Rise, Boston
It started out as a gay club, but in the past year Rise has become very mixed, to the point where “it’s split even,” according to Darrin Morda, co-owner with partner Tom Beaulieu. This year, the 300-capacity, 3,600-square-foot private club hosted a number of international DJ flavored events with jocks like Gabriel & Dresden and Victor Calderone, while Steve Porter and Craig Mitchell held down the fort as residents. People come for the intimate atmosphere and also to party well into the morning, sometimes until nine a.m.: After an inspiring legal fight with the city, Rise is still the only venue allowed to stay open past Boston’s two a.m. curfew. –DS
www.riseclub.us

Sullivan Room, New York
This subterranean dance den in coed-heavy Greenwich Village continues to turn out late-night DJ events to packed crowds, where the room often fills up well past four a.m. With plenty of corridors to get lost in, doors that seem to appear then disappear, and a willingness to book adventurous DJs that other local spots won’t touch, it’s no wonder so many clubbers are proud to call Sully their weekend home. The venue is planning a substantial expansion, and a switch to a Core Audio sound system in 2007. –DS
www.sullivanroom.com

Stereo, Montreal
With an intimate, old school, one-room setting, househead favorite Stereo is still carrying the music-first flag up North. Despite much-publicized internal upheaval, this year was a strong one, with residents Victor Calderone, David Morales, Hector Romero and Chus & Ceballos playing sets that stretched into the next day. The venue has also diversified its format, and plans to brand stylistically diverse theme nights in 2007: While Saturday will continue catering to house, “Voices” will be tech-prog, “Tribalicious” will be all about the drums, and “Energize” will center on the popular electro-house vibe. –DS
www.stereo-nightclub.com

The Endup, San Francisco
In a town obsessed with the latest, shiniest version of everything, it’s amazing how the 34-year-old Endup continues to impress SF’s partiers with a look and vibe as old-school and as comfortable as that old pair of jeans the door staff just let you get in with. Chi-chi clubbers continue to mix it up with the bare-chested gay crowd, and bi-monthly Reggae Gold party feeds the need for an oft-neglected portion of the club community. It’s not the first time you’ve nominated this club as one of your favorites (it won the category in 2004), and we’re sure it won’t be the last, either. –JH
www.theendup.com