2629 Best Bars in USA

Sit back with a beer and a steak while you watch the Bear Creek Downs' Pig Races at the Bear Creek Saloon & Steakhouse. Oinkers in numbered jerseys streak around an outdoor oval while patrons bet on their favorites; proceeds fund local scholarships. The races take place summer evenings at 7, Thursday through Sunday.

Believe it or not, Germantown used to be one of Nashville's industrial hubs. You can see what remains of the neighborhood's old factories and warehouses on its eastern outskirts, where Bearded Iris Brewing lies. Housed in one of these old warehouses, Bearded Iris brews a variety of old-world-style beers that appeal to beer snobs and newbies alike and serves brews in a swanky-comfy setting that combines the best of old and new Germantown.

This North Side bar and music club brings in the crowds thanks to a good sound system and a great space for solid rock, alternative-rock, country, and rockabilly acts plus live local comedy during the week. On the Kitchen side, guests can order up salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and desserts. The well-earned popularity of the Belmont location spawned spots downtown on the Riverwalk and a Cantina location at Navy Pier.

The groovy 1960s are the inspiration for the gorgeous setting of this cocktail destination with a busy bar up front and a more relaxed, lounge-style atmosphere in the back. However, the cocktails are straight-up modern excellence, always mixing a superb balance of high-quality spirits and homemade ingredients. The glassware and garnishes are gorgeous.

You know a taproom takes beer seriously when they specify exactly what temperature their drafts are served at. That's the Beer Temple, an inviting space with around 20 ever-changing handles and lots of seating for the requisite beard-and-flannel types. Do pay a visit to the fantastic bottle shop, which precedes the taproom by several years. It specializes in super-limited-release local drops and brews from Belgium and France, and the staff's knowledge of obscure brewers and beer styles is mind-boggling.

Set in an atmospheric vintage brick downtown building with a lively patio out front, this hive of hops enthusiasts stocks perhaps the most exhaustive selection of craft beer in the city, with about two dozen IPAs alone.

One of Red River's hotbeds of music, Beerland serves the punk music scene and brings an eclectic mix of artist to the forefront. Expect a thrashing of sounds and sights most nights of the week, and stay tuned to their lineup for SXSW.

Tucked into a residential spot of North Center between two rail lines is this friendly neighborhood craft brewery. Begyle's beers are often more approachable than other breweries, with blonde ales, pale ales, and kölsches taking center stage alongside IPAs and stouts. 

America's oldest continuously operating pub (founded 1795) is named after its original owner, town crier Jimmy Wilson, whose bell-ringing wooden sign still hangs on the wall. On the edge of the Freedom Trail, this glassed-in flatiron pub serves fried haddock sandwiches, burgers, and New England's favorite entrées, against a background of live music. Bands (and the occasional comedian) play each night downstairs, and DJs spin Top 40 for dancers Thursday through Saturday upstairs; there's karaoke every Tuesday. Expect long lines of twentysomethings on the weekends.

The lofty rooftop perch at historic Hotel La Fonda is open only from mid-spring through mid-fall, but during the warmer months it's a lovely spot to sip cocktails while watching the sunset and surrounding mountains. The views make it very popular so try to get there during the off-hours to snag a table. Year-round, you can also enjoy outstanding margaritas and tasty bar food in lively La Fiesta Lounge, just off the hotel lobby, which also features live music.

A fixture on local papers' "best of" lists, Belly Up has been drawing crowds since it opened in 1974. Its longevity attests to the quality of the eclectic entertainment on its stage. Within converted Quonset huts, critically acclaimed artists play everything from reggae and folk to—well, you name it.

This intimate, live-concert venue has hosted musical acts ranging from country-western legends to '80s rock bands to Jack White for crowds of just over 400.

The grand dame of the trendy West 6th Street District, this fashionable bar and club has a swanky appeal with a lovely courtyard and Hollywood-esque waitstaff. It offers an impressive lineup, from indie rock to electronic dance music, and tends to bring an interesting mix of showcases to Austin during SXSW, partnering with several hot indie record labels.

A long-standing brewery, founded in 1995, BBC (as it is affectionately called by locals) offers around a dozen different types of beers on tap. A park-like outdoor seating area overlooking the Deschutes River makes a fantastic venue for regular live music performances.

The bartenders at this swanky but unfussy cocktail bar on the ground floor of the hip ACME Hotel specialize in improvisation—name a spirit, flavor profile, and type of glassware from the "Dealer's Choice" menu and they'll craft a drink for you on the spot.

This low-key lounge provides an urban oasis behind its tall fence. Surrounded by Downtown towers and parking garages, Bernie's operates out of a little white house with a surprisingly mighty kitchen. Outside, an expansive patio pulls in a crowd, especially on long summer evenings. On weekends you'll occasionally find a good local DJ upstairs and a mediocre live band outside.

This dive bar strung with twinkling lights is complete with a pool table, nightly DJ, and karaoke. They're known for never having a menu but employing bartenders who can make any drink you're thirsty for, whether it's a simple vodka soda or an elaborate Corpse Reviver #2.

Better Sorts cherishes the artfulness of the cocktail form, from its mixology to the glass in which it's served—and you pay for the expertise. Sumptuous rooms create the illusion of being from another era, but on closer inspection are wholly contemporary—just check out the art.

This no-frills beer-only watering hole is the real deal: cheap beer and a straightforward food menu. Don’t let appearances fool you, however: this is also one of the best places to see both touring and local live music acts up close.

Step off H Street and into a boisterous bit of Bavaria. There might be football on TV, but that's not enough to break the spell of a place so genuinely Germanic. With about a dozen German drafts on offer, along with other authentic specialties—Tito's Mule?—and five fully stocked bars (plus a full kitchen), there's something for everyone, including six different spaces. Get cozy inside, or head for the "pavilion," covered with heaters in winter and partially open in good weather; the tree-lined outdoor patio, sprinkled with fire pits and a heater in winter; four-seater cabins; an outdoor roof deck; and more.

Guests pile onto long benches at communal tables at this Bavarian-style beer hall, as costumed barmaids serve imported German beers, liqueurs, pretzels, and shot-skis (a ski with shot glasses attached). Along with having a 50-foot balcony, a glass ceiling retracts in the summer, ensuring that a stop here is always a good time. Appetizers are large, and beer can be ordered in a 2-liter (glass) boot if you wish.

This South Pacific–theme bar and restaurant features live music, a great selection of craft beers and cocktails, and a lunch and dinner menu serving up tasty tacos and burgers. Located on the second story in Coligny, there's indoor and outdoor seating.

This long-time uptown gay bar and artsy neighborhood restaurant offers a relaxed getaway from Northalsted during the day, and at night can get just as loud and boisterous as any bar in Boystown. Big Chicks has built a friendly, welcoming community around this little cocktail bar over the last few decades where a dance party could happen at any minute. In the morning, order some Bloody Marys alongside a hearty brunch. 

With its neat brick walls, polished wood floors, and vintage memorabilia, Big Time Brewery is one of the best places in the U-District for a quiet beer away from the frenetic college scene. Opened in 1988, it was one of the first local brewpubs of the craft beer movement. The brewery offers more than a dozen beers on tap, including cask ales. Skip the mediocre pub grub.

For a taste of Florida, consider trying the Conch Republic Key Lime Wheat Beer at this satellite location of the Sarasota-based brewery. Of course, if you aren't sure what to order, bartenders happily offer free samples. Beer flights and packaged beer are also available, as are sandwiches, burgers, and bar snacks. The brewpub also hosts trivia or beer-Bingo nights, as well as Saturday and Sunday brunches that feature bottomless mimosas. If you're a sports fan, you can catch games on multiple TVs in the bar; if you want to relax, head to the quaint outdoor seating area.

A multifloor space, down a side alley, the Bike Stop caters specifically to those seeking leather-clad adventures.

This Logan Square cocktail go-to with an impressive catalog of vintage spirits focuses on elevating classic drink recipes by using unexpected ingredients. The Charlie Trotter's alums who opened Billy Sunday cheekily named the bar for the Prohibition-era temperance evangelist.