2610 Best Bars in USA

This historic outdoor music venue, established in 1871, is tucked away on the east side and offers a funky and fresh mix of music and theme parties in a dive-bar–esque setting with an impressive outdoor stage. On-site parking can be tough to find, so ride-sharing is encouraged. Be sure to check out their lineup during SXSW.

This Downtown bar has quite a story behind its moniker (think castles, wizards, and yup, hobgoblins), and that theme carries throughout its food, drink, decor, and entertainment. Try one of the magic potions (cocktails) meant to spell fertility, prosperity, or healing among other things. The menu features gastropub fare with a strong Asian influence. Stop in Thursday through Saturday nights for live piano music.

Come by boat or car to this oceanfront restaurant and sports bar, where you can soak in the views dockside or relax in the air-conditioning. Munch on fresh fish sandwiches or barbecue dishes while you shoot pool, catch the big game on large flat-screens, or dance to a live band or DJ. Late night can get a bit wild and loud.

Belly up to the bar for a cold mug of the signature Hog's Breath Lager at this infamous joint, a must-stop on the Key West bar crawl. Live bands play daily 1 pm–2 am (except when the game's on TV). You never know who'll stop by and perhaps even jump on stage for an impromptu concert (can you say Kenny Chesney?).

The hallowed walls of this UT dive bar and music venue are legendary. It's been a mainstay on the Drag since 1974, with a gritty Old Austin atmosphere that still remains today despite the high-rise apartments and student housing that continue to develop around it in West Campus. It's a reliable haunt where you can find cheap Lone Star beers and excellent live music every day of the week. Celebs looking for an authentic night out in Austin are spotted here regularly during festivals like SXSW, as are a lively tribe of locals who show up for the weekly happy hours, songwriters' nights, and monthly lineup of local bands and touring headlining acts. There's an indoor and outdoor stage with an on-site food truck that stays open late.

Rat Pack wannabes or anyone looking to relive the swing-dance dream of the 90s will appreciate the mid-century decor at this modern-retro lounge. Order a martini and scan the straightforward bar menu as you vibe to crooners like Frank and Dino on the digital juke box. The back room hosts comedy open mics, karaoke, trivia, and storytelling events on weeknights and 80s and 90s dance parties on the weekends.

If you've been in the city long enough, you'll remember the Holiday as the quintessential New York dive bar, with dim lighting and basic drinks, where everyone felt comfortable despite the slightly uncomfortable bar stools and banquettes. If you've just arrived here, you'll be treated to a similar welcoming ambience, but with new upholstery, trendier drinks, and bar food that ranges from Wagyu corn dogs, kimchi tacos, and deep-fried pickles to a somewhat questionable Cuban sandwich and doughnut hybrid.

Hosting DJ dance nights that range from indie-pop dance parties to LGBTQ+ hip-hop nights and poetry slams, the 5,000-square-foot former auto-parts warehouse pulls in diverse crowds. It's sometimes closed early in the week; check the online calendar before you visit.

This is one of those neighborhood haunts that is just the right amount of dive bar. The drinks are cheap, the selection is big, and the beer is local. There is an event almost every night, from funk performances and karaoke to live jazz and dance parties.

This small live music venue attracts a diverse range of bands and DJs, in every genre from rock to hip-hop, Tuesday–Sunday throughout the year; Monday is stand-up comedy night. There's a laid back vibe, and Holy Mountain serves up southern-inspired food and drink specials on the back patio.

Packed with bachelorettes and fraternity bros with straws stuck into potent Scorpion Bowls, this party spot serves up $1 chicken teriyaki skewers, drafts, and shots, and hosts daily karaoke with contests and weekly dating games for revelers on the dance floor. A frequent stop on bar crawls, the Hong Kong does a big trade in tacky gear and earned souvenirs like Buddha mai-tai cups.

Looming over the busiest corner of Lower Broad, the balconies of this three-story club teem with revelers enjoying great live music, food, and beverages.

Oahu's brewing scene has erupted in Kakaako’s industrial neighborhood, and one brewpub led the charge: Honolulu Beerworks. In a converted warehouse, owners Geoff and Charmayne Seideman and their crew brew 10 core beers—Kewalo's Cream Beer and South Shore Stout among them—in addition to limited releases with often spicy names. When you need some ono grinds (delicious food) with your local brew, they've got munchies, flatbreads, panini, and mac and cheese. Cocktails are also available. It’s a regular spot for many locals, particularly on the weekends. You might just make new friends sitting at one of the bar's long picnic tables, made from reclaimed wood.

At this convivial downtown bar and bottle shop with café tables and a few comfy armchairs, you'll find an extensive selection of local wines, beers, and ciders. There's no kitchen, but guests are welcome to bring food in from nearby restaurants. For a sweet kick on one of those hot summer days in the Gorge, try a Sloshy Pop—these boozy gourmet popsicles come in refreshing flavors like strawberries-and-rosé and pineapple-lemongrass. 

Home to the haziest IPAs and biggest barrel-aged stouts, Hop Butcher is the place to be for a look at the cutting edge of American craft beer. Stop by the taproom for a flight or a pint or hit the retail store for some merch or a four-pack of cans to go.

Run by the mononymous owner Lê, a one-of-a-kind personality known for berating customers for breaking the bar's house rules, Hop Sing is a spirituous haven for bargoers who prefer their cocktails clandestine. Hopeful patrons wait in front of a nondescript door in Chinatown, adhering to a strict no-phones policy to gain admission. Once inside, the high-end spirits and creative cocktails flow in a moody, mismatched, haunted-library-esque room unlike any other in the city.

Curious about the Southeast's celebrated craft beer scene? Make a stop at this laid-back taproom to try one of their 36 rotating taps, order a bite from their small but solid food menu, and relax and refuel after a long day of walking and shopping. Hit up their nightly \"Hoppy Hour\" from 4–6 pm for different beer specials, and remember to check out the fridge for a six-pack to take home.

Ominously known as one of the last places Edgar Allan Poe was seen alive (he was not sober), it's been said that Poe's spirit can still be felt in this age-old neighborhood tavern. Time stands still inside the dimly lit bar. Saddle up on one of the barstools and order a whiskey: they serve more than 8 different kinds of Jack Daniels infusions. Or, sip on a whiskey cocktail—the "Jack Crush" is mixed with triple sec, orange juice and Sprite. Beer, tequila and margaritas round out the drinks menu. At night, the bar turns downright raucous with live music and dancing.

Creative, produce-driven cocktails and a chic, low-key vibe make this a locals' frequent top choice for a fun night out. The always interesting (but never too bizarre) cocktails range from a breezy California Cooler with celery juice to the rum-and-whiskey-based Breakfast Punch featuring clarified Cinnamon Toast Crunch–infused milk. Weekend brunch is excellent, as is the delightfully messy double cheeseburger. The kitchen stays open late nightly.

Operated by Caesar’s Entertainment, Maryland’s newest casino opened with great fanfare in August 2014. It features 122,000 square feet of gaming space, including 2,500 slot machines, more than 100 table games such as Craps, Roulette, Baccharat, Pai Gow, and Texas Hold 'Em, and a World Series of Poker room. Celebrity restaurants include Johnny Sanchez (a taqueria operated by Food Network Chefs John Besh and Aaron Sanchez), Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen and Bar, and Jack Binion’s Steakhouse. The casino is open 24 hours.

You may recognize the Hot Club from the opening scenes of the movie Something About Mary. For more than 30 years, this place has been a favorite hangout for young professionals, university professors, and politicians. On summer afternoons until the wee hours of the morning, you'll find the hip set on the outdoor deck overlooking the Providence River. For cheap eats, try local favorites like the Saugy dog (hot dog) or a "stuffie"---a stuffed quahog clam that's a Rhode Island seafood staple.

This happening waterfront joint is set up for a backyard party, featuring live music on the gazebo stage every Friday and Saturday night. There's also an excellent menu of steamed, fried, and broiled seafood.

Co-Founders Sarah Real and Mike Dell’Aquila have made this hip downtown brewery into a community hub, providing beer lovers a rotating menu of craft beers, weekly entertainment, and a quiet spot where you can play board games or join a book club. The brewery doesn't sell food, so feel free to bring your favorite pizza to enjoy with friends over a pint. 

Few views of the Strip are as breathtaking as the one you'll get from this uber-chic lounge on the 23rd floor of the Waldorf Astoria. The room is wrapped with floor-to-ceiling windows, meaning just about every one of the plush banquettes is a winning seat. Mixologists have concocted cocktails themed to Southern Nevada (The Spanish Trail, The I'll Sleep Tomorrow), and it's easy to pay a dollar for every floor of that view in a single cocktail. There's also a small menu of bite-size appetizers, such as caviar and toro tacos, truffle fries, and dark chocolate pot de creme, and \"premier tastings\" that include Whistle Pig and Remy Martin Louis XIII. Business-casual dress is recommended.

This tiny, cavelike (in a good way) spot displays the work of local artists on its brick walls. The well-behaved twenty- to thirtysomething clientele enjoys the off-the-beaten-path quarters, the wines from around the world, the soft lighting, and the hip music.

This intimate venue caters to fans of folk, indie rock, and music on the softer side. With red velvet backdrops, hardwood furnishings, and the occasional celebrity surprise performance—notably John Mayer—music lovers will not only be very happy but will receive a respite from the ordinary Hollywood experience.

You don't need to be a hotel guest to unwind at the San José's popular courtyard bar and lounge in what many consider to be the hippest hotel in town. Enjoy signature micheladas, reasonably priced bottles of wine, and cheese plates poolside or at a bamboo-bordered patio table. Special events, like the annual South by San Jose SXSW festival, showcase local bands in the adjacent parking lot, while weekly DJ sets, themed dance parties, and seasonal happy hour specials are hosted in the lounge space.

If the sun has set and you're ready to not only hear, but feel some beats, then hit up these side-by-side sister bars and live music venues for nightly live bands, killer DJ sets, and dance parties in the heart of East Sixth Street. Expect a throwdown of sound during SXSW.

The local branch of the renowned music chain is decorated floor to ceiling with colorful folk art and features three different areas to hear music. There's something going on here just about every night of the week, and the gospel brunch on select Sundays is one of the most praiseworthy events in town. Can we get a hallelujah?

House of Blues is an intimate venue that hosts touring musical acts and serves dressed-up Southern-style fare.