359 Best Bars in California, USA

Housed in the former music shop of John C. Tupper and Lawrence Reed, this cocktail haven presents a symphony of carefully crafted libations, which are mixed with live music performed by local musicians. The historic 1925 building features a balcony bar, cozy nooks, antique fixtures, a pool table, and romantic fireplaces.

As one of the few true late-night supper clubs in San Diego, Turf is often bustling until last call every night of the week. The somewhat gritty, old-timey interior harkens back to the 1950s, but the only cloud of smoke hovering around the dim lights and vinyl booths comes from the communal grill rather than Marlboros. Grill your own steak, order a martini, and enjoy a San Diego institution.

The motorcycles and vintage photographs at this downtown watering hole pay homage to nearby 11-turn Laguna Seca Raceway. The large-screen TVs, heated outdoor patio, happy-hour specials, and live entertainment keep the place jumpin' into the wee hours.

Throw darts, shoot pool, or play shuffleboard at this British pub (its name refers to London's subway system), or watch a game on one of the many monitors. The adjacent Fox and Farrow gastropub is run by one of the co-owners, but the in-house pub menu is surprisingly extensive.

This cheery, modern industrial–designed spot is truly wonderful and refreshingly casual. The excellent list of wines by the glass is always impressive. Nicely composed small plates, cheese, and house-made charcuterie are worthy companions to all the Chardonnay and Zinfandel.

Cowboys gather for line dancing and two-stepping on the wooden dance floor—but be forewarned, yee-hawers, it can get pretty wild on Western nights on the first Saturday of each month. There are also Latin, hip-hop, and drag revues but the real allure is in the creative drinks ("Gone Fishing"—served in a fishbowl, for example) and the breezy patio where love (or something like it) is usually in the air.

Two native Northern Californians are behind this microbrewery that makes beers, ales, and a dessert stout. Order brews and barbecue at the counter and choose seating indoors or out front in the spacious beer garden–like setting.

It’s hard to decide whether the best thing about Verdugo Bar—which is a short distance away from Atwater Village in Glassell Park—is its selection of 20 craft beers on tap, its menu of refreshing and affordable cocktails, or the large beer garden furnished with picnic tables. Be warned: this place can get crowded, but it's the place to be on a hot summer day. 

Art-deco-influenced floor-to-ceiling windows frame superb views on the 39th floor of the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. You won't feel out of place here just getting a drink or two rather than dinner, but the small bites are usually delicious. It can get crowded at happy hour on weekdays and all night on weekends.

A pianist-singer performs four hours of old-time music at the Wawona Hotel; call for a schedule of performances.

This 21-plus live music rock club on the edge of the Sunset Strip has been around for more than 30 years; legends like Tom Petty and Lenny Kravitz have performed on the stage. Today the venue books rising alt-rock acts and cover bands.

A former movie palace is now one of the city's largest rock venues, with folding chairs or standing space (depending on the event) downstairs and theater seating upstairs. The historic venue has booked everyone from Prince and the Grateful Dead to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

It isn't really on the waterfront, but San Diego's oldest bar was once the favorite hangout for Italian fishermen. Most of the collars are now white, and patrons enjoy an excellent selection of beers, along with their famous Charlie's chili, burgers, fish-and-chips, and other great-tasting grub, including fish tacos and even breakfast until 2 pm daily. By midday, there's almost always a crowd.

Lines form outside early to enter this hard-core metal and rock venue, where Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Van Halen, the Doors (they were the house band for a short stint), and Frank Zappa have all played. On the Strip for more than five decades, the club books both underground acts and huge names in rock.

The effusive subtropical decor of this Tiki bar flirts with excess, but the artistry of the murals, carvings, and furnishings elicits respect. Sensibly updated fruity drinks are poured along with more straightforward cocktails and artisanal beers and wines. Hawaii-inflected dishes pair well with the libations, and a deck with Napa River views enhances the overall appeal.

Inspired by 18th-century carousel design and an homage to owner Matt Spencer's grandmother Wilma, Wilma's Carousel Bar is an actual, operational rotating bar that makes a full 360-degree turn every 10 minutes or so, which along with its vibrant decorative motif, gives it the feel of an adult indoor amusement park. The spectacle itself is the major attraction, but the menu is no slouch either, offering new interpretations of classic cocktails as well as French-Creole inspired fare like shrimp and grits or fresh beignets dipped in chocolate. Order a glass of bubbly or a Sazerac cocktail and hop on for a few spins. (Reservations to ride strongly encouraged.)

Palo Alto’s favorite gathering spot for wines from around the world is this cozy, quirky cottage that looks as if it was lifted out of the Cotswolds. Seating arrangements include several comfortable couches that are popular with date nights. The staff is very knowledgeable about the wines and happy to offer recommendations since the extensive menu can be wonderfully intimidating.

Don’t let the forest fairy-tale vibe—one that'll make you think that a woodsman fell in love with a tree nymph and then went on to open a bar—or the baffling strip mall location fool you. When the occasion calls for it, this little dive bar knows how to throw a party and show you a good time with the simple concoction of jukebox music, DJ spins, daily happy hour until 10 pm, and signature drinks.

A fun downtown hangout with a party vibe, Woody's has built a loyal following for its Bavarian soft pretzels (served with beer cheese), special-recipe tater tots, and range of beers from fruited wheat ales to an unfiltered dry-hopped IPA and the Pray for Powder porter. Sandwiches, worthy burgers, pizza, and fish-and-chips are also on the menu.

Modeled after a mansion in Kyoto, this Japanese place with a hillside perch has spectacular koi ponds and gardens, as well as sweeping views of Hollywood's twinkling lights. Additional lures here include the tasty, if pricey, food and delicious drinks but the views, especially at sunset, are Yamashiro's draws.  The mandatory valet parking costs $20.

Ye Rustic Inn has the vibes of a dingy, non-fussy dive bar, but it’s the wings that turns newcomers into regulars. Available dry or drenched in hot sauce, a plate of 12 (extra crispy recommended!) is perfect for two hungry travelers who want some nosh to go with the baseball or football games that the bar shows on their large TV. Ye Rustic Inn is also beloved for its early opening hours and being one of the only restaurants and bars around to open on major holidays; they even serve turkey and ham dinners on Thanksgiving. 

John Lee Hooker's old haunt has been an old-school blues haven for years, attracting top-notch acts from all around the country. Luck out with legendary masters like James "Super Chikan" Johnson, or discover new blues and funk artists.

If you want a water view with your brew, head to this spot east of Jack London Square and enjoy a bretzel and obatzda (a soft German pretzel with Bavarian cheese dip), a selection of local wurst, or some Wiener schnitzel with your German or Belgian beer.

The late Buck Owens is Bakersfield's local boy made good, and this venue is a combination nightclub, restaurant, souvenir store, and country music memorabilia showcase. Country-and-western entertainers perform here, as Owens himself did countless times. A dance floor beckons patrons who can still twirl after sampling the menu of steaks, burgers, nachos, and gooey desserts.

Originally called the Box for its giant cube-shape interior, this off-the-beaten-path music venue showcases rock, heavy metal, folk, soul, reggae, hip-hop, and even comedy acts. There's a big dance floor.

Outfitted in industrial-chic, this brewhouse has a little something for everyone, except maybe hungry vegetarians. Its huge on-site brewing system can produce up to 30 barrels of beer and is equally matched by Magnolia's unique cocktail menu, featuring off-the-wall ingredients like beef bouillon. The love affair with meat doesn't stop there, as they even craft their own sausages.

Hipsters hold court at Telegraph (aka Beeryland), where giant murals and bike wheel rims decorate the largely cement and mostly graffitied outdoor beer garden. Expect great burgers and homemade sausages paired with alcoholic slushies and beers that change daily.

This place next to a jointly owned sake shop has a small but very good sushi menu, as well as a list of more than 100 sakes. The staffers know their stuff—including how to make killer sake-tinis.

A friendly pool game is always going on at this mellow, slightly out-of-the-way hangout, where all are welcome. Outside is a large deck and one of San Francisco's best bar gardens, where acoustic-guitar sing-alongs are not uncommon. Rumor has it that Janis Joplin was a regular here. Ask the bartender for the scoop.