Best dance club/night

At this year's Club Show Awards in Las Vegas, Boston's very own Avalon received the award for best superclub in America. Eat that, New York City! Not as hot as you thought you were, eh, Miami? It's no surprise that Phoenix readers likewise select this techno fortress as their favorite place to dance. Avalon's Lansdowne Street location originally housed the carriages, horses, and delivery trucks for the Boston Globe. Now the only thing the place delivers is a world-class dance party.

Across the river, ManRay challenges Boston's reputation as stuffy, prudish, and predictable. If you prefer latex and leather over a ball cap and fleece, PVC and vinyl over capris and Kate Spade, then this Central Square club is your place, billing itself as home to Boston's alternative and underground scenes. On Wednesdays, "Crypt" with DJ Chris Ewen and Mothra is Boston's longest-running weekly goth event. Friday nights have rotating themes. "Transmission" takes place Saturday, with techno pop, electroclash, punk, and new wave. The dress code encourages creative attire. Expect to see lots of eyeliner and leather, corsets, thigh-high boots, whips and chains, and handcuffs. We don't think there's any such thing as a denim fetish, so when in doubt, wear black.

Avalon, 15 Lansdowne Street, Boston, (617) 262-2424; ManRay, 21 Brookline Street, Cambridge, (617) 864-0400.