In a remarkable display of the global electronic music scene’s strength and resilience, the highly anticipated results of the 2023 Top 100 Clubs have been unveiled. This announcement coincides with the World Health Organization’s declaration that Covid-19 is no longer a “global health emergency.” While the impact of the pandemic, which brought clubbing to a halt for a significant portion of the past three years, still lingers, the spirit of the scene remains unyielding.
This year, one country that has left a lasting impression on the world clubbing circuit is the United States. After reclaiming the title of having the most ranked clubs in 2022, the US has further elevated its status with an additional three clubs, bringing the total to 19. This surge undoubtedly reflects the continuous growth and diversification of the mainstream scene in the US, with numerous EDM superstars gravitating towards tech-house, a renewed appreciation for the iconic house and techno sounds that emerged from the ’80s in Chicago and Detroit, and the ever-present influence of bass music. Notably, the New York mega-venue Avant Gardner & The Brooklyn Mirage has made an impressive breakthrough into the top 10. The US is responsible for one-third of the 12 new clubs, including two from the capital city, and the highest new entry of 2023, the sizzling hotspot, The Concourse Project, located in Texas. Additionally, Canada and Mexico have contributed to the region’s success, with Montréal’s New City Gas returning to the poll after a hiatus since 2016 and Hardpop in Juárez rejoining the top 100 after a 12-year absence. North America now boasts a total of 23 clubs, securing the second spot in the continental rankings, ahead of Asia’s 20 polling clubs.
South America remains a steadfast presence, with a total of 10 entries, six of which hail from the clubbing capital of the region, Brazil. Green Valley, a Brazilian club that has secured the top spot five times (second only to the legendary Space Ibiza’s six), may not have reclaimed the title this year but continues to hold an impressive third place. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as the club was devastated by a cyclone in 2020, requiring a complete rebuild. Surreal Park, a newcomer from the D-EDGE team, has achieved the continent’s biggest gain by climbing eight places this year.
Representing the southern hemisphere for the second consecutive year is Australia’s Home The Venue, ensuring that every clubbing continent is well-represented. Meanwhile, South Africa’s venue, And, joins the poll, and Nairobi’s MUZE has soared 12 places, marking the first time since 2014 that Africa boasts two venues in the top 100, a testament to the continent’s growing influence on the global clubbing stage.
Asia has garnered the majority of new entries, a region that has often held that distinction in the past due to China’s proliferation of superclubs. However, stringent pandemic restrictions have hindered the country’s electronic music expansion. While China still maintains the largest share of Asian clubs this year, with four entries, it’s the wider region that bolsters Asia’s overall presence. Indonesia introduces two new clubs to the list, and Japan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates each contribute one. Singapore’s iconic Zouk makes a triumphant return to the top 10 after missing out in 2022, and Hong Kong’s BOOMERANG, which ascended an impressive 26 places last year, continues its upward trajectory, climbing an additional 20 spots to claim the title of Highest Climber in 2023.
Europe remains at the pinnacle with a total of 44 clubs on the list, albeit a slight decrease from the previous year. The United
Kingdom, although experiencing a decline to a total of nine clubs compared to the 13 it had in 2022, manages to secure a new entry through Beams, the sister venue of Printworks London, which itself achieves its highest-ever placement after reopening in May.
On the European continent, Italy proudly introduces the final new entry with the Venetian club, After Caposile, while Amsterdam’s De School rejoins the poll following its reopening late last year. Hï Ibiza maintains its position at the coveted No.1 spot for the second consecutive year, and sister club Ushuaïa reclaims its place in the top five. Amnesia remains firmly in the top 10, although other iconic Ibiza spots have experienced a slight decline. Additionally, Croatia, another Mediterranean stronghold of clubbing, witnesses some venues slipping in the poll. However, Dubrovnik’s Culture Club Revelin achieves a breakthrough, securing a spot in the top 20, nine years after its initial entry into the poll.
As we reflect on the past three years of worldwide disruption, the 2023 Top 100 Clubs poll has witnessed a record-breaking number of votes, nearly 700,000, resulting in one of the most geographically diverse lists to date. The reign of dance music’s global dominance persists, igniting excitement and anticipation for the future of the electronic music scene.
Check out the entire ranking on DJ MAG’s official site: https://djmag.com/top100clubs
