sat 18 July 2026 | Bob Henderson Jazz Band | Live | ||
| Sat 25 July 2026 | Geoff Power's Jazz Band | Live | ||
| Sat 1 Aug 2026 | Al Davey's Groovers | Live | ||
| Sat 15 Aug 2026 | Bob Henderson Jazz Band | Live | ||
| Sat 22 Aug 2026 | Geoff Power's Jazz Band | Live | ||
| Sat 5 Sept 2026 | Al Davey's Groovers | Live | ||
| Sat 19 Sept 2026 | Bob Henderson Jazz Band | Live | ||
| Sat 26 Sept 2026 | Geoff Power's Jazz Band | Live |
Government House
📍 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW map ↗
Historic vice-regal residence hosting the annual Jazz at the House event. Jazz@TheHouse is held most first Sunday's of the month and is a great venue for an afternoon's picnic with Jazz music. Options for dancing include on the grass or a small (3mx3m) hessian mat just in front of the band (and audience). Good space for one couple, bit more challenging for two.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 2 Aug 2026 | 12:00pm–3:00pm | Band TBC | Live | free |
Granville Diggers
📍 5 Memorial Dr, Granville, NSW map ↗
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 20 June 2026 | 2:00pm–5:00pm | The Aston Martinis | Live | |
| Sat 18 July 2026 | 2:00pm–5:00pm | The Aston Martinis | Live |
LazyBones Lounge
📍 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville, NSW map ↗
Entry is on Illawarra Rd where they'll check your ticket/take payment and then you head up two flights of stairs. There is a small space in front of the bands and some space between tables – all on carpet though.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
No upcoming events listed.
Magpies
📍 11-37 Alexandria Parade, Waitara, NSW map ↗
Literally across the road from Waitara station, this is a large venue. After signing in head to the left of the entrance desk towards a large room with a wooden (sprung I think) dance floor about 10mx5m in size. The dance floor is between a large, carpeted seating area and raised stage for the band. The space is airconditioned.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 28 June 2026 | 2:00pm–5:00pm | The Aston Martinis | Live |
Marrickville Bowling Club
📍 91 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville, NSW map ↗
After signing in and entering you are at the bar with a parquet dance floor (on concrete) between you and the stage for the band (unless the Mortal Blow Big Band are on). The floor is quite varied, sometimes tacky and other times slippery and management ask for no talc – you’ve been warned!
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
No upcoming events listed.
Miss Celie's
📍 15-17 Hercules St, Ashfield, NSW map ↗
Although we love Miss Celie's for the range and number of nights with music, there is no specific dance area at Miss Celie’s. You may be able to squeeze in a few turns between tables or by the sofas if it is not too busy. Carpet or concrete depending where you are in the venue.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
No upcoming events listed.
Paddington RSL
📍 232 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW map ↗
There are two areas you may end up dancing: Upstairs and Downstairs. Upstairs is an excellent place with wooden dance floor and raised seating around (venue rating is for this foor). Downstairs there is a stage with a carpeted area in front. There is plenty of space (between tables) to dance but it is all on carpet.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 28 June 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Bonnie Kay and the Sweet Patooties | Live |
Palmer & Co
📍 Abercrombie Lane, Sydney, NSW map ↗
Walk downstairs and enter the atmosphere of the 1920 speakeasy, prohibition style bar with waiters in costume and amazing decor. There is no dance floor so if it’s not too busy then you can dance on the micro-tiled floor – hard but slippery. A good chance to practice close dancing! To be welcome here, you’ll need to buy a drink and, perhaps, something to eat.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 16 June 2026 | 7:00pm–10:00pm | Queenie & The Cavaliers | Live | |
| Wed 17 June 2026 | 7:00pm–10:00pm | King Creole Band | Live | |
| Tue 23 June 2026 | 7:00pm–10:00pm | George Washingmachine | Live | |
| Thu 25 June 2026 | 8:30pm–12:30am | The Roslyns | Live | |
| Wed 22 July 2026 | 7:00pm–10:00pm | The Aston Martinis | Live |
Pratton Park Bowling Club
📍 42 Arthur Street, Ashfield, NSW map ↗
The main hall is a wooden floor with the band at one end and tables and chairs surrounding it. Yes, the floor is slippery and may be sprung. There is usually food on sale at the bar in the enjoining room – a tip, don’t order a glass of wine; go for a whole bottle!
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 27 June 2026 | Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band | Dance | ||
| Sat 25 July 2026 | Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band | Dance | ||
| Sat 22 Aug 2026 | Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band | Dance | ||
| Sat 26 Sept 2026 | Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band | Dance |
Randwick Golf Club
📍 1 Howe St, Randwick, NSW map ↗
Generally the band plays outside on a concrete veranda with lovely views out to sea. Can be a bit windy though. If it's wet, the play inside the club.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 21 June 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | DC3 & the High Flyers | Live | |
| Sun 19 July 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | DC3 & the High Flyers | Live |
St. Stephen's Hall
📍 189 Church St, Newtown, NSW map ↗
Walk up a few steps into the main hall which has seen better days… that doesn’t stop the dancing though. The floor is a wooden floor which is reasonably slippery. Parking is a challenge so best to take public transport – bring your own drinks, there’s no bar.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 10 July 2026 | 7:00pm–10:30pm | Swing Patrol | Dance | Class $20 (includes social entry), Social Dancing $15 |
| Fri 14 Aug 2026 | 7:00pm–10:30pm | Swing Patrol | Dance | Class $20 (includes social entry), Social Dancing $15 |
| Fri 11 Sept 2026 | 7:00pm–10:30pm | Swing Patrol | Dance | Class $20 (includes social entry), Social Dancing $15 |
Surfboat Brewery
📍 14 Jubilee Ave, Warriewood, NSW map ↗
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 26 July 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | The Aston Martinis | Live |
The Polish Club
📍 182 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield, NSW map ↗
The Polish Club stands back from Liverpool Rd so you'll need to walk down the drive to the entrance. After signing in, head right towards the bar and an immediate left to the ball room. Nice slipy dance floor with plenty of space for dancing. The floor is usually surrounded by tables. Food and drinks are available from the bar or in the dining room.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 14 June 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Bonnie Kay and the Sweet Patooties | Live | Free |
| Sun 5 July 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Bonnie Kay and the Sweet Patooties | Live | Free |
The Wriggle Room 🌐
📍 201 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville, NSW map ↗
Enter the Wiggle Room is a dance club that is entered via the Subway Sandwich shop on the corner of Gamers Rd & Marrickville Rd. Head up the stairs to your right and you'll arrive in a space made for dancers! Mirrors down one wall, aircon and a nice slippy dance floor (although not sprung). All space is devoted to dance. The Wriggle Room (opened in 2024) was created by dancers Trudi, Squish and Dean who have each been involved in the Sydney Swing, Rock'n’Roll, Rockabilly and Ballroom scenes for over 24 years.
Verdict on floor space for dancers: ★★★★★
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 27 June 2026 | 10:00pm–11:45pm | Team Wriggle | Dance | $10.00 |
Unity Hall
📍 292 Darling St, Balmain, NSW map ↗
The upstairs band area has recently been rennovated – yet to check out the improvements!
| Date | Time | Artist / Event | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 5 July 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Dan Barnett's Big Band | Live | $20 |
| Sun 2 Aug 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Dan Barnett's Big Band | Live | $20 |
| Sun 6 Sept 2026 | 3:00pm–6:00pm | Dan Barnett's Big Band | Live | $20 |