Optimo and Melting Pot present the Waverley Riverboat Shuffle

Generally speaking, there are two types of steamer. One, you'll find in most chain pubs in Scotland come 10pm on a Saturday night and is best avoided. The second plays a pivotal role in one of the most eagerly anticipated nights in the summer clubbing calendar.

Optimo's JD Twitch and JG Wilkes are joining forces with Melting Pot's resident Simon Cordier and writer, recording artist and DJ Bill Brewster to bring the enthusiastic first mates of Scotland the Waverley River Boat Shuffle, taking two of Scotland's best nights and launching them – quite literally – onto the open water.

"Following on from the success of previous Barn Dance events, we felt that it was time to shake things up for 2009, rethink the possibilities and come up with something fresh," said the Optimo duo. When the opportunity presented itself for the club to be the first in history to make use of the iconic Waverley steamer for a party, they naturally jumped at the chance.

The last seagoing paddle steamer in the world, the Waverley retains a legacy of thousands of trips "doon the watter" to Dunoon and Rothesay for Scottish holiday-makers. The help of generous lottery funding has returned The Waverley to 1950s glory, allowing the ship to take her rightful place in social history – and now, a place in the social lives of hundreds of dancefloor enthusiasts.

Passengers are urged to book their tickets quickly (20 per cent sold out on their release day in June). The boat launches from Glasgow Science Centre at 8pm on 24 July, with passengers instructed to arrive sharp at 7.45pm. Following three hours of what is the only genuine opportunity to claim the dancefloor is swaying underneath you, revellers will be dropped off at a warehouse party in a secret location to see the night out.

At £25 in advance for a night guaranteed to get you rocking the boat, it seems the Optimo and Melting Pot boys have pulled out a winner on the open waters. We recommend you find your sea legs and go along for the ride.

See our Clubs section for further details.