2610 Best Bars in USA

This intimate tri-level music venue in a former mayonnaise factory has excellent acoustics, drawing in die-hard fans of rock and indie music with its quality lineups. There's balcony seating and an additional bar upstairs.

A lively crowd packs the cool booths at this self-described "big-world diner," an old-school hangout on bar-lined 21st Avenue. Stop in before a movie at Cinema 21 next door for well-poured cocktails, globally inspired small plates, and daily happy hour.

Billing itself as the city's "most diverse ladies' bar," this lesbian club, called MSR for short, brings the party with hip-hop, DJs, and karaoke.

The only gay bar in New Orleans that's also attached to a large hotel, this narrow space is in the heart of St.-Ann-and-Bourbon gay central; it's a must-visit during the annual Southern Decadence festival. The comfy sofas and handsome bartenders are a plus, and the crowd tends to be a bit dressier than at similar venues.

This baroque Paris piano bar can get loud, but it's all good fun. Free music flows Thursday through Sunday from 7 pm to 2 am; tip the dueling piano players well if you really want to hear your favorite song. Creative cocktails include the Banana Split Martini and Godiva chocolate–based Midnight in Paris, and cigar lovers can enjoy a smoke in the exclusive lounge area.

An upscale alternative to Juneau's somewhat rowdy bar scene, The Narrows is the best place in the city to enjoy a quiet, carefully prepared craft cocktail. In addition to its association with Southeast waterways, the bar's name reflects the shape of the space—long and skinny—and its exposed brick walls, fireplace, and leather couches in back add to the intimate vibe.

Located on lively South Elm Street, this tavern keeps a dozen beers on tap, including several that it brews in-house. The bar food here's done right, including the potato chips and a generous tuna steak. Upstairs is a sports bar with pool tables. In nice weather, you can sit on the patio along the main drag.

The dozen or so venues that compose this complex dominate the West Bank of the Flats.

Reggae fans—and, really, any music fans—should pay attention to the event calendar at Nectar Lounge. The club regularly hosts big-name stars of the genre, while also mixing in hip-hop, pop, rock, bluegrass, world music, and other forms. The narrow floor can be tough to navigate on crowded evenings, but the outdoor patio with views of the stage provides some relief for patrons who want to relax while they enjoy the show.

Jam band Phish got its start at Nectar's, which is always jumping to the sounds of local and touring bands, stand-up comics, and a popular weekly trivia night. Don't leave without a helping of the bar's famous fries and gravy.

Neighbors has long been a popular bar in the west Nashville neighborhood of Sylvan Park, and in 2018 Germantown got its own outpost of the friendly watering hole. Located in close proximity to Germantown restaurants and to First Horizon Park, Neighbors is a great spot to pre-game before a Sounds game, toast to a good meal, or post up to watch the Nashville Predators.

An authentic neighborhood hangout as the name suggests, Neighbors is the spot in Sylvan Park to watch a game, hear some live music, and enjoy cheap beer on either their front patio or covered back deck. On the deck is where they smoke meats for sandwiches, quesadillas, loaded nachos, and more.

This popular sports bar with a gay following makes everyone feel welcome. Catch the games on multiple screens, or try your luck with "drag bingo" or trivia games. Spaces in this eclectic two-story venue range from roof deck to cozy pub room to a dining area serving all-American pub grub–meets–Venezuelan specialties, from empanadas to arepas. Every weekend brings a reservations-required brunch buffet with drag queens as servers.

One of the grunge era's iconic clubs (then named Moe's) has managed to reclaim its status as a staple of the Seattle rock scene. And it is a great rock venue: acoustics are excellent, and the roster of cutting-edge indie rock bands is one of the best in the city. Their intimate downstairs venue, Barboza, often brings in great lesser-known acts.

The taproom of the fourth-largest brewer of craft beer in the United States offers an exceptional lineup featuring beers from the iconic Belgian Collection and brands such as Fat Tire and Voodoo Ranger IPA, as well as special-release small-batch brews. Events include live music, bike-in movies, and yoga with beer. During the day, bikes crowd the racks outside this pedal-friendly brewery, where visitors can sample a variety of brews and take a free 45-minute tour. These popular tours are first come, first served, so reserve online. The brewery is north of Old Town, near Cache la Poudre River and its popular trail system.

In the skeleton of a classic Chinese-American dive bar, chef Mark Fuller created his own spin on the genre. Under the low lights and a ceiling of red lanterns, bartenders serve pink guava palomas and passion fruit caipirinhas. There's Skee-ball, karaoke, and pinball, and a menu with twists on General Tso's chicken and honey pecan prawns.

The New Vegas Lounge may be a vestige from a grittier, less affluent era, but the Logan Circle club is in its nearly fifth decade of offering live blues every weekend. Vegas Lounge is run by the wife and sons of its late founder, known as Dr. Blues. Friday- and Saturday-night performances by the house ensemble, the Out of Town Blues Band, attract an eclectic crowd, from veteran blues fans to newer residents who don't know from Muddy Waters—drawn to the club out of sheer curiosity, or because it's a refreshing cultural and historical diversion in the neighborhood.

To its devoted Queen Village clientele, the New Wave is more than just the place to wait for a table at a nearby restaurant. The regulars come to this welcoming neighborhood bar to unwind with a local craft brew, play a game of darts, watch the game, or enjoy the oft-changing gastropub menu.

Local music lovers rejoiced when this Tampa institution reopened closer to Busch Gardens. In its new location, New World Brewery offers an expanded menu, a patio, and a separate space for concerts and special events. It's known for its stone-seared pizzas, a killer craft beer list, and an amazing line-up of musicians taking the stage.

New York Comedy Club revamped and rebranded this former Stand Up New York club in 2024 to make room for laughs on the Upper West Side, their third location in Manhattan. Head to this low-key club that lends a stage to both aspiring comedians and veteran comics who pop in to polish their material. Catch a preshow drink in the front bar, then join the laughter in the back room for the price of a ticket (from $39 online) plus a $20 drink minimum. FYI to parents: the comedy showroom is open to guests 16 and up, as long as those under 18 are with a guardian. 

Housed in a former bank building built in 1892, this café hosts live music, including touring blues acts and tribute bands, plus improv comedy nights. Wallflowers can watch the bands from the second floor, but the real action is on the dance floor in front of the stage.

Calling itself "the longest continually running rock club In America," Newport Music Hall has featured artists including Todd Rundgren, the Indigo Girls, U2, David Bowie, B. B. King, Tom Petty, Metallica, and Smashing Pumpkins. It's housed in the old State Theater north of the Short North.

In an intimate red-lit space on Frankford Ave, Next of Kin serves classic and modern cocktails that are perfect for date nights and group hangs. Their menu is split into familiar and unfamiliar sections, but drinks are strong, well-made and go down easy.

The motto is “Keep it nice, take it easy,” and that is 100 percent the vibe at this laid-back cocktail bar that also serves up classic Texas bar snacks. If you haven’t tried Frito Pie or chips and queso, with an agave or sotol cocktail, you’ve been missing out and now is your chance. The ambience is relaxed, the interior features a nice and easy decor, and there are a few comfortable tables out front. Open until 10 pm or midnight, it's a great way to spend a chill evening.

Nick's Beer Garden is a neighborhood favorite, especially in the wee hours (it's open until 4 am; 5 am Saturday). Kitschy tropical decor—think palm trees, flamingos, and a surfboard—adds to the appeal.

Boston's oldest comedy club has been yukking it up since 1977 (Jay Leno reportedly got his start here). The smallish venue features a full bar and local and touring stand-up comedians; all shows are 18 and over.

Jazz, blues, country, and reggae musicians perform at grungy Nietzsche's in Allentown. There's a show most nights.

Indulge in craft and vintage cocktails at the Granada Hotel's artsy cocktail lounge, decked out in velvet, mirrored ceilings, and marble tables and countertops.