2629 Best Bars in USA

The Blind Lemon has a secluded courtyard, a compact old-world interior, and a cozy fireplace.

New Orleans and Chicago blues groups are the main thing here, although Cajun and zydeco are also on the calendar from time to time. The name honors Blind Willie McTell, a native of Thomson, Georgia; his original compositions include "Statesboro Blues," made popular by the Georgia-based Allman Brothers.

A very cool bar with a friendly vibe and bright decor, Blue Box serves a good selection of house cocktails, house shots of spicy pineapple tequila and strawberry vodka, and some very good seasonal craft brews. The name comes from the blue box cooler that overnight "third shift" workers at the original Pearl Brewery would keep their beers in (brewery workers could drink on the job back then). All Day Happy Hour on Sunday and Monday.

In an upscale part of downtown, Blue Chicago has none of the trademark grit or edginess of the older South Side blues clubs. What it does offer is a good sound system, a packed calendar that regularly features female vocalists, and a cosmopolitan audience that's a tad more diverse than some of the baseball-capped crowds at Lincoln Park blues clubs.

At this indoor–outdoor hot spot, enjoy a drink from the lengthy martini menu or indulge in tasty appetizers. Nightly live entertainment gets the party started.

A hot spot for the wild set, Blue Martini's menu is filled with tons of unconventional martini creations. The drinks are usually very good and the scene is fun for everyone, even those who aren't single and looking to mingle.

It's in a shopping mall eight minutes from the Strip (by taxi), but we won't hold that against the Blue Martini, because it's still pretty cool. The cream of local bands plays here, an attractive blue interior curves from room to room, and the cocktail menu is impressive (the signature martinis are served in the shaker). Also, there's a legendary happy hour from 5 to 8 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Best of all, hordes of the kind of people you'll want to meet (that is, sexy non-tourists of all genders) keep pouring in.

This local bar, which serves decent wings, sandwiches, and other typical (albeit above-average) pub grub, is a popular spot for patrons to nurse their favorite brew while catching up with colleagues and friends.

Whether the owner's band is playing on the stage or cowboys are serenading a sparse crowd of locals during karaoke, this place is a hoot. The wooden dance floor gets a good scuffing on Western dance and country-swing nights. Two stuffed grizzly bears rear up near the entrance, and other species decorate the large saloon as well.

Soul Rebels, Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers, and Where Y'At Brass Band are among the talented local acts that regularly grace the stage at this long-standing, bare-bones music club. You're likely to catch a free act during the week; on weekends, tickets range $15–$20 and can be purchased at the door or online in advance for most shows. Price is higher than some of the other clubs, but performance quality is consistent. It's a true Frenchmen Street institution.

The famed New York jazz room's intimate West Coast club hosts headliners such as Candy Duffer, Kim Waters, and Dinah Jane. At Locals Night on many Wednesdays, homegrown talent performs. There's a full bar, and you can order a meal or small bites from the kitchen. The larger JaM Cellars Ballroom upstairs books similar artists.

Jack White's Nashville bar and venue slings drinks from Thursday through Sunday, but there's almost always something happening during the week that's worth checking out. Independent film screenings that don't happen anywhere else in the city, touring bands from all over, funky little art markets, trivia, dance parties, and comedy nights are consistently found on the event calendar.

The Blue Room, in the American Jazz Museum, has live performances Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Most shows are $5.

Blueberry Hill, a mainstay of the trendy Loop district, is an intimate venue that hosts local and nationally-known acts and features monthly performances by rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry.

Of Denver's numerous old-school music hangouts, the most popular is the regally restored Bluebird Theater, which showcases local and national acts, emphasizing rock, hip-hop, Americana, and ambient genres.

This no-frills neighborhood watering hole gets packed on weekends and whenever professional soccer is streaming on one of the large TVs.

For a walk into history, stop by the Blues Heaven Foundation, which occupies the former home of the legendary Chess Records. Breathe the same rarefied air as blues (and rock-and-roll) legends Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, and the Rolling Stones, all of whom recorded here. Check out the Chess brothers' private offices, the recording studio, and the back stairway used only by signed musicians. Be sure to see the eerie "Life Cast Portraits" wall showcasing the plaster heads of the Chess recording artists. Tour hours are 12–4 Monday through Saturday.

A big nightlife draw around Lake Havasu is BlueWater Casino, 40 miles south in the town of Parker. The gaming area comprises more than 500 slot machines, plus blackjack, poker, and bingo, and it adjoins a full-service resort with a concert hall, bars, a movie theater, restaurants, a 164-slip marina, and a 200-room hotel.

This lively downtown Dunedin nightclub caters to the LGBTQ+ crowd and anyone looking for a fun night out. Sports fans will enjoy game-day watch parties while music lovers can take the stage during karaoke or catch a live band perform. Meanwhile, drag queen bingo is a fun addition to the calendar.

A cozy, casual date spot, Blush! serves wines paired with tapas, charcuterie boards, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Sit at the counter for a nice chat with the friendly bartender, and pick a glass or bottle of bubbly or white, rosé, or red wine from its well-curated collection. This place always buzzes on weekends, so reserve in advance.

"Put down your smart phone and interact!" is the motto at this pub, with 20-plus beers on tap, a full bar, and many board games to rent—from tried-and-true classics to vintage oddities. To enhance the fun, you can bring in your own food or have it delivered. Just don't bring in booze or other beverages; you are expected to buy them on the premises. Check before bringing a party of 10 or more; another thing worth checking is whether you can bring under 21s, who tend to be welcome at weekend lunchtimes. Reservations are accepted.

Priding itself as one of the last remaining neighborhood bars in Los Angeles’s ever-evolving bar scene, Boardner’s has maintained its no-nonsense vibe since 1942. Leave your self-importance at the door, order ice-cold beer and hearty mac and cheese, and keep an eye out for any weird apparitions—this place is known to be one of the most haunted spots in the city. Live music, a killer sound system, and a large dance floor bring out L.A.'s party people to this last-of-its kind Hollywood speakeasy.

Inside the tiny dining room and outside on the slightly bigger deck area, you can enjoy fancy cocktails, wine, and upscale food here. The parking lot outside has been converted to The Garden with picnic tables, a coffee cart, and more casual fare during the daytime only. The Boardroom is closed Monday and Tuesday, and reservations are recommended. 

This massive complex that serves as the gateway to the Okaloosa Island Pier houses several restaurants including Rockin Tacos, The Crab Trap, Floyd's Shrimp House, Al's Beach Club and Burger Bar, and Pino Gelato as well as live entertainment and shops.

Tucked down Coryell Street in the Porkyard alley, this small, two-story wood-framed building displays loads of vintage nautical memorabilia from its floors to the rafters. Dark and cozy, it's an atmospheric place for a well-made cocktail or other drink before or after dinner; just know that there's no food, and it can get crowded. The second floor is for events. There's some outdoor seating in summer.

The Tea Dance at the Boatslip is a real Provincetown tradition. From early May through early November, the music starts at 4 pm, and the crowds (mostly men) gather around the pool to start the night dancing, drinking, and merrymaking until 7 pm. The music and cover charge vary (there is always a cover), but a real favorite is the Solid Gold Tea, spinning dance classics from the 1970s and '80s. Located on Commercial Street, the Buoy Bar and Patio is a great place to relax post-beach or pre-dinner and the Beach Club has a pool and sundeck perfect for drinks and relaxation. 

Modeled after the King of Reggae's home in Kingston, Jamaica (even down to the air-conditioning window units), this nightclub is also part museum, with more than 100 photographs and paintings showing pivotal moments in Marley's life. Though the place does serve Jamaican-influenced meals, (like the No Woman, No Cry Jerk Chicken Salad) most patrons are at the cozy bar or on the patio, where they can be jammin' to a (loud) live band and DJ that plays nightly. For a nice souvenir, pose by the Marley statue outside the club.

One of the busiest bars in the nightlife-friendly National Harbor, Bobby McKey's is the place to visit when you're in the mood to sing along to all your favorite bar songs from Journey to Billy Joel. A cavernous two-level restaurant wraps around a stage where two pianists vie for your affections through their musical prowess.

For a glass (or a bottle) of natural wine served with delicious, fresh small plates from burrata and radish salads to flavorful sweet potato tacos, head to this popular neighborhood wine bar. The rotating selection of artisanal wines from small producers, mainly in France, Italy, and California, pairs well with the eclectic, casual atmosphere. The weekend breakfast burritos are legendary.