2629 Best Bars in USA

Relocated from its original location a few doors down, Buddy Guy's Legends has a superb sound system, excellent sightlines, and more space to showcase Grammy Award–winning blues performer/owner Buddy Guy's collection of blues memorabilia. Look for local blues acts during the week and larger-scale touring acts on weekends. Don't miss Buddy Guy in January, when he performs a monthlong home stand of shows (tickets go on sale one month in advance). There's also a substantial menu of Cajun and Creole favorites.

At the end of the Hyde Street cable car line, Buena Vista packs 'em in for its famous Irish coffee—which, according to the owners, was the first served stateside (in 1952). The place oozes nostalgia with its white-jacketed bartenders and timeless atmosphere, drawing devoted locals as well as out-of-towners relaxing after a day of sightseeing. It's narrow and can get crowded, but this spot is a sip of history and provides a fine alternative to the overpriced tourist joints nearby.

Bungalow by Middlebrow wears a lot of hats---brewery, natural winemaker, sourdough bread bakery, pizzaiolo, all-day neighborhood third place---and looks darned good in all of them. There’s a relaxed, come-one-come-all feeling to the dining room and patio here; indie folk types play mellow sets while friends sip wild ales and families linger over pizza. Fun one-off events, like block parties and collaborative pop-up dinners, are frequent; check in with the house Instagram account ( instagram.com/middle_brow) to find out what's upcoming.

This downtown winemaker with a handsome art-filled wine bar ranks among the top vintners in this city. Stop by for a flight or a full pour—standouts include the well-balanced Tempranillo, the Bordeaux-style Merlot-forward Blend X, and the inky, food-friendly Pont Brûlé Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre. There's live music many evenings, and light appetizers are served.

Your true-emerald Irish music pub pulls in devoted locals and all fans of craic (enjoyable environment). Enthusiastic staff and professional bartenders expertly pour Guinness on tap and serve comfort food (some of the best fish-and-chips in the area, bangers and mash, Irish stew, shepherd's pie). Dark decor; a tiny, sunny, west-facing patio; an old-wood library bar; and slate specials add to the allure of live Irish music—acoustic groups—most nights in both the front and back rooms.

Although it's only open till 10, this is still a place to see and be seen. It's dark and a little mysterious, and the wine, wood-fired pizzas, cheese pairings, meats, and fondues are five-star worthy. Sit at the bar, on a couch, or at a high-top, and be transported to somewhere other than a typical, tropical Keys venue. The daily happy hour offers a "pizza and pitcher" special that's a hit with locals.

Cadet plays things urban-style cool with a long bar, high-top tables, and a low-lit loungelike feel. California wines and beers predominate, but the lineup circles the globe. The same owners run Chispa, a tequila-oriented bar a few blocks away.

Amid music-theme murals by Marcel Vertès, the hotel's discreetly sophisticated supper club, Café Carlyle, hosts such top cabaret and jazz performers as Alan Cumming, Christine Ebersole, Judy Collins, Jon Batiste, John Pizzarelli, Steve Tyrell, and comedians Mario Cantone and Tony Danza. The less fancy-schmancy (though still pricey) Bemelmans Bar features performances by a rotating cast of pianists and singers.

Bemelmans also is known for its wall murals and lampshades. They were painted by the author of the Madeline books, who is said to have traded the artwork for lodging. Bemelmans features solo performers every Tuesday to Saturday and a jazz trio from Thursday to Sunday; cover charges range from $10 to $35. Both nightspots feature old-fashioned cocktails and trendy, new-fashioned ones, as well as luxurious food options such as roasted pumpkin risotto and caviar. Chic attire only (no active sportswear permitted in either one).

Yet another delicious reason to spend time around Hood River's buzzy waterfront district, this craft distiller of rum, vodka, and bracing white whiskey offers an interesting menu of creative cocktails, from new-school mai tais to soothing drinks made with CBD-infused mint oil or elderflower-lavender bitters. There's a noteworthy food menu, too, with ahi poke nachos and grilled cheese sandwiches leading the charge.

Classy tipplers and well-dressed commuters pack into this hidden away Grand Central Terminal bar (especially during the evening rush), but you can still have a romantic time in one of Manhattan's most elegant rooms. The restored space dates from the 1920s, when it was the private office and reception hall of a financier named John W. Campbell, who entertained friends and colleagues here. Sample the good life as you sip cocktails from club chairs and banquettes amid a 100-year-old leaded glass window or come to hear live jazz on weekend nights. The proprietor also offers the smaller Campbell Palm Court and enclosed, outdoor Campbell Terrace; the latter is just outside in the former taxi driveway.

With its elegant, understated Caribbean decor, dim lighting, and low volumes, this rum house is a refreshing relief from the general chaos of the neighborhood. The friendly barkeeps love making "ProtoTiki Cocktails" (specialty rum drinks with modern twists), but there's a sophisticated list of Spanish wines to choose from as well. The space offers a large marble bar, charming courtyard out back, and small tables for intimate dining. Come for the cocktails and atmosphere, but don't miss out on the food: the menu combines Caribbean and southern culinary traditions, and the dishes are inventive and intensely flavorful.

Come to this longtime, low-key destination for brew fans for live music Sunday afternoons (and most Thursday nights). Picture casual picnic seating (indoors and out, where there's plenty of shade) and a sweet choice of IPAs (try the Flashback), a good red ale, a steady brown (Pecos Trail), or a briskly cold 2016 World Beer Cup–winning High Plains Pils. Don't miss the Canteen's hard ciders, wines, and seasonal selections as well.

Cap City packs quite a punch with its stand-up comedian lineup here at its new flagship location in the Domain. This well-attended theater has a reputation as the city's premier spot for stand-up comedy for more than 35 years and it still attracts world-class headliners (and sold-out crowds) on a regular basis. It also showcases heaps of local talent at weekly open-mic nights as well as the club's annual "Funniest Person in Austin" contest.

When it was the original Sloppy Joe's in the mid-1930s, Hemingway was a regular. Later, a young Jimmy Buffett sang here and made this watering hole famous in his song "Last Mango in Paris." Captain Tony was even voted mayor of Key West. Yes, this place is a beloved landmark. Stop in and take a look at the "hanging tree" that grows through the roof, listen to live music seven nights a week, and play some pool.

A Myrtle Beach show staple since 1986, the Carolina Opry is a polished, action-packed variety show featuring live country, light rock, show tunes, and gospel music, plus comedy skits. There's also a "Time Warp" show that pays tribute to the '60s, '70s, and '80s, and a celebrated Christmas Special.

A favorite New Orleans drinking destination since 1949, this revolving bar has served the likes of Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway. If the famed carousel bar is too crowded, there's a second (stationary) bar and a stage that hosts free shows by local musicians Wednesday through Saturday.

This small club near the airport, the unofficial headquarters of the city's indie music scene, has a national reputation for showcasing up-and-coming acts of all genres. Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and the White Stripes all played here on the way to stardom. Check the calendar for daily shows and events.

This laid-back brewpub and pioneer of the Northwest sour-beer movement is a good place for friends and sour-beer lovers to share tart flights of several varieties, including Blackcap Raspberry, Kriek, and potent (10.1% ABV) Sang Noir. You'll find 24 rotating taps, small plates, and sandwiches to complement the sour beers, and ample outdoor seating.

Before you see it, you'll hear this Bourbon Street landmark, New Orleans's most popular karaoke bar. Given an ideal corner location, the bar's tall doors and windows open onto two streets, luring undergrads, conventioneers, and bachelorette parties to hit the dance floor and grab the mike. High-energy MCs and DJs keep the night spinning along, but get on the sign-up sheet early if you want a chance at French Quarter fame.

True to its name, this swanky lounge sits within a chandelier with 2 million crystals, which makes it the largest chandelier in town (and, perhaps, the world). The bar is separated into three levels, and each has a different theme and menu. Level 1—dubbed Bottom of The Chandelier, for those of you scoring at home—is a high-energy space, with offerings like the Hotel California (818 tequila, Apertivo Select, raspberry grenadine, lime, pineapple juices, and Tajin). Level 1.5 is dedicated to hand-crafted cocktails for the \"true experience seeker,\" including the Cigar Lover's Manhattan (which comes with a cognac-infused chocolate cigar and the admonition to \"take your sweet time\"). On Level 2 you can get a Champagne Socialist (spiced pear, vanilla liqueur, citrus, and coco chai syrup). If you're particularly adventuresome (and you can get a seat on the first floor), try the off-menu Verbena cocktail with a \"Szechuan button.\" This desiccated flower from Africa numbs your mouth to make flavors more potent; it also prompts you to down your cocktail in mere seconds. All three levels offer excellent people-watching opportunities. Level 1 is open 24/7; the others have more limited hours.

Euro-chic yet comfortable, this rooftop lounge serves up jaw-dropping skyline views along with sophisticated small bites and expert cocktails—it's not hard to reach the $65 per person minimum spend. The indoor space is cozy and intimate, and the outdoor tables with personal firepits are popular, so reservations are a good idea.

Craft cocktails are the focus at this friendly, stylish lounge set in a renovated house tucked off Fredericksburg's main strip. Go easy with a Paloma or French Blonde—Taylor Swift's favorite cocktail—or go out on a limb and try one of the owner's 100 bourbons, a broad range of whiskeys, or classic cocktails with a twist. Don't overlook the small but mighty food menu, which features bites like "Texas Tapas" (fried artichokes, filet tips) and bar classics such as poutine and stuffed jalapeño peppers. Mains include pan-seared salmon, hefty cheeseburgers, and a wicked penne alla vodka. A great place to hang out, enjoy a great cocktail or a few, and fill your belly.

Around since 1959, this dive bar and steak joint continues to be well-loved in Santa Monica. Everyone from the young to the old (including families) frequents this historical landmark, where Marilyn Monroe is said to have once canoodled with JFK. It's a charming place, from the well-worn booths with their red-checkered tablecloths to the ship's wheel near the door. Photographs are discouraged, but if you ask politely, you can learn how one of the restaurant's famous free peanuts ended up on a trip to the Moon. The backyard lounge is perfect for warm, low-key days; the grub's solid, with a more contemporary menu, and the happy hour is popular amongst locals and tourists alike.

For a truly unique evening, try and find this cocktail bar hidden behind a storefront along Andersonville's Clark Street. Once inside, you'll find a bar where magicians perform up-close sleight of hand while patrons sip delicious cocktails. That's just the prelude to the main theater where feats of illusion and trickery are performed nightly. 

In Spanish, the name of this upscale watering hole means "spark"—it's also slang for "tipsy"—but by any translation it's a lively place to sip artisanal tequila in cocktails or on its own. The tequila-friendly menu plays the field with ceviche, raw oysters, caviar bumps, tacos, and pork-belly lettuce cups. Other spirits are served, along with beer and wine.

Offering the fruits of the adjacent Cigar City brewery, this large tasting room puts Tampa on the map for craft beer enthusiasts. On tap, it offers mainstays like Jai Alai IPA and Maduro Brown Ale as well as an interesting rotation of seasonal beers. The staff is friendly, and the music is generally good, but beware: happy hour can be packed.

In a beautifully renovated space with pressed-tin ceilings and a gorgeous antique bar, this is the place to come for a bottle of wine or champagne by the glass. Recordings of jazz legends like Billie Holiday or Django Reinhardt are usually the soundtrack, and the bar area is filled with tucked-away nooks for couples on a date. The gastropub next door offers a full menu of French fare that can also be ordered late into the night. The gourmet burgers and the mussels are highly recommended.