SO you think you can dance? Think again.

There are only 181 bars and restaurants in the five boroughs

currently licensed for legal booty shaking thanks to the city’s Prohibition-era cabaret law, which requires any establishment to obtain a license before allowing three or more people to move their feet to the beat.

And it’s not easy to get one – the number of licenses doled out by the city has dramatically decreased over the years.

Footloose New Yorkers have struck back with protests, parades and even a lawsuit: Last year a state appeals court upheld the cabaret law after a group of dancers sued the city on the grounds that the law violated their right to free expression. But despite that setback, the Bloomberg administration recently signaled it would revisit the law and possibly even lift the ban.

“One of the biggest reasons people come to the city is to have a good time and dance, and to make that illegal is absurd,” says DJ Rekha, whose popular “Basement Bhangra” party is a longtime fixture of local night life.

“Ultimately it comes down to basic rights and that people should be able to dance where they want to.”

These are the 10 spots we can’t wait to see get their licenses – you’ll be

surprised some of them don’t have one already.

Bembe

81 S. Sixth St., Williamsburg; (718) 387-5389

This Brooklyn boite heaves with live percussion, global beats and gyrating bodies. One nation under a groove, indeed.

APT

419 W. 13th St.; (212) 414-4245

For years, this Meatpacking District lounge has been home to some of the city’s best DJs, and while the downstairs setup isn’t exactly conducive to busting a move, it would at least be nice to have the option.

Beatrice Inn

285 W. 12th St.; (212) 243-4626

If Lindsay wants to get down, she’s gonna have to hotfoot it to the Beatrice’s new Atlantic City outpost. And here we thought dancing was supposed to be a wholesome outlet for 12 Steppers!

Don Hill’s

511 Greenwich St.; (212) 219-2850

When it isn’t showcasing earsplitting rock bands, this grungy SoHo club plays host to an array of fashionable downtown parties. Who knew they didn’t have a cabaret license?

The Frying Pan

26th Street at West Side Highway; (212) 989-6363

All this rusty boat – now anchored at Pier 66 – needs to make it Manhattan’s best al fresco party spot is legal dancing on weekend nights.

K&M

225 N. Eighth St.; Williamsburg; (718) 388-3088

Last Saturday a sweaty Hasid got busy to Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” amidst a sea of sloppy-drunk hipsters, proving if there’s a place where we can all get along, it’s the dance floor of a former pierogi shop turned beer bar.

S.O.B.’s

204 Varick St.; (212) 243-4940

Apparently you’re supposed to just

stand around while listening to reggae, salsa and samba at this veteran Afro-Latino club.

Sullivan Room

218 Sullivan St.; (212) 252-2151

With its pumping sound system and bunker-like digs, this Village lounge is missing just one key ingredient.

Water Taxi Beach

Hunters Point, Second Street and Borden Avenue, Long Island City; watertaxibeach.com

Why not go ahead and ban volleyball at this beachside bar, too? It also involves groups of people moving around.

The Yard

388-400 Carroll St.; Gowanus; theyard.ws

All we’re saying is we saw a bunch of 4-year-olds engaged in some highly suspicious activity at a recent installment of this outdoor club’s Sunday afternoon party.