2629 Best Bars in USA

You may have heard of the infamous Clermont Lounge, a strip club unlike any other, but the women who rule the roost at this local landmark are older and sassier. On Saturday nights the dance floor opens up and the DJ plays old-school disco, funk, pop, and R&B. The well drinks are strong, and the clientele is cool—all making for a very entertaining night out in Atlanta.

This establishment characterizes the craft cocktail movement with its "farm-to-shaker" seasonal selection of creative concoctions. The bar showcases exposed brick walls and wooden beams inside its lounge areas, though warm evenings are best spent outside on the rooftop patio. Inside, some of Charleston's best bartenders muddle and shake clever mixtures like the Dad Bod (Demerara rum, rye whiskey, Falernum, grenadine, and lime) and the Double Standard (a blend of serrano pepper--infused gin and cucumber vodka).

One of New Orleans's most traditional drinking experiences, enjoy an Old Fashioned or a Sazerac here on the expansive front porch, shaded by centuries-old oak trees and overlooking the St. Charles Avenue streetcar route. Built in 1883 as a private home, the Columns has been the scene of TV ads, movies, and plenty of weddings. The interior scenes of Louis Malle's Pretty Baby were filmed here. The Victorian Lounge, with its restored period decor and a fireplace, has a decaying elegance that transports you to a previous era. There's a great happy hour, too, and a fantastic live jazz trio plays here most Monday nights.

An outpost of the original hipster haunt in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, this Avenue C spot has all the diversions to make you stay here for longer than you had planned: classic cocktails, with an emphasis on the tropical variety; retro tunes on the hi-fi; plush comfy booths; and a menu of excellent feel-good fare, including the legendary mountain of nachos, gooey mac and cheese, and some of the best fried chicken this side of the Mason-Dixon line. 

Known for their addictively refreshing frozen piña coladas, Connolly's is a favorite for locals and travelers alike for good reason. They host plenty of specialty nights, like trivia night, which usually is on Monday, with a variety of topics. Wacky Wednesday is always a good time with drink specials and a DJ. If piña coladas aren't your thing, try their frozen pink lemonade or frozen mudslide. Frozen drinks run $11 a pop, with the option for a boozy floater for an additional dollar. Note that Connolly's closes to the public from January to the Friday of Memorial Day, but they're open year-round for private party bookings.

This is an authentic Austin original—and one of the city's signature live music hubs, drawing a hard-drinking, music-loving crowd every night of the week. The club hosts a variety of live acts but specializes in country-infused rock, like local favorite James McMurtry, and the laid-back dance floor is perfect for swinging. The "gallery" stage upstairs is another great space to catch an intimate show. Expect an even more robust lineup here during SXSW.

This recent addition to Cooper Landing's somewhat limited restaurant scene has fast become a huge hit, thanks its the inviting outdoor seating with spectacular views in every direction, and of course the excellent beer. No food is served on premises, but you can bring your own, and often there are great food trucks nearby. In summer, they host great live music concerts.

Part of the Central East Side's burgeoning wine scene, this urban winery and taproom is set inside a dramatic and spacious Quonset-hut structure, which was once home to an auto-repair shop. Order any of the outstanding wines produced on-site, or delve into the happily esoteric menu of unusual wines from all over the West Coast, with a few French varieties in the mix. The kitchen turns out seriously good food, too. The only drawback here is that Coopers Hall is closed to the public on weekends, when it's booked with events.

On weekends, the crowds can spill onto 14th Street—but one of the best wine bars in D.C. is worth the wait. An outstanding wine list (mainly French and Italian) is matched with delectable small plates, perfect for sharing.

This rollicking barbecue, burger, and Southwestern soul food joint is one of the most popular places in town for live blues, country, rock, folk, and even karaoke. The bar is friendly and reasonable drink prices provide bang for your buck. The kids' patio out back keeps little ones entertained, and the fun pool hall and central outdoor patio can get wild as the night gets late.

First-timers to this contemporary taproom on a lofty ridge 12 miles west of Yakima are usually as wowed by the mesmerizing mountain vistas as they are the lovingly crafted beers. The husband-and-wife proprietors are admitted hops admirers, and the IPA-forward beer selection reflects this penchant. On warm days have a seat on the family- and pet-friendly lawn and patio—there's often live music, and pub fare is served. 

The heart and soul of Seattle's music scene since 1991 has hosted the likes of the Beastie Boys, Pearl Jam, and Mudhoney, along with countless other bands. There's a reason Rolling Stone once called The Crocodile one of the best small clubs in America. Even now, in new, much larger digs (the main room has a 750-person capacity) not far from the original, The Croc retains its old-school Seattle vibe.

A favorite LGBTQ+ hangout in the Central East Side, Crush serves up tasty pub grub, strong cocktails, and DJ-fueled dance parties. The front section is mellow and good for conversation, while the back area contains a small but lively dance floor, and there's a large sidewalk patio as well.

Under new ownership since 2023, dba remains a leading music venue on Frenchmen Street. The selection of drinks—including international and craft beers on tap, bourbons and scotches, and obscure tequilas, all listed on chalkboards above the bar—is reason enough to visit. Live music most nights and the Marigny's best people-watching in a narrow cypress-lined room make it a neighborhood favorite.

Bands play in the living room of this historic house, though much of the action is outdoors on the lawn in fair weather, where huge trees and lanterns make it a fun stop for drinks or a group night out. It's a place where those who don't drink will also feel comfortable, however, and excellent gourmet nibbles are a huge bonus (a full dinner menu is available, too). A bohemian, younger crowd gathers later, into the night.

For exquisite cocktails in a quintessentially old–New York locale, venture to the tip of Manhattan for a night of Irish hospitality in a 19th-century-inspired saloon. The ground-floor taproom serves craft beers and whiskeys of the world, while a warren of upstairs parlor spaces shakes and stirs craft cocktails, many putting Irish whiskey to excellent use. If the drink menu isn't doing the trick, challenge one of the ace bartenders to mix up something special for your palate. The Dead Rabbit is always lively and unpretentious, and isn't hung up on dress codes or door policies typical of some New York cocktail dens—though it's still a good idea to reserve a table. There's also a solid food menu built on Irish faves, guest chefs, and occasional live music.

Inventive cocktails, decadent bar bites, and a sultry, upscale atmosphere attract those with a thirst for finely crafted drinks at not completely outrageous prices. You can order classic cocktails, but this is the kind of place where you can try something new and inventive and know that the flavor profiles are spot on. All patrons are seated, so there can be a wait to get in, but the host outside will log your name and text when something opens up.

Touted as Austin's neighborhood beer joint since 1951, Deep Eddy is dive bar royalty, complete with cheap ice-cold brews, pool tables, and a killer jukebox. It even secured a designation as a historic site by the city of Austin in 2024, so this legendary tavern will be operating for a long time to come. Swing by for a Lone Star beer after an afternoon swim at Deep Eddy pool or stay late (open until 2 am).

The laid-back saloon at the Inn of the Governors serves casual fare even after most of the Downtown restaurants have closed. It also offers a full bar filled with local charm and plenty of characters. It has a laid-back vibe thanks to its old-fashioned Western decor and dark-wood paneling (warmed by the glow of a woodburning fireplace). It is a favorite of locals as well as visitors so it can fill up quickly during peak tourist season.

A long, slender room with plush banquettes in a charming sliver of a building on a busy stretch of St. Charles Avenue looks as if it were air-dropped straight from Paris. Offering a carefully chosen (and reasonably priced) selection of beer, spirits, and wines by the glass, the menu also includes upscale small plates, like goose-fat fried pommes frites served with a peanut satay and malt vinegar aioli.

Here’s a rooftop joint where you can cowboy (or cowgirl) up while eating tacos, learning to line dance, and belting out your favorite country western jams (Wednesday is karaoke night). Mirror-clad cowboy boots float above the dance floor, while cowhide covered chairs and mounted longhorns create a Wild West vibe. This glam honky-tonk prides itself on being a little bit country and a whole lotta Hollywood. 

Along a remote mining road in the Buckskin Mountains roughly midway between Lake Havasu City and Parker, the quirky Desert Bar, aka the Nellie E. Saloon, is one of the region's most fabled curiosities. It's only open on weekends and occasional holidays (noon–6), Labor Day through Memorial Day. This cash-only, solar-powered entertainment compound is a work in progress, comprising indoor and outdoor bars, a stage with live music throughout the day, a horseshoe pit, a covered footbridge, and a nondenominational church that's the occasional site of weddings.

Greenpointers flock to this favorite neighborhood bar, named after a play by Mae West, with speakeasy vibes, creative concoctions, and oysters served daily. Its dimly lit, art deco aesthetic sets the mood, whether you settle into a booth or cozy up to the bar, for seasonal cocktails categorized as either \"shaken\" or \"stirred.\" In the warmer months, the pleasant backyard is open for outdoor enjoyment.

With more than 120 wines by the glass (priced at a very reasonable markup) plus a noteworthy selection of 45 imported and craft beers as well as craft cocktails, this wine bar provides a sophisticated but low-key after-dark option in historic downtown Kingman. There's live music Wednesday through Saturday, and you can accompany your wine-sipping with food delivered from nearby local restaurants.

Tucked away in a basement on quiet Hudson Avenue, Dirty Laundry is a former speakeasy turned proper late night cocktail bar with live music and DJs spinning both fresh and throwback music. There’s beer on hand, but here, cocktails are king.

A hole-in-the-wall heaven, Donn's dance floor has attracted fans of Texas two-step, waltz, polka, honky-tonk, and swing since 1972. Tucked inside an old train car just west of downtown, the Christmas decor–laden interior of this aging Old Austin beauty is as charming as its weekly lineup of local musicians and popular beginner two-step lessons. Don't feel like dancing? Belly up to the bar for some cheap drinks and complimentary popcorn while you watch everyone else groove. Check their events calendar for an updated list of shows and special events.

All hail Victor Drai, classiest of Vegas nightlife sultans. The wild scene inside this after-hours titan is closer to a dance club or a rave than to a lounge, even though its four rooms with two music formats are as gorgeous as any lounge in town. The vibe of decadence can reach an extraordinary pitch, but this, of course, is exactly how an after-hours club should be, right? Besides, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful insider crowd anywhere within the city limits.