2629 Best Bars in USA

On tap at this local craft brewery, set in a converted industrial space, is a spate of excellent in-house creations (the Bimini Twist IPA is a favorite). There's live music some nights, as well as a few game options. The brewery is also close enough to Central Avenue to walk (or take a short trolley ride) to or from Tropicana Field and Grand Central District restaurants.

This 21-and-older complex features three clubs, including a 6K DJ video system in the main nightclub, Envy. There's also Bourbon Cowboy, with live bands, and Club Rewind, which features songs from the '80s, '90s, and '00s.

A local favorite, 3rd & Lindsley hosts musical acts from around town and around the world. This no-frills venue has ample room for dancing, and also has a full lunch and dinner menu in addition to a full bar. For some of the best bets for musical events in town, 3rd & Lindsley is a must.

This famed indie-rock club is known for helping to launch the careers of R.E.M., the B-52s, and other local bands that grew out of the college scene. Nirvana, the Flaming Lips, and Sonic Youth all played here back in the day. Today, you'll find a mix of local and national acts gracing the stage—from country to punk and pop.

Next door to the rowdy Diag Bar & Grill you'll find the serene 404 Wine Bar, a romantic spot filled with cozy nooks. The librarylike back room has ornate chandeliers, shelves lined with books, and dramatic oxblood walls. Grab a spot on the patio or near one of two fireplaces and enjoy a glass, flight, or bottle of wine accompanied by a cheese plate.

Atop the old-school bar Sassafras, the speakeasy-style 48 Record Bar is all about vinyl and vibes. This cozy lounge was built for sound and the DJ spins music from the bar's extensive collection of vintage LPs. Sip a few handcrafted cocktails (with alcohol-free options available) while enjoying the fabulous music.  A long, narrow flight of stairs is the only way to reach this bar. 

The rustic interior here is all stone, wood, and antlers, but the real attraction is the sun-soaked two-story rooftop deck where, on clear days, you can see Denali hovering over the northern horizon. The menu of pizzas and hearty bar bites emphasizes all things Alaska, including giant burgers appropriately named for noteworthy peaks. Beers are brewed on-site using local ingredients like Sitka spruce tips and Talkeetna birch syrup. The restaurant also hosts a range of events in its on-site theater, including improv comedy and trivia nights.

This local hangout tries to be seen as a dive bar, but it's much too nice and too new to be called one. The menu features bar bites, hearty entrées, and a burger of the week, all made from scratch in the kitchen, while the bar serves craft beers on draft and craft cocktails. To find the 4th Wall from Tremont Street, look for the small, brick building with a gable roof squeezed among much taller buildings.

A cavelike bar that opens up into a live music venue with great sound and a patio, 529 hosts local and national emerging indie bands.

Even in a neighborhood dotted with Irish pubs, the two-story 5th&Mad stands out as a fine drinking establishment with a hearty menu. Head here to relax at its big circular bar and to mingle with a spirited after-work crowd who love the extended happy hours (until 8 pm Monday–Wednesday and 7 pm Thursday–Saturday).

Home to sister companies Yee-Haw Beer and Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, 6th & Peabody is your one-stop shop for beer and spirits tastings, live musical entertainment, outdoor yard games, and watching the big game. The front portion of the entertainment complex is dedicated to a tasting room and gift shop where guests can sample a flight of Ole Smoky's flavored 'shines. The building opens up into an indoor/outdoor space with massive television screens showing sports, a large stage where local acts perform throughout the week, and dining options from White Duck Taco Shop and Daddy's Dogs. They actually distill some of moonshine on-site, so smoking is definitely prohibited!

For a classy yet quirky evening out, try this wine bar–café. Outdoor patio seating (on the street and back patio), North Carolina wines, local brews, and frequent DJ dance parties make this a fun gathering place in the heart of the Arts District.

Stop by either the original downtown taproom or the newer space on the Coos Bay waterfront to sample some of the best craft beers on the South Coast. The waterfront locale, right by Coos History Museum, has nice views of the bay and tasty seafood-focused comfort fare, but the downtown locale charms visitors with a fireplace on the patio and plenty of good food as well. 

Northern Pinellas County is a hotbed for craft brewing. This small tasting room features this brewery's offerings, largely Belgian-style, spirit barrel-aged sour beer as well as IPAs, and a handful of others. It's near downtown Dunedin's shopping, dining, and nightlife and isn't too far from the Pinellas Trail.

The faux candlelight, modern chandeliers, and lounge-y vibe lure an upper-crust crowd who knock back favorites from the local craft beer and sparkling cocktail menus. Try the Bootwarmer, a mix of local spiced whiskey, lemon juice, and honey. The appetizers are just as delicious—consider the shucked oysters with a Colorado hot sauce.

A scene-y crowd mixes and mingles at this dimly lighted Prohibition Era–inspired cocktail bar with plush arm chairs and sofas and Oriental rugs, and an impressive list of both innovative and classic cocktails, plus globally inspired small plates.

The 8x10 Club is one of the city's premier spots for live music, from rock and reggae, to jazz, blues, and soul. The spring-loaded dance floor bounces under large crowds, and there is barely a bad place to stand inside.

Live jazz comes to the 40-seat 9 Maple Ave every Friday and Saturday evening. The centerpiece of the hand-built mahogany bar is a porcelain tap head thrown by potter Regis Brodie. The club claims to offer the largest selection of single-malt Scotches in New York State.

Attached to the AKA hotel and its restaurant, a.kitchen, a.bar boasts one of the most enviable views in the city, looking right out onto Rittenhouse Square. The food and drink, with its emphases on fresh seafood and cutting-edge cocktails, will encourage return visits.

The Aleworks always seems to be filled with students and visitors taste-driving the microbrews and other selections from the full bar. Seats on the second-story balcony provide a great view of the marina and bay across the street. It's a little like being on Bourbon Street—but clean.

Artsy, hip East Siders hang and drink martinis and wine at this minimalist, bubble-lamped bar along a buzzy stretch of Belmont Street.

The popular restaurant's nearly two dozen specialty cocktails make a trip just to the bar worthwhile. The classic but modern French cuisine, California and French wines, and vintage bistro decor are terrific, too, so pair a cocktail with a few bites before or after a show.

One of the city's top cocktail bars, ABV offers elevated small plates (the burger has a devoted following) late into the night to pair with their excellent cocktail menu, which includes such favorites as a Mumbai Mule with saffron vodka. A knowledgeable and friendly staff serves a diverse energetic crowd in a smart modern setting.

This corner bar has been a cozy outpost for Greenpointers during much of the riverfront's transformation from industrial to industrial chic. With a wood-burning stove for warmth in the winter, and outdoor space to drink and dine in the summer, Achilles Heel is known for simple yet creative cocktails, and a small, eclectic, gourmet menu. Often crowded on weekends, get there on the early end to snag seats, or reserve a table in advance.

The Admiral, which is just steps from Dupont Circle, has one of the largest outdoor spaces in D.C., namely a 2,000-plus-square-foot patio. Although it serves pub food such as burgers, chicken wings, and quesadillas, it's an upgrade from the typical sports bar thanks to rich wood paneling and hip, Navy-themed, neon art. On the weekends, it serves as a late-night hangout with drinks and food served until last call.

Named for its proximity to the airport, this over-21 watering hole draws in whiskey lovers for its unbeatable selection of more than 1,000 bottles. Sip on craft beer or cocktail under the Christmas light-laden ceiling, or head to the arcade room for billiards, pinball, and more. Additional seating is available in the somewhat hidden back patio as well.  Tuesdays are half-off games in the arcade, but free popcorn is available all day, every day.

On a clear, starry night it's nice to retreat from the crowded street-level drinking establishments to this spot atop The Social music club. Surrounded by some of Orlando's tallest buildings, it exudes hip, trendy vibes that are just right for those looking to dance to a DJ outdoors. Ladies' nights, theme events, and even yoga classes are offered.