If this is for a big dance floor, then wiring (how many, how long) might be the deciding factor.
One TPIC6B595 per 7-segment, three on a piece of veroboard, could be cheaper and easier than a matrix.
TPIC6B595 chips are $0.50 on ebay.
You might have to use a lower clock speed and/or buffers for 27 chips and if wiring is long.
Leo..