[athroway]

People don't dance when they're sober, period. Even in cultures where alcohol isn't traditonally consumed, either another substance is used or very energic and rhythmic music is performed in order to induce trance-like states. People don't magically start moving when there isn't anything to entice them (drinks, or money for professional dancers).

[qntty]

You obviously haven't been out with very extroverted people before. People can be very suggestible, I think it's probably possible to create a space where people dance without alcohol or anything else.

[athroway]

Yeah, they're called nightclubs with outrageous prices for drinks, or juice bars. Been to a few myself. But somehow I doubt your idea of "a space where people dance without alcohol" involves loud rave-type music. Maybe you could clarify

[qntty]

Loud 'party' music? Yes. Rave music? Not necessarily.

[athroway]

Alright, I'm intrigued. What use case isn't filled by most nightclubs?

-Bouncers often compulsively search you in order to make sure you don't bring extra alcohol inside

-Prices are at a ridiculous premium, typically to profit from the artificial scarcity but also in order to discourage and punish drunken behavior

-Loud party music galore

What exactly is missing?

[slenk]

"but also in order to discourage and punish drunken behavior"

No club is trying to discourage patrons to have drinks.

Also, some people like conversation. You can't have that at a nightclub

[athroway]

Depends where you live. Many clubs display prohibitive/punitive fares on purpose, by the owners' own admission - not everyone is a rational market agent.

In many clubs there are also areas (usually smoking ones, but also backrooms, lounge areas, and so on) where the sound is muted and conversations (and other things) easily take place.