A night out at the Clarendon Ballroom (aka the Clarendon Popup Bar) is always a grand old time. Despite the name it is not a place for ballroom dancing. Instead the music skews more towards the "urban" side but its still very enjoyable. The DJs who rotate through on the weekend are all very skilled and know precisely when to transition the music into some Papa Roach to really get the crowd amped up. The standout highlight by far, however, is the shiny-headed bald bartender. I believe the other bartenders refer to him as Twinkerbell? He always pours a delicious but stiff drink with just the right amount of alcohol to get you feeling good without feeling like you're just drinking straight liquor. He is a consummate gentleman and a real hoot to boot. It's always a pleasure being serviced by him. If this bar ever were to go on Bar Rescue, I'm sure that the curmudgeonly Jon Taffert would be enchanted by the young Twinkerbell. If I had to mention one complaint, I just wish that they would hold events for the under 21 crowd every once in a while so that my 16 year-old girlfriend could accompany me here. They also have a strict "No firearms" policy which even extends to Glocks, so don't forget to leave yours at home or in the car outside. read more

The bartender thought I wasn't paying attention and tried to charge me $870 for two vodka sodas and two shots. The place is scammy. Watch your transactions. read more

Would come back for a themed event for a little older crowd. Seating was almost non existent. Such a large venue but music vibe was more for a younger crowd. The bar area is extensive and staff if friendly. Restrooms are in the bottom level. read more

Loved the bathroom. Seriously cool little shop in there. Had the worst SOTB I've ever had, not a drop of anything that passed as orange juice or grenadine, so hopefully there was at least vodka in that sugary nightmare. Overpriced and small drinks - they were charging Nova cocktail prices for a drink I would expect out of an underclassman bar. read more

bouncer was extremely rude and on a power trip. the service is absolutely horrible. the bar next door (spider Kelly's) was a million times better. Will never try to go to the ballroom again. read more

Great food, drinks, and service! Went for prode event and had a ball. Ordered strips and fries! read more

Clarendon Ballroom - Fries - Dance Clubs Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Clarendon Ballroom is one of the better places to dance to top 40, (pop) hip hop, and popular throwback music along the Wilson Boulevard strip. Granted, that's not the highest threshold to cross, but I think it says something that this place has stayed around while many other bars have come and gone. It's often crowded, but it's usually not so crazy that you need to wait for hours to get in. The dance floor is pretty big, so it's relatively easy to carve out a space for your crew. Like most of North Arlington, the vibe is relatively laid back yet somewhat preppy - a lot of former frat bros who are now a few years into the workforce but not yet ready to give up all their glory days. I just come to dance, not mingle, so as long as the crowd is relatively tame I'm happy. I've never had a bad night at Clarendon Ballroom and I'll probably keep ending up back here. read more

Billed mainly as a dance club, the Clarendon Ballroom also specializes in private events. It is the latter I'm reviewing this under. I recently participated in a private party at this facility and thoroughly enjoyed my time here. The Ballroom is situated along Wilson Blvd., in an area of Arlington that sees a busy nightlife. This place is usually a dance club, but closes whenever a private event can be booked. I've heard anecdotes the club is okay, but I never got to experience it for myself. The building is old and possess a lot of character. It has an art deco vibe and fits with the 1920s/1930s feel of the area. As fun as this is, the building is dated and could be cared for better. The layout is spacious: seating area inside the window with couches and chairs, cocktail area for tables in the lobby, stairs leading down to extra rooms, restrooms, coat check; the bar is long and wood, very classic and lines the right wall; the old wood dance floor fills the main space with a 'stage' area along the back wall. Elevators are at the rear for people needing them. The bar has 3 areas of taps and an entire wall of liquors. The staff changes per event, but I was very happy with everyone working the evening I came. There is also a rooftop bar and lounge area during the more pleasant months. From my friends that planned the event: they were happy with the communication and working with the staff. It was a fun location, full of character. read more

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I'm having a hard time giving this place a half a Star or 0 Stars. This is the most worst and portentous night club in the planet and I hope it shuts down. The door men will purposely hold the line for an hour knowing the club is empty and then they will increase the price by 5x ($30 - $50) knowing the customers will pay only because they invested their whole night standing in line, ESPECIALLY if you are a Man. The doormen , bouncers, and staff are extremely rude. DON'T GO TO CLARENDON BALLROOM AT ALL COSTS! Get a passport and party abroad. I miss Rio de Janiro! read more

Lol so every other club In clarendon allows void I.Ds but ballroom I have to pay 20? No its never been like that I have gotten to every place with a voided I.d cause I lost mine or whatever happened to it so no I'm pissed read more

Tall blonde bartender was so rude. I was asking about a melon seltzer my friend was drinking and couldn't remember the brand of the drink so I tried to explain it to her and she swore at me and said they had "fucking" high noon or another brand of seltzer and she "didn't know what the fuck I was talking about" I went to another bartender and immediately they were able to find the melon seltzer. Additionally she dropped the pay parcel down to a friend, friend accidentally clicked back, and she cussed the friend out for "not wanting to pay" when the friend was entirely intending on paying and made a genuine mistake. This bartender is entirely rude. I wish I caught her name to include it. read more

This place is a hot mess. There is just no other way to describe it. Imagine, a ballroom full folks that have just celebrated their 21st birthday - a sprawling ballroom that is way too large to feel like a really good party. I'm not sure if there is usually a cover, but I know we didn't pay one. It's definitely not worth the money unless you are here for a special event. I really felt like I was at a high school dance where everyone forgot to take their ritalin.We only lasted about 20 minutes here before realizing it was just intolerable. The drinks were not particularly cheap and the DJ wasn't particularly good. The only redeeming quality is that this is probably one of the largest venues I have seen in awhile, so I would be open minded about returning for a special event hosted there. Otherwise, you will just feel awkward and will spend your time moving from corner to corner trying to figure out if there is anywhere within that will make your experience less awkward. Unless you're into awkward dirty dancing and barely legals. If so, you've found your calling home! read more

AWESOMELY LOUSY!! They are playing satellite radio on New Year's Eve when I've already paid a $65 cover. read more

Clarendon Ballroom - Bunch of ppl listening to satellite radio on New Year's Eve. EXCITING!!! - Dance Clubs Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

**HIT OR MISS** But more misses than hits than I can count on one hand. I've had some fun nights here, and then I've had a handful of lame nights that ended early as well. PROs: *rooftop bar for the summertime *minimal lines for bathrooms *the music. some days its poppin *the line goes by pretty fast *casual dress code for the lazy weekends and for those days where you're just too exhausted from work and need a drink asap CONs: *annoying $5 cover charge (I rarely carry cash!) *long wait to get a drink at the one bar they have on the main floor *awkward huge space on the dance floor *the music. some days they play the worst music that you can't dance to. talk about buzz kill. All in all, I wouldn't come here unless my best friend was pulling me by my hair to go for a birthday party or something of that sort. read more

This place is A-OK and has served as a good venue for a number different corporate, networking, and non-profit event. The place has an older, slightly run down, feel. This was the first time I have been when heavy curtains were pulled closing off the bar area. The beer and wine was instead available at a central station run by the group (my guess it was a paid staff vs volunteers compromise). We took a table near the entry area and still had a good view of the bands. I thought the sound quality was pretty good. They had both regular and veggie gumbo, we stuck with regular, and thought it was pretty good all things considered. Clarendon Ballroom is a good event venue if you are looking for a place to house an event in Arlington. read more

I came here for the HALLOWEEN Costume Party, and I had a good time. I came early...I think just before 8pm and there was a line beginning to form. There were plenty of people already inside too....although it still felt a tinsy bit awkward, but nothing a quick beer didn't fix. After we got through, almost out of nowhere a TON of people were waiting in line...and they were all paying the $20 cover instead of the $10 we paid for just being a few minutes earlier. This Halloween Party did NOT disappoint. I didn't get to stay for the costume judging which I'm sure was a ton of fun, but there were some really wacked out costumes. The one I can't get out of my mind was the guy dressed like Saddam Hussein. I mean that takes guts. The other funny thing was watching the guys dressed as girls waiting in line for the girls bathroom. ha ha ha. By the time I left the party around 10pm there was barely any walking room...it was seriously packed. Definitely headed to this place again. read more

(Current Clarendon Ballroom pop-up) DO NOT go here unless you want to get ROBBED!! Had my phone stolen out of my purse, same thing happened to 3 other friends on the same night- phones and wallets stolen!! And reading through the reviews it looks like this isn't a rare thing at Ballroom!! Disgusting! I tried to talk to security guards and ask if there was a lost and found- they laughed and said "good luck." I will NEVER be going back here. The staff is rude and security is pointless since people continue to get ROBBED here!! This place deserves to get shut down or new management!! read more

Great place to come if you want to be out or dancing - while avoiding the club scene. You can dress casually or "club-ready", it's all here.

Although this place isn't the most gorgeous... the rooftop is really pretty on warm evenings and I love the lights outside. Great spot to get cheap yummy cocktails. (They have a grapefruit one that is around 5 dollars all night long!!!) Awesome if you want to get your dance on and not blow $10 upwards on a cocktail! read more

Visiting a friend in Fairfax checking out local bars. An Uber driver recommended this rooftop location. While the rooftop has a great atmosphere and is a great size the prices are ridiculous. I asked for a bottle of Coors Light and they advised they only had cans. So I agreed. The check came and it was $5.50... why would a beer that cost $10 or less for a 6 pack bottle cost $5.50 for a single 12oz can? read more

Clarendon Ballroom - Dance Clubs Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Came here for a night out to get drinks with a friend. The roof wasn't super crowded so it was easy to get a seat. We ordered margaritas, but what we got wasn't a margarita. It was more of a pineapple drink with tequila and salt on the rim. The drink itself wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I ordered. I then got the chicken nachos which I had heard really good reviews about, but it wasn't that great and the chips were stale. The whole ambience of the place was great and the music/dj was fantastic. I've come here before and it's a great place to meet people and the staff are super friendly and welcoming. read more

For me, the real draw of Clarendon Ballroom is its relatively convenient location. I live near Vienna metro, just far enough that I'm not going to haul out to D.C. for a late night of clubbing, and then rush to the metro before it closes at 2AM, wait 20 minutes for the metro, and wait 90 seconds at each stop for "scheduling adjustments." Clarendon Ballroom is close enough that I can drive, and far enough out of the city that you can probably find street parking. I also randomly saw a few friends there on Saturday night, so I think I'm more likely to bump into other Virginian friends there because of the convenient location. That said, Clarendon Ballroom doesn't quite have the glamour of a DC club, and the old décor is kind of tired. Doesn't matter - the dance floor was jam packed at midnight, despite the $5 cover and absence of drink specials. read more

First off - had to pay a $10.00 cover to get in. The place is loud. Don't think for a minute that you'll be having conversations with your friends - without yelling in their ear. The main floor has a stage for a band - the band on hand on Saturday night was playing covers of dance songs and some danceable rock n' roll. The bar on the main floor is on the right hand side and runs almost the length of the joint. There is also a second dance area downstairs which had a DJ spinning more traditional hot dance songs. Then there is the rooftop bar area - very crowded - but kind of cool - and a little easier to hear - but not much. It was a fairly humid evening out - and when one walked downstairs to the basement - you could feel that the AC was working pretty well - but when you entered the Men's restroom - it was like walking into a wall of putrid heat and humidity. Feels like they don't have any AC vents directed to the Men's restroom. read more

Welcome to the most mismanaged bar/night club franchise you will ever witness! Here you will get the opportunity to pay $15 for watered down drinks and moody bartenders; and as an added incentive there is a small militia of security guards who will at the very least scold you for making a trip to the restroom, or in some cases kick you out all together for leaving your "designated area." This is a great example of a business that found roots in a global pandemic with no means of expanding back to a normal scenario, and every flaw is demonstrated upon face value after spending any amount of time here. Arguably the biggest waste of money and time in Arlington. If you know ANYWHERE else, go there without hesitation knowing you've avoided the worst. read more

Clarendon Ballroom is a great place to hear great music and meet up with friends. I'm not sure what definition you have of "proposal", but if a contract wasn't signed, they didn't "back out" of anything. Loved all my evenings here- especially when Greengenes played! read more

Imagine a douchey college basement party that you'd have to pay cover for. Sorry, I'm graduated. read more

I think Clarendon Ballroom is great!... Hmm. Wait. No, that's not right. Let me rephrase that. I *would* think Clarendon Ballroom is great!... If I were into my 30s (which I'm not even close to yet) and still single, or if I were to suffer brain trauma and suddenly wake up from a coma enjoying going to hip hop and top-40 dance clubs, or if I had a girlfriend who really wanted to go dance there so I could spend the night fending off all the other guys ready to swoop in on her like an owl on a field mouse. (I don't have a girlfriend at the time of writing, but if I did and she wanted to come here to dance, I'd have to question her taste in music and our relationship's long-term viability, anyway.) Until I'm 30+ or have one of those g/f's, Clarendon Ballroom still at least has a great roof deck bar, is spacious, a dance floor that bumps, and good decor. It's probably the best place to go dancing in Northern Virginia, and probably the only place in Arlington to find a roof deck bar. It's still a lot better than a lot of other places in DC, because the crowd is a bit more mature. Cover was $5 (hey, not bad!), and my off-brand dirty martini was about $9 and served in a clear plastic Dixie cup. I wouldn't trust us with glass, either. read more

I can't ever say that I've ever conscientiously thought to myself, "boy I'm really feeling the Clarendon Ballroom tonight." When I lived in Arlington, the place was always an afterthought - a place where I'd unfortunately get dragged into going to with a group of "bros" for reasons that were beyond my comprehension. I've never really understood the advantage of a group of young guys yearning to go to one of the DC area's most notorious sausage-fests. The second we arrive at the Ballroom, there is almost always an uproar - from the unexpected cover to the awkward coat checking process. And if you like awkwardly standing around shoulder-to-shoulder, screaming into other peoples' ears while getting colorful drinks spilled on you, then look nowhere else. The only reason you'd ever want to come here is for a happy hour on the roof top which isn't all that bad. Otherwise, I'd gladly like to keep this joint as an afterthought. read more

Once on my way to Liberty Tavern (which is next door to Clarendon Ballroom), I walked by Clarendon Ballroom and saw a guy in his early twenties wearing a white tux who had been handcuffed with his hands behind his back by the cops and was passed out lying on his side on the concrete right next to the door of Clarendon Ballroom with vomit all over the front of his shirt and jacket, and a huge pile of vomit on the sidewalk (I'm talking huge like the vomit scene from Team America). Meanwhile the cops were milling about and laughing, the usual yuppie Clarendon crowd was loitering around him while snickering and taking cell phone pictures, and his friends were nowhere to be found. To me, that pretty much sums up the scene at Clarendon Ballroom and the clientele it attracts. Just awful. The only reason it gets two stars is because on a nice day or night the upstairs patio bar can actually be a lot of fun. But otherwise, why would you wait in line to pay a $10 cover charge to get into a crappy, crowded bar with the type of people who end up handcuffed on the sidewalk dressed in vomit or the type of people who take cell phone pictures of the vomit guy? read more

Im not sure why this place always have a hand full of people everytime I visit. Probably its because of the $5 cover charge or its not being promoted well. The music isnt great but its not the worst. I honestly think the Dj here is better than the ones at Don tito, but Don Tito always packed. And the crowd is super dry. People stand around chit chatting instead of actually dancing. Staff: The bartenders and securites are extremely sweet. However the middle age Hispanic guy collect the cover charge have the most unwelcoming attitude ever. Location: The location is great being that is metro accessible. There are plenty of public park in the area, only $6 from 6pm - 2am. However if you go over the 2am its $12. If you live in Arlington uber is pretty cheap to get there. read more

This place gets worse every time I come. The reason that I do actually come to this shithole, is because the drinks are cheap, you don't have to dress up like you're going to DC, and the musics good. It's also pretty big, so you are not squeezing through people. I must just be getting old, since the past two times here, I do nothing but hate on the annoying/drunk/slutty kids here. Come on, really? Did I act like this.. ever? The rooftop however, is awesome. On a breezy night, its so chill. My girlfriend and I noted, while eyeing the tacky outfits and mismatched colors... That if DC clubs had a reject list.. this is where they congregated. Note* I'm not a superficial bitch.. honest.. just making observations of my surroundings. read more

Come to the Clarendon Ballroom if you were ever curious about what everyone from your junior high school dance looks like all growed up and able to drink. Its still held in the junior high gym so you shouldn't have a problem finding your way around. Why is there always a line outside? No idea. Why is charging a cover to come here okay? No idea. What is the draw to this place? No idea. You see where this is going ... You can put a velvet rope outside a Port-a-John, but you're not convincing anyone of a red carpet event. It is still just a portable toilet. read more

The guests here need to be served sippy cups until they learn to stop spilling their drinks. I almost fell out of my shoes as they stuck to the ground that was completely covered in spilled drinks. When my friend who lives in DC said to meet her here my first thought was "What the?!" At least now she knows... read more

WTF what happend to this place? so many brown flip flops and girls with dresses 2 sizes too small? read more

When this place first opened my friends and I could not get enough of it (especially when the weather was nice). I loved the outside bar and the crowd was all my age. Either I am getting old or I am getting old, but this place has lost some of its appeal. Upside: Often features good bands, the upper deck, large enough ladies room, the crowd (not to date, just to watch), place to dance. Downside: Lines around the corner to get in, cover charge, crowd can skew young, dirty ladies room, the food (eat before you go). If you are over 30 - there are better options down the street a bit. read more

First of all, let me say that I was brought here by a friend. Secondly, sometimes a girl just wants to dance and this desire can cloud her judgment. On to the review. I may be only 24, but Clarendon Ballroom makes me feel like a crabby old hag. I was never really a club-goer and this reminded me why I get so irritated in clubs. The ballroom itself is a good venue as far as size and the dance floor, but it was filled with an army of Ed Hardy wearing, spiky-haired, bedazzled Jon Gosselins all ready to go in for the kill. Pushing and elbowing greasy guys is not my idea of a fun night, thought it's useful for getting out some anger. The music was kind of all over the place. The DJ played the usual mainstream pop and hip-hop (mostly pop), then a little reggaeton and even some old school R&B. I was pleasantly surprised by those last two but they were so brief I missed a lot of it while I was on the roof. Oh, and $5 for a Corona just seemed wrong to me. Who do you think you are Clarendon Ballroom? None of the above applies to the rooftop, which is actually pretty nice. The clouds of cigarette smoke bother me, but if I can find an unpolluted corner I could stay up there all night. Two stars instead of one because of the rooftop and the space itself. read more

Although it's surprisingly hard to get a drink, somehow everyone is drunk, getting in your way, looking for the hook ups, and the floors are ridiculously sticky. Enough said. read more

Clarendon Ballroom is what it is. The bouncers will be overly machismo douche bags hopped up on steroids. The floors will be sticky. It will be crowded, and you will get bumped a million times, probably spilling your drink on the poor person packed in next to you. There will be a cover. Probably $10. The Top 40 (circa 2000- 2006) DJ or relatively decent cover band equivalent will be playing in the background. The bar will be so flooded with people, that the overworked bartenders will take a while to get around to your order. (Tip them well anyway- that;s one bar I would not want to be behind) Many of the girls will be wearing one article of clothing too little. Many of the guys will be wearing half a bottle of cologne too much. If you get there past 10:30, there will be a line. If it is above 65 degrees outside, there will be another line in the bar to get to the rooftop bar. You may be there 15 minutes. You may be there an hour. If the downstairs dance floor is open, it will be lighted by black light and filled with the pulsating, iridescent silhouettes of sweaty people dancing poorly in a confined space. Hence, it will smell a little funky. If you are a female, you will find a rare bathroom that IF it has a line, you won't be standing in it long. If you are a male, you will spend plenty of time waiting in the "lounge" area outside of those bathrooms for your girlfriend/sister/friend/conquest because along with those ample toilets, they also included ample mirrors. If you are a female, single and look even halfway interested in any of the guys in the establishment, you will not be buying your own drinks that night. If you find yourself paying- you just didn't stay in one spot long enough. If you are male, there will be plenty of drunk and scantily clad ladies scattered around the premises. I can make no guarantee to the effectiveness of previously mentioned free drinks, but you've got a pretty good chance of finding someone ready and willing. (Or 2 steps away from puking, if that's your thing). Clarendon Ballroom contains no surprises whatsoever. You can walk in any Friday or Saturday night of the year and know 100% what you will get. There is a certain level of comfort in the familiar, no matter how reminiscent of that frat party you attended the first night your freshman year it is. No standards, and if you can manage to lose yours for the night, you won't leave alone. read more

I went here for a friend's birthday because we heard the rooftop was amazing and we were seriously disappointed. This place was tool central with drunken guys groping and falling all over the place. The floor downstairs was sticky and covered in spilled drinks and upstairs was devoid of any proper air conditioning or fans for the season. The dance floor was so packed people kept shoving their elbows into us as we were dancing and pushing through our group of friends spilling drinks everywhere. This place is a mess and I would not go back there considering there are other much more appealing spots to hangout, dance, and get a drink (not spilled on you) in the Clarendon area. read more

Clarendon Ballroom is about as close as you can come to being inside Snookie's (from MTV's Jersy Shore!) vagina without ending up with a day-glo orange penis. And judging by the women who frequent this joint, you might end up with a day-glo orange penis anyway. The ambience can be described succinctly as "hot mist." The dance floor reeks of shoe polish, lube, and Brut. If you are a male, the bartenders are surly and uncooperative. If you are female, expect to be groped. I award this place two stars because I once threw up off the roof deck, which more than justified the cover charge and overpriced domestic beers. read more