2610 Best Bars in USA

The W Las Vegas gives its classy lobby lounge a moniker that goes with its theme: the 32nd president. Bourbons, whiskeys, and barrel-aged drinks are specialties here, so belly up, let the soft music and tiny twinkling lights help you relax, and ask the bartender to prep you a little something, maybe from the Woodford Reserve barrel service (and yes, you can keep the barrel). What's more, since it's a lobby lounge, there's no cover.

One of the city's premier bars for cocktail lovers, the sexy Franklin is named after a cover business established by infamous Philly gangster Max \"Boo Boo\" Hoff. Bartenders whip up potent and elaborate cocktails in a narrow parlor in the back of the Franklin Hotel that often requires a wait; make a reservation to bypass that issue. The location is a little tough to find, but the payoff is worth it.

Hip-hop artists, singer-songwriters, rock bands, and more regularly perform at Franklin Music Hall, formerly known as the Electric Factory. With room for 3,000 guests, the venue offers a not-too-big, not-too-small viewing experience, within a historic venue to boot.

A former supper club that attracted movers and shakers of yesteryear, the updated Franky's is now under the watch of Mark Bee, architect of North 3rd and Silk City. A kitschy dining room decorated with Bee's Technicolor flea market finds gives way to an upstairs performance space used by DJs and live acts. Food is served until 1 am on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 pm on Sunday, and 2 am on Friday and Saturday.

At this intimate little spot that was once a 1930s filling station, one can sip a latte and nibble on a sandwich while taking in the casual, artsy scene. It's open weekdays 7–9 and weekends 9–9. Feeling inspired? Tuesday is open-mic night.

This beloved dive bar draws an eclectic local following, thanks to strong, cheap drinks and a crowd that lives up to the bar’s name. There’s a pool table and room for dancing to the juke box. It becomes a busy spot during Mardi Gras parades.

This fantastic woman- and queer-owned bar-restaurant has an excellent compact food menu, standout cocktails, a chic interior design, and one of the best patios in the city. The house margarita is an intriguing must-try drink with mezcal and lemon instead of lime and tequila. Other drinks have eyebrow-raising elements that truly work like melon-infused gin or a coconut water popsicle. The grilled cheese and carrot cake are best in class for those comfort food staples.

An old-school gem in the midst of Bourbon Street's many venues with bad cover bands, this Dixieland music club, built in the style of the old jazz halls, has tight rows of seating close to the stage and floating barmaids. Drinks cost a little more, but there's never a cover charge. Shows are held nightly.

The large comfortable tasting room at Waynesville's original brewery shows off with exposed brick and natural wood accents. In warm weather, the outdoor seating by the creek draws a crowd. There's a busy schedule of live music and yoga classes.

Once frequented by one of L.A.’s most famous literary sons, Charles Bukowski, the Frolic Room was also owned at one point by Howard Hughes and has served as a filming location for period flicks like L.A. Confidential and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Despite its impressive history, its down-to-earth atmosphere and proximity to the Pantages Theatre makes it the perfect place to start off your night. The bar's brilliant neon sign is hard to miss.

Local ingredients are used to make the traditional and experimental beers at this regionally celebrated brewery. Beer-friendly food is served at the tavern. A second location (with pizza!) is at Boxyard RTP ( 900 Park Offices Dr.).

This longtime spot, a block over from the Empire State Building, stands out from its karaoke counterparts by being a BYO venue. Yes, you can send a pizza delivery here or bring in a snack of your own. It’s also budget-friendly, as other spots could get pricey with bottle service and room rentals. The venue’s website lists a page where you can search for songs, with language selections including English, Spanish, and Chinese, so you can prep for your time on the mic ahead of time. With their late business hours, you and your group can sing on well into the night.

Nostalgia reigns at this true neighborhood fixture, which opened in 1934 and has had the same owner (Captain Ron) for more than 30 years. As Santa Monica's oldest restaurant and bar, the Galley has a consistent nautical theme inside and out: the boatlike exterior features wavy blue neon lights and porthole windows. Inside, fishing nets and anchors adorn the walls, and the whole place is aglow with colorful string lights. Most patrons tend to crowd the center bar, with the more dinner-oriented folks frequenting the booths. The back patio is also a solid choice in good weather, especially for weekend brunch. And, strangely enough, the secret-recipe salad dressing is justifiably famous.

Housed in Harlowton's historic Montana Building, built in 1913, Gally's Brewing has had plenty of past lives: pool hall, video rental store, pharmacy, etc. Since 2017 it's been the best brewery (and only brewery) within a 45-mile radius. Most Mondays it hosts beer and bingo at 5:30 pm.

Full of sports fans and former frat boys, Gamekeepers has more than 40 TVs, three projection screens, and complete satellite sports coverage. There's barely a game it doesn't get.

The thought of parking in downtown Austin induces an instant headache. Yet, one particular parking garage on Colorado in between Fifth and Sixth streets has been known as a stress-relieving, inner-city sanctuary for savvy cocktail lovers since 2014. Enter under the "Cocktails" sign just past the nondescript garage's "Enter" and "Exit" signs and arrive via a winding entryway into the intimate, industrial-meets-mid-century-chic speakeasy. Snag one of the dozen stools around the curved granite bar to watch the experts at work on signature cocktails like the popular Indian Paintbrush, or cozy up in the banquette booths to people watch the weekend crowds. The menu also includes tasty small plates and snacks.

Just down the block from some of Magazine Street's finest boutiques, you'll find this neighborhood haunt that exudes the ambience of a 19th-century pub. Its exposed-brick walls and copper-top bar are completed with Sazeracs and absinthe on the terrific drinks menu. It's a great place to end a day of exploring or to get the evening started, while mingling among neighborhood denizens.

Perhaps one of Duval's more unusual and intriguing watering holes, the Garden of Eden sits atop the Bull & Whistle saloon and has a clothing-optional policy. Most drinkers are lookie-loos, but some actually bare it all, including the barmaids.

Near the gondola in Lionshead, Garfinkel's has good service, tons of local flavor, and plenty of TV screens for watching sports.

In a stylish light-filled storefront space in downtown Dover with a large redbrick side patio, sip some of the state’s most inventive craft beers, from saisons to stouts. Globally inspired street tacos (Korean beef, Nashville chicken) are offered too.

Fourth-generation bar owner Frankie Sciuto opened Gaslamplighter in early 2024 as an elevated take on the traditional karaoke bar. The art deco decor harkens back to the Roaring Twenties, with polished gold accents and a plush velvet lounge encircling the stage, which hosts live music Thursday through Saturday before opening to aspiring crooners around 9 or 10 pm. Sophisticated cocktail attire is strongly encouraged, and don't skip the burger—it's one of the best in town.

Notorious Spanish pirate José Gaspar was known for swashbuckling up and down Florida's west coast in the late 18th and early 19th century. His legend has inspired a massive, raucous street festival each winter. This Ybor City drinkery has adopted his name, and rightly so. Decked out in tons of pirate memorabilia, it's the cornerstone to any night spent barhopping on the Ybor strip. The sangria is a good choice, but the aged rums might be even better. You'll also find a food menu that goes well beyond standard bar fare.

A famous nightclub located in a beautifully restored, brick historic cornerstone building downtown, the Gator Club has live music, DJs, dancing, karaoke, adult bingo, burlesque, and other events 365 days a year. It's also known as the home of Sarasota's largest spirits selection.

The sleek, sophisticated Gatsby’s is known for its vintage and rare Champagnes and classic and artisanal cocktails, including the Champagne Bubble Bath for two (on the secret menu), which is muddled blood orange with Aperol, gin, sparkling wine, and strawberry and rose syrup. And it comes complete with a rubber ducky. Every first Friday brings the Return of the Gatz, a 1920s-theme party with music and dancing.

Removed from the tourist traps along Kalakaua Avenue, the Genius Lounge is tucked away on the third floor of a former apartment building on Lewers Street. The extensive drink menu offers beer and wine, cocktails, homemade sangria, and, of course, sake. Locally inspired dishes are also available. Though small, the space is open to the outdoors and furnished with dark woods and lit by candles, making an intimate setting for small gatherings and Friday-night dates. The crowd is mostly Asian visitors and transplants, but a daily happy hour (6–8 pm) lures office workers and pre-club prowlers.

Beloved by locals, this divey English pub attracts grizzled old Brits watching soccer, hipsters looking for cheap beer and whiskey, a frat crowd that clogs up the front patio area on weekends, and know-it-alls hoping to crush the competition at the popular Thursday trivia night. Major soccer events like the World Cup bring in huge crowds.