No Lights No Lycra LA | We dim the lights, you dance.

EVERY THURSDAY // 6:15PM-7:15PM // $5 VENMO AT THE DOOR // HEARTBEAT HOUSE

Have you ever wished for an opportunity to dance, minus the unavoidable eye contact, minus the awkward-dance-circles, minus skin-tight-spandex, minus the uninvited grinding, minus the pretentious playlists, minus the alcohol, minus the lights?

We dim the lights, curate an eclectic playlist (a little bit of everything, with a weakness for d-floor classics), and turn up the volume. It's your opportunity to dance no matter your age, body shape or ability. It's your opportunity to dance like no one is watching, because no one is.

No drugs, No Alcohol, No Teacher, No Steps, No Instructions, No Awkward Dance Circles

// GOOD TO KNOW //

1. Wear comfortable clothing to move and sweat in. Contrary to popular belief, lycra (spandex) is totally acceptable, as is sweatpants. You can wear comfy indoor shoes or joggers if you like, buy many people dance barefoot.

2. You're welcome to bring people or meet people there that you know – but dancers always find a spot in the room to dance on their own. It's about being with yourself, and the music, in the company of others, and not about dancing or interacting with other people.

3. We highly encourage bringing a water bottle!

// FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS //

WHAT IS NO LIGHTS NO LYCRA?

NLNL is a lights-off chance to dance in the dark for the pure joy of dancing. We turn the lights off and the music on for one hour so that you can move to the beat without the judgement of others (or yourself!)

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC IS IT?

We aim for a little bit of everything. From swing, to dance, to world, to pop, to folk, to rock, to hip hop, to soul, to super cheesy top 40. We like dance floor classics, and we like weird things we’ve never heard before. You’ll hate some of it, but you’ll love a lot of it. And you can always sit out for a song or bop on the spot if anything doesn’t take your fancy - it’s not like any one will see you!

HOW DARK IS IT?

It’s light enough so that you can see the silhouettes of people around you, but dark enough so that you can’t make out their features. We aim for a sweet spot between creating a fool proof judgement free space, and safety! When you first walk in, it might feel pitch black, but if you wait a few minutes, you’ll find your eyes will adjust and you can find a spot in the room to groove without worry.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE CREEPY. IS IT CREEPY?

Nope. NLNL is a drug, alcohol and douche-bag free zone. While it is dark, people dance independently and there isn’t any direct physical interaction between people except the occasional hug or high five between those who might know each other.

DO PEOPLE GO ON THEIR OWN?

It’s about half / half. Regardless, most every one finds room on the dance floor to dance independently. Attending alone is totally normal, welcome and encouraged! (It’s easier to let go when you’re not worried about some one else having a good time too)

WHATS WITH NO LYCRA?

When NLNL started in 2009, it was born out of the desire of two rebellious Australian dance students to quit critiquing themselves in the mirror and start dancing for the joy of dancing again. So off came the skin-tight spandex and off went the lights. While the ‘No Lights’ is a given, wearing lycra/spandex is actually totally okay.

SO WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Whatever makes you feel comfortable to dance in - sweat pants, bike shorts, your office attire, or a one-piece full-sequined leotard. The only rule is that you do need to wear clothes. Most people wear a t-shirt and shorts/leggings/sweatpants. We’re more excited about glamorous moves than glamorous outfits.

DO PEOPLE TALK?

Here and there. But not really - the music is loud and people are there to dance, so the most verbal activity that happens is the whooping and cheering between song transitions.

WHY WOULD I GO IF I’M NOT A SHY DANCER?

Because the darkness creates a certain kind of magic that forces you to forget about what you or the people around you look like, so that your brain can shut off and your body can move with the beat. Stay for a session and we guarantee by the end you’ll be in a dancing zone that you’ve never been before - or your money back!

WHO GOES TO THIS THING?

We like to think a bit of everyone. Sure, the bell curve probably straddles 30-somethings, but there’s generally a good mix of ages, genders, bodies, backgrounds, and dance styles We’ve had a three year olds and 60 year olds, and everything in between. The beauty of the dark is that it doesn’t really matter. If you want to be there, then you belong!(Sadly, after much searching, the space we use is not wheelchair accessible. If you know of anything suitable, please do let us know!)

WHAT IF I HATE IT?

You won’t. But if it turns out that it’s not your thing, no worries at all, you’re welcome to leave at any point and no one will notice anyway!

WHAT IF I LOVE IT?

Then you can come every week, for the rest of your life