2610 Best Bars in USA

Follow the retro neon sign to the music scene you've been waiting for. Bringing a long-awaited sophisticated rock music and dining venue to Harvard Square, The Sinclair's adventurous, near-nightly lineup of indie rock—with enticing flings into world, electronica, and jazz—often sells out. Its adjacent but quite separate restaurant and bar, with wanderlusty train and highway decor, a serious beverage list, creative mixology, and cuisine inspired by regional Americana at on-site Brato, is proving to be a winning formula. Accommodating 500, here's a party made to order for transient, academic, and streetwise grown-ups.

Folk art meets gay pride meets sangria here at "Church" (as this popular dive bar is known), which has nun mannequins in full habit dangling from the ceiling and choir robes for patrons should the spirit move them. There's also an outdoor patio and a spacious second floor with a Ping-Pong table.

Pass through the swinging saloon doors into this Old West watering hole, originally built more than a century ago as the Hotel Sisters. Head to the bar, decorated with a mural of cancan dancers, weathered saddles hanging on the wall, and a mounted stuffed buffalo head. The menu remains rooted in ranch favorites but gets updated with vegetarian-friendly offerings. Locals and visitors rub shoulders at regular live music and comedy shows; for a true Wild West experience, show up on a Wednesday to participate in the saloon's weekly Texas Hold'em poker tournament.

With its European-café vibe and excellent mixed drinks, the Sitting Room lures residents of both the lower and upper parts of Queen Anne. It's quite an accomplishment to get those two very different demographics to agree on anything, but this sweet, relaxed little spot has done it with its eclectic furniture, zinc bar, sexy lighting, and friendly staff.

Guests can ski straight to the back patio and firepit at this rollicking bar and grill. The Sitz hosts an event nearly every winter night under its spiral-painted ceiling, from game nights and trivia to nationally touring music acts.

This neighborhood brewery produces great beer, welcomes delicious food pop-ups, and hosts events like trivia and local music nights. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Skeet Hawk makes for a relaxing stop during a walk or a bike ride on the Greenway.

Marina views are among the many charms of this fun place in the heart of Key Largo. Sit outside under the tiki, in a brightly colored Adirondack chair by the firepits, or inside amid driftwood walls and prize catches. No matter: what you'll remember is the fresh, everything-made-in-house food.

A reimagined version of a past Printers Alley staple, Skull’s Rainbow Room serves classic entrées like steaks and chops, ready to be washed down with a boozy blend from their classic cocktail list. Taking center stage alongside food and drink at this dimly lit yet swanky lounge is the entertainment, alternating between live jazz and live burlesque performances.

This bar 19 stories above the city offers nearly 360-degree bird's-eye views of Diamond Head, the Waikiki beaches, and the classic coral Royal Hawaiian hotel. It’s also one of the best spots to take in a Waikiki sunset. Be sure to order the popular SkyTai cocktail as you enjoy the views. There are also happy hour drink specials daily and a limited menu with fresh seafood. The indoor club, where resident DJs spin on Friday and Saturday nights, exudes contemporary-L.A. chic.

This beautiful poolside bar is well worth a visit, but it can be a hassle to get into if you're not staying at the hotel, on the guest list, or know someone who can pull strings. The drinks are on the pricier side, but in this part of town that's to be expected, and the views might just make it all worthwhile.

Head up to the 64th floor of the W Las Vegas for the 180-degree views of the city inside Skyfall Panoramic Bar & Lounge. Everything up here is higher, including the prices for craft cocktails. Around sunset the crowds can become unbearable, but later in the evening, when live DJs play tunes (on Friday and Saturday), the vibe is chill. Be sure to step into the bathrooms for a different view of the city while you relieve yourself.

A vintage-style poolroom is just one reason to stop by the beloved Skylark Lounge, which counts live music, pinball machines, comfortable seating, and friendly staffers among its many charms.

Nothing will raise your thirst like considering the former occupants of this very cool 1880s jailhouse-turned-craft-beer bar, complete with a cell door, jailhouse knickknacks, and stone walls. It's perfectly situated on Main Street, and the friendly owners, excellent beer selection, and more than 100 American whiskies attract a lively crowd to the large bar and the large outdoor patio.

You can catch small indie bands, DJs, and local acts at this concert space that also doubles as a coffee shop in the morning and a beer garden (with dozens of options on draft) in the afternoon and evening. 

Manhattan's preeminent venue for burlesque, magic, and the \"circus arts,\" has been showcasing the city's talented performers since 1999 and it's still going strong. Some shows have reserved seating, with a two-drink minimum, others are general admission, and the intimate space seats about 200 over two floors. Bring dollar bills to tip the performers.

With its giant dance floor, craft cocktails, and dim, red-hue lighting, Slippery Slope has brought a cool, clubby vibe to Logan Square. (It gets bonus points for the Skee-Ball machines located next to the door.) This place gets especially crowded on the weekends, when the dancing gets serious.

With drink specials and fun events throughout the week—like carnivals and parties with lawn games and goldfish races—and an occasionally raucous post-college crowd, this place has been compared with the Jersey Shore. With its beachfront location and ocean views, it's got a laid-back beach-party vibe and frequently has live bands. The food (lunch and dinner) gets high marks.

Of all the sports bars in Wrigleyville, Sluggers is perhaps the most famous. It's always packed before and after Cubs home games (and the ballplayers make occasional appearances in summer). Sluggers has a little bit of everything, including 40 TVs, fast- and slow-pitch batting cages, Skee-Ball, pool tables, air-hockey tables, electronic basketball, arcade games, and even a dueling-pianos show on the weekends. 

Located in the historic Electric Light Building dating from 1895, this brewery features a large rotating tap list of staples like the Road to Wisdom Hazy IPA alongside occasional live entertainment. The Anaconda Taco Company serves tacos and smash burgers every day during the summer and on weekends during the winter. Exposed brick, stained-glass windows, and the large mirrored bar are reminiscent of the saloons that would have served smelter workers during Anaconda's manufacturing heyday.

Wilbert "Smiley" Menard operates this popular 1950s-style dance hall. On Sunday afternoons from 2 to 6 pm, an older crowd fills the dance floor, gliding to a live band in the way that only the elder generation of Cajun dancers seems to have mastered.

Polished downtown Manhattanites sip quality libations at this tiny gem of a gin mill, where mixologists dispense elixirs (and oysters) from a handsome bar. There are cozy table nooks for couples, and although the small bites are worth a visit, locals come here late when a craft-cocktail craving hits.

Smith's Olde Bar schedules different kinds of talent, both local and regional, in its acoustically fine performance space. Food is available in the downstairs restaurant. Covers vary depending on the act, but are usually $5 to $15.

At this uniquely New Orleanian dive bar with a painted beer advertisement in the front, drinks are cheap and red Christmas lights are strewn year-round. The crowd mostly consists of upperclassmen college students and young professionals, as well as a friendly bar dog or two.

Locals head to happy hour at Snake River Brewing for cold pints and pub fare. Avoid the loud chatter levels by nabbing a sought-after seat on the picnic-table patio.

Live music with rock-and-roll leanings makes the Snake River Saloon a good spot to stop for a beer. The fun-loving crowd spans all ages.

For more than 20 years, this has been the place to watch top comedians perform every Friday and Saturday.

This bustling Old Town brewpub with a large patio overlooking the Snoqualmie River is renowned for its craft beers, including the heady Steam Train porter and refreshing Solar Crush blood-orange hefeweizen. The kitchen prepares an array of sandwiches and pizzas.