2629 Best Bars in USA

One of the pianos that graced the original Odette's, the long-closed cabaret that was a New Hope institution, now resides at this casual, quintessential river tavern (think cozy rooms with dark wood tables and booths) halfway between New Hope and Washington's Crossing. The bar area's six-nights-a-week entertainment, with music from standards to jazz to country, is popular and gay-friendly.  Its hearty American fare has a strong following, too, for lunch and dinner.

Aptly located in a boxy glass-and-steel contemporary building in the trendy North Williams Corridor, this low-key, self-proclaimed "drinking parlor" stands out in particular for its nicely balanced whiskey cocktails. Note the extensive use of homemade, sometimes barrel-aged, bitters, and the long list of premium whiskeys and small-batch bourbons.

Brad Garrett, he of Everybody Loves Raymond and Single Parents fame, has returned to his stand-up roots in a classic comedy-club setting—a bar with plenty of photos of . . . well, Brad Garrett on the walls. He handpicks the comedians and headlines almost monthly himself: \"It was either this or Jews on Ice at the Stratosphere,\" he likes to tell audiences. There's usually a hefty cover charge of at least $65.

Don't be put off by the location inside a small industrial park—this convivial taproom offers seating at picnic tables with wooden-keg tables, a big outdoor seating area where you can nosh on tasty pub fare, and, most importantly, great beer, including a tart Gose and potent triple IPA.

The most important book in this exquisite wood-paneled \"library\" is the leather-bound menu listing hundreds of brandies and single-malt scotches. The bottles are on handsome backlighted shelves, though, and you can learn what makes each of them special by chatting with the spirit sommelier—or by buying into one of the lounge's \"Spirit School\" tasting classes. This bar is decidedly sophisticated, with house rules prohibiting loud or vulgar talking.

At this intimate uptown saloon and piano bar, the singing waitstaff warms up the crowd, getting everyone in the mood to belt out their favorite Broadway and pop tunes. Live music starts at 9:30 nightly; there's no cover charge, but the bar has a two-drink minimum per person. It can get crowded so get there early to snag a table or enjoy the music from the bar area. A schedule of performers is listed on the bar's website.

Opened in 2004, when the Meatpacking District was just starting to become trendy, the wood-clad Brass Monkey is still around and more popular than ever. And what a minor miracle that is, given that it's a true neighborhood bar, lacking the glamour and glitz that attracts scenesters to the area from far and wide. This might well be part of the bar's appeal. Also appealing, though, is that, in warm weather, you can plant yourself on the rooftop, enjoy the sun and the views, and raise your glass to that funky monkey.

Famous for its prolific range of beers and a face-sized soft pretzel, this industrial-styled brewpub spans two floors, with a sunny dining hall, a covered patio, and a mezzanine bar. Don’t miss the rotating taps that showcase the brewmaster’s experimental spirit. Breakside also has a second brewpub on Dekum Street in Inner Northeast Portland.

Mingle with locals over cocktails and catch amazing sunsets from the comfort of an enclosed, air-conditioned bar. Floor-to-ceiling doors can be opened on cool days and closed on hot days.

Helping enliven the Kaimuki night scene is this pub, which stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. It's a small place—you have to squeeze between nearby patrons to get to and from your table—but the wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu of 150-plus beers. BREW'd also offers better versions of standard pub fare than you'll find at some places in town, including a good brisket poutine.

Housed in a turn-of-the-century brownstone that belonged to an investment banker, the Brewer's Art has a well-deserved reputation for great beer. At any given time, the on-site brew house produces a half dozen Belgian-style beers—one fine example of which is their Resurrection, an abbey brown ale. Upstairs is an elegant bar and lounge with ornate woodwork, marble pillars, and chandeliers, plus a dining room with terrific food; downstairs, the dimly lit subterranean bar makes a great spot for sharing secrets.

At The Brick, every Friday at 7 pm, Emcee Maygun, armed with her trusty laptop, serves as a witty and sassy host for a completely original take on bar trivia that allows teams to challenge, or "riot," other teams' answers. Admission is $5. The Brick hosts a variety of punk, rock, and alternative bands most nights.

This speakeasy hidden above Central Kitchen is easily one of the coolest places in Cambridge to grab a drink. A boozie heaven (although there are a ton of mocktails as well), there are craft cocktails, pops, and shooters all served in a dark and sexy modern space. The four-shot DTO (daiquiri time out) is a fun opener to the evening, and the martini menu offers creative variations on the classic. The small menu is great for snacking, with deviled eggs, tinned baby scallops, and stuffed dates on the list.

This is a great place to unwind with a late-afternoon or evening craft cocktail or local beer. While you're here, be sure to check the cool items for sale in the adjacent MOYO Boutique.

Plunked down in the rapidly transforming industrial section of the South Bronx, this neighborhood hangout, with its breezy deck seating, relaxed vibes, and fruity, tropical cocktails, has become a local favorite for DJ beats or just watching football on game day. Stop by for a beer from their rotating list of over 30 craft beers on tap, or for brunch bites, the cheap lunch special ($10.95), or happy hour. 

This pint-size, colorful microbrewery is making a name for itself as having some of the best local beer in the area. There are around 10 beers on tap at any given time, often exotic varieties with locally inspired names. A large beer garden and outdoor patio in the back is the brewery's best feature.

This 70-plus-year-old, charming bar continually reinvents itself. The Brig has its pluses (interesting drinks, talented DJs, and some live music) and minuses (ugh, parking), but is worth a look if you're in the area. There's always a food truck around, and the bar's fine with you bringing in outside food.

Brillo Box is a bar with good food that showcases independent rock.

Built in 1935, this fun, casual place has been a staple of the Alamo Heights community for so long that most people can't remember when it wasn't there. The crowd is eclectic, although it skews younger, and it's a great place to hang out, have a cold adult beverage, listen to live music or karaoke, and watch sports. There's also a lunch and dinner menu—the burgers alone have their own devout following. Saturday and Sunday features a variety of breakfast tacos.

Less of a party scene and more of a place to sit and chat over a pint, Broadway Brewhouse's draft selection is rivaled by few places in town. The attached Mojo Grill serves a mash-up of Cajun and Tex-Mex food, plus some of the best chicken wings in town.

Expect to find established and rookie comics taking the stage at this busy, long-running club, with three rooms on two floors, and multiple shows nightly. Plenty of big names have performed here, including Wanda Sykes, Brett Butler, and Sarah Silverman. It's best to buy advance tickets, arrive early to snag good seats, and get your two-drink-minimum orders flowing before comedians start dishing out the laughs.

Like its siblings in Miami, NYC, and elsewhere, Chicago's Broken Shaker specializes in highly creative cocktails, with a rotating menu that leans to the savory side. On one visit, we sampled a "Turn Up," with mezcal, Cynar, mango, coconut, and lemon. The bar itself is on the small side, but seating and service spill out into the Freehand hotel lobby. 

A popular stop after skiing or hiking in the mountains to the west, this convivial brewpub in rural Naches is named for a classic Led Zeppelin song that in Welsh means "hill of gold." This is an apt description of the surrounding semi-arid bluffs and also a nod to the mostly British-style sips, including a refreshing blonde ale with heady floral notes. Cheddar tots, pizzas, and beer-infused brownies are among the food offerings. 

This sprawling space, with its own taproom and backyard, is as good a sign as any that the Bronx’s time has finally come. It's a true local gathering place—one that brings in DJs, hosts basketball tournaments, and acts as a home base for the Bronx-founded Empanology, serving innovative empanadas, sandwiches, and pizza. The expansive list of beers created in-house include a mix of year-round and seasonal. They've since opened locations in Manhattan's East Village and Hudson Yards.

Popular Brooklyn venue and activity space Brooklyn Bowl opened its Nashville outpost in 2021 and has since become a hot spot for local and national touring acts alike. Catch a concert while you throw strikes, or just take in your favorite artist within the venue itself while you sip on a spiked milkshake. Most events require tickets and/or reservations, so plan ahead.

This brewery resurrected the borough's once-active craft beer scene when it opened in a former matzo factory in 1996. There are free tours on Sunday, while weekday Small Batch Tours offer an in-depth look and a chance to try and give feedback on new experimental beers. Tap offerings in its sizable, congenial taproom include their signature Brooklyn Lager and crowd favorite Pulp Art Hazy IPA.