2610 Best Bars in USA

This sprawling complex of more than 30,000 square feet effectively re-creates the vibe of an otherwise bygone era in D.C.—one of mega-nightclubs in retrofitted warehouses in derelict neighborhoods. With unobstructed sight lines to the stage and a German-imported sound system, it's the place for club kids to dance to the biggest names in E.D.M., from Calvin Harris to David Guetta to Tiesto. Catch your breath at one of the two 60-foot bars lining either side of the dance floor. With no Metro stops nearby, driving or taking a cab/rideshare is required.

The Eddy specializes in classic cocktails like on-draft Negronis, rotating takes on traditional punches, and complex concoctions like the Path to Exile—a stir of rye, St. George ginger pear liqueur, sherry, cinnamon, lemon, and bitters, topped with soda. The less adventurous can pick from draft and bottled beers and a few interesting wines. Add charcuterie, cheese, sliders, seafood, and chocolate mousse, and you have a great night out.

This four-floor hot spot near the White House attracts Washington celebrities, foreign visitors, and the sophisticated elite. The club hosts a variety of local and big-name DJs and is famous for its rooftop deck, attracting big crowds in the summer. Bottle service is available.

Work off your fish-and-chips and Scottish brew with a turn at the dartboard or pool table at this decades-old divey pub. It's popular with locals and Brits, who congregate at the long bar or in the scattered seating areas, downing single-malt Scotch or pints of Fuller's. The pub holds weekly trivia nights and occasional Scottish cultural events (January's Robert Burns celebration is a favorite). Be aware that the surrounding neighborhood is gritty.

Albuquerque's sizable LGBTQ+ community—and anyone else seeking a jumping dance scene—flocks to Effex, a vibrant, centrally located, multi-level nightclub with a huge rooftop bar and an even larger downstairs dance floor. Also inside is SideEffex, a small but sufficient gastropub.

A true neighborhood spot, this small jazz club and restaurant is devoted to music education during the day and performances from local and touring acts in the evenings.

Definitely not your father’s cigar bar, this sexy lounge filled with sexy people (and known to attract a few celebrities) has a custom-crafted humidor, popular and limited-edition stogies, and a drinks menu tailored to the smokes and designed to foster relaxation.

The bar of this restaurant, named for the cactus whose sap is distilled into tequila, is home to the Tequila Museum, a collection of hundreds of top-shelf bottles each as sip-worthy as the finest cognac.

Mescal-powered craft cocktails, classic tequila margaritas, and artisanal bourbons are the mainstays of this serape-chic watering hole. A festive downtown spot to begin or end the evening or to park yourself while waiting for a table at nearby restaurants, El Barrio serves ceviche, guacamole, cheese dips, tacos, and other small bites.

During the weekends, the long-standing Mexican restaurant El Centro becomes a dance club after service, attracting young professionals and students from the area. Sip on margaritas while dancing to the beat of Latin American tunes.

A popular local venue for live bands, DJ sets, and burlesque shows, El Cid has been presenting flamenco performances since the early '60s. The Saturday flamenco dinner and show includes a four-course meal and a lively, engrossing Spanish dance performance. The seafood paella would be the showstopper if it weren't for the incredible performances stealing the limelight.

Although the exterior might not look like much, El Floridita is a popular live salsa music spot Friday through Monday, with dancers ranging from enthusiasts to those just trying to keep up. There's a $15 cover to listen to the band, although admission is free with dinner. Cuban food is the specialty. Reservations are recommended to guarantee a table.

A small selection of constantly rotating wine and beer ensures that you'll get to try something new and interesting each time you visit. While the record player that sits by the bar serves as the main source of music, El Prado teems with young twentysomethings and locals with an endless stream of conversations that flow out to the front of the bar. 

A dive bar in the best sense, El Rio has a calendar chock-full of events, from free bands and films to Salsa Sunday (every fourth Sunday), all of which keep Mission kids coming back. No matter what day you attend, expect to find a diverse queer and straight crowd enjoying local beers and margaritas. When the weather's warm, the large patio out back is especially popular, and the midday dance parties are the place to be.

Cocktails shine at El Sueño, an upscale modern Mexican restaurant with a huge, jungle-esque patio and moody bar that offers plenty of tequila and mezcal concoctions. Expect classics like Palomas and mules as well as innovative mixology, like the bright orange Bad Bunny made with jalapeno-infused tequila and carrot juice. A rotating margarita of the month keeps things interesting, and if you want to continue switching things up, head upstairs to Tako for sushi, sake, whiskey, and more.

Sip margaritas under the palm trees at El Techo, a unique rooftop bar, where the scene is tropical thanks to a canopy of plants and whimsical flowers. The bar also offers an extensive menu of small bites and tacos, as well as heavier dishes such as carne asada and paella for two. A DJ spins upbeat Latin dance music, and there are plenty of seating areas for those who do not feel like dancing. The retractable roof allows for year-round fun.

Elbo Room, a multilevel space in an elbow-shape corner building, has a basement rec-room feel. Talented live bands add a strong dose of nu-jazz, funk, soul, pop, and rock seven days a week.

The Electric Jane is a modern and swanky take on a supper club, offering up a mystical dinner and a show. Come on Saturday, when you can experience a themed drag brunch. 

In the JW Marriott's Power Plant building, this rooftop lounge is one of the city's best and busiest, offering views of the river, great bar food, and signature cocktails like the Fly Me to the Moon with infused vodka.

British expats and other football (not the American kind) fanatics head to this Downtown pub to watch English Premier League, MLS, and LaLiga matches live—which means opening time can be early. We think it's a great excuse for 7 am pint of Fuller's. The menu features pub grub with British flair, from burgers to butter chicken to a flight of four savory potpies. Check out the happy hour snack specials Monday through Friday 3–6 pm.

Toward the back of Foodland Farms (located off Piikoi Street on the Ala Moana Center's first level), this small cocktail bar has an extensive menu of whiskey and other spirits. Both the drinks and the small plates use locally sourced ingredients. As a bonus, once you've enjoyed a drink and a snack, you can pick up some groceries in the main store on your way out.

Polished logs serve as bar stools in this tiny and rustic taproom, located in the back corner of a small, nondescript business plaza, its sign promising "cold beer and warm nuts to go." Elk Head produces a good range of flavorful beers, including hoppy West Coast–style IPAs.

With its Art Deco light fixtures, marble-top tables, and cute leather banquettes, this cocktail bar elevates itself from a neighborhood hangout to a destination. Here, sample creative concoctions based on the classics. While charcuterie boards are available, the spicy PB&J on the snack menu surprisingly pairs nicely with their take on the espresso martini.

A kitschy hangout with a 1960s après-ski vibe, Embers Ski Lodge serves gastropub fare—burgers, hand-cut Belgian fries—with a hint of the Pacific Northwest and East Asia, as well as a selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. Their large patio is located on a great corner for people-watching.

For good food, great drinks and, yes, board games, Emerald Tavern is the place to go. The front retail portion resembles a simple old-school book shop, but with a variety of games lining the shelves. In the back, the tavern offers a unique selection of beers on tap, a sizable wine list, a few café-style bites, and fresh coffee from local roaster Cuvée Coffee. Both indoors and out on the patio, you can sip and savor while passing the time playing a selection of classic, European, and role-playing games, as well as tabletop miniature games that involve tiny figurines.

Once a classic Red River haunt in the middle of downtown, this indie rock and punk venue is now on East Riverside, where a much larger main stage hosts internationally acclaimed names in the music industry, including the likes of Blues Traveler and Lauryn Hill. A long-time player in the Austin music scene, expect plenty of SXSW showcases.

The only thing better than hanging out in Lincoln Center on a lovely night is hanging out a dozen stories above and taking in city views. Thanks to the Empire Hotel's sprawling rooftop bar—most of it outdoors, covered by a retractable roof, and heated in winter—you can enjoy that pleasure even on nights that are less than lovely, whether or not you are a hotel guest. Check online for the schedule for live music and dancing under the stars.

The dapper, white-coated bartenders at this cocktail bar mix delicious, well-thought-out tipples with debonair aplomb and freshly squeezed mixers. Sip one in the dimly lit bar area, and you might feel like you've stepped back in time—if it weren't for the crush of trendy West Village locals and visitors at your back. Look for the green awning that says \"EO\" and the neon \"Psychic\" sign out front. Tasty, if pricey, fare is served in the restaurant at the back.

This spot offers a chic craft cocktail and zero-proof mocktail program with a robust comfort food menu. Local favorites include fried pickles, an aged cheese board, and pizza. Save room for the spiked espresso martini tiramisu custard with chocolate and the right amount of vodka.