2610 Best Bars in USA

The house may always win, but this casino doesn't take itself too seriously. It is, after all, a place where once upon a time you were able to play tic-tac-toe against a live chicken. Such gimmicks may be gone, but with the addition of "The Quarter" entertainment complex, the Caribbean-themed hotel is welcoming guests to sing karaoke at the gleefully gaudy Planet Rose, pause for some laughs at The Comedy Stop, and disco dance at Boogie Nights. There's also an IMAX theater that showcases spectacular documentaries and the latest 3D Hollywood blockbusters. Sure, some things are a bit out of place—is that a Soviert-themed restaurant with a statue of Lenin in the middle of Old Havana? But it's all in good fun. For those who take their poker seriously, the casino has one of the better rooms in Atlantic City.

At Trunks Bar, the drinks are strong and so are the bartenders; see for yourself as these shirtless muscly men pour your drinks. Open for more than 25 years, the space is welcoming and the staff is friendly. People come here often to watch a game, play pool, listen to music, and meet friends.

Within this large industrial building in a quiet neighborhood south of town, you'll find a lively gathering place that hosts regular live music acts, DJs, and more. Families can take advantage of the large outdoor area for kids to play and there is plenty of space for large groups inside the building. Also inside you'll find some of the region's best scratch-made beers and spirits, from Juicy IPA and Honey Hibiscus Wheat to gin and whiskey crafted with local ingredients. Pub fare is available from the on-site kitchen as well as several food trucks that rotate regularly. On busy weekends, it can get pretty crowded and the line for a drink can have you waiting a while so arrive early to enjoy a cocktail before the place starts jumping.

Housed in the former music shop of John C. Tupper and Lawrence Reed, this cocktail haven presents a symphony of carefully crafted libations, which are mixed with live music performed by local musicians. The historic 1925 building features a balcony bar, cozy nooks, antique fixtures, a pool table, and romantic fireplaces.

As one of the few true late-night supper clubs in San Diego, Turf is often bustling until last call every night of the week. The somewhat gritty, old-timey interior harkens back to the 1950s, but the only cloud of smoke hovering around the dim lights and vinyl booths comes from the communal grill rather than Marlboros. Grill your own steak, order a martini, and enjoy a San Diego institution.

The motorcycles and vintage photographs at this downtown watering hole pay homage to nearby 11-turn Laguna Seca Raceway. The large-screen TVs, heated outdoor patio, happy-hour specials, and live entertainment keep the place jumpin' into the wee hours.

Long a bastion of live music, the Turning Point specializes in jazz, blues, and folk, and attracts big names on occasion, such as Arlo Guthrie, Bela Fleck, Joan Osborne, and more. There's also the occasional comedy night. Seating is general admission; tickets are usually $15–$35, depending on the act.

This cool, cozy, and delightfully Italian wine cellar is an ideal place to escape the crowds. You can order from among 200 varieties of wine; switch things up with a cold beer; and complement either with a small-plate selection of meats, cheeses, calamari, and desserts. Wine flights from around Italy are also offered (ask your server for their favorite). The adjoining Tutto Italia sit-down restaurant is the only one in Walt Disney World that doesn't take reservations, but if you're willing to wait 20 or 30 minutes, you can usually get a table. Entrées include gnocchi, lasagne alla Bolognese, and pan-seared salmon in herb sauce. Although smaller kids might not be thrilled with the adult ambience or food, there is a kids' menu with options like mozzarella sticks and spaghetti.

This neighborhood joint might be off the beaten path, but it's worth the trip for its unlikely combination of an innovative cocktail menu, tasty pop-up food concepts, and weekly events that range from vinyl record-fueled dance parties to Taylor Swift trivia to karaoke extravaganzas. Cocktail aficionados will come for some of the best in the city, but compared to other excellent cocktail bars, Twelve Mile Limit offers something a little more relaxed, and prices reflect that down-home vibe.

Ready to show off your inner pop diva? Karaoke every night of the week is the main draw at Twenty First Ave. Open until 2:30 am, this dive has dimly lighted booth seating and an expansive garden patio and outdoor bar.

Serving a roster of well-crafted ales along with tasty comfort food (flatbread pizzas, burgers), this beer-centric compound occupies a handsome 1850s restored barn with a large tented beer garden.

TWIST is a gay institution in South Beach, having been the late-night go-to place for decades, filling to capacity around 2 am after the beach's fly-by-night bars and more established lounges begin to die down (though it's open daily from 1 pm to 5 am). There's never a cover here—not even on holidays or during gay-pride events—and there are a whopping seven different bars and dance floors spread over two levels and patios.

Head to this watering hole for pub food a cut above the usual, plus local microbrews on tap in the sports-friendly bar. Look closely at the dollar bills pasted to the ceiling: there's even a marriage proposal up there, along with the answer.

Fancy some great fish-and-chips (and apple ’slaw) along with your crisp cold beer (local and international, draft or bottle)? Two Fools is the place: convivial, fun, and lively. The food (a wide array of Irish standards plus some New Mexican ones and salads, too) is no afterthought here; it’s all good, as is the impressively deep list of whiskies. Imbibe the best, with a fine selection from Scotland, Ireland, and even the United States.

Choose from a wide selection of sake and sake-based cocktails in a space designed to look like someone shoehorned a real izakaya (a sake house that also serves substantial snacks) into a Belltown building—there's even an enclosed patio and a tatami room that can be reserved for larger parties. The sushi is good, and there's a very long happy hour offered at one of the bar areas. Umi is less of a meat market than some Belltown spots—unless you're here late on a Friday or Saturday night.

Craft distilleries are popular in Southeast, and Ketchikan's—housed in a former firehouse near the docks—highlights everything good about the enterprise. It's locally owned, distinctive, and welcoming, and the drinks featuring several varieties of gin and vodka are superb. As with all of Alaska's distilleries, there's a two-drink limit. 

A fun find for LGBTQ+ travelers and allies, Uncle Charlie's is a second-floor haven for happy hours, piano singalongs, and quiet breaks on the back outdoor patio. It's a casual scene with flirty regulars and attentive bartenders pouring 'til the wee hours (from 4 pm to 4 am nightly). The daily happy hour special consists of $2 off any cocktail or spirit, from 4 to 8 pm, and open-mic night happens from 8 pm to 2 am daily except Sunday.

This subterranean dance club has dropped the quasi-military underground bunker theme it once sported, but it still attracts celebs, international DJs, and the clientele that follows both.

Since it's part of The Mob Museum, you may wish to think of The Underground as an immersive and interactive exhibit on Prohibition-era speakeasies. Memorabilia from the 1920s abounds. Period music plays all night long. But it also functions as a working bar, with hand-crafted cocktails, drink specials, and serious bartender sass. There’s even a distillery in a back room—The Underground distills and serves its own special-edition moonshine, and visitors can take guided tours. Admission to the museum gets you in for free, but if you aren’t visiting the museum, check the bar’s Instagram account for the nightly password to give the bouncer at the back door. And be sure to check out some of the secret meeting rooms; one is hidden behind a big painting.

Throw darts, shoot pool, or play shuffleboard at this British pub (its name refers to London's subway system), or watch a game on one of the many monitors. The adjacent Fox and Farrow gastropub is run by one of the co-owners, but the in-house pub menu is surprisingly extensive.

Unexpected Productions Improv, adjacent to Pike Place Market, hosts tons of different improv events; shows may have holiday or seasonal themes or be done in the style of a certain TV or film genre like sci-fi or noir. On Friday and Saturday at 10:30, the troupe presents the long-running "TheatreSports" show, in which the skits are based entirely on audience suggestions.

Welcome to the carnival... or at least the carnival-themed bar. Walking in feels like ducking into a flamboyant, chaotic big top: striped blue walls, an elaborate bar with plenty of flashing lights, arrows overhead, and an assortment of taxidermied animal heads. The drinks stay on theme, with plenty of colors and names like "Unicorn Jizz," "Capri Sun," and "The Cereal Killer," while the food goes all-in on childhood nostalgia. Corn dogs, chicken nuggets, and meatballs masquerading as "Unicorn Balls," hold down the savory side, while desserts include funnel cake and fruity fried ice cream. Narwhal, a sibling bar in the same location, holds events throughout the week, including karaoke on Monday and drag queen bingo on Tuesday.

Big, young, fun, and modern, it can sometimes feel like you need to be beautiful to get in here, just based on the crowds packing the indoor bar, dance floor, and outdoor patio. From the service to the security, everything here is super friendly and professional, leaving the crowd to relax and keep the party going, which it does almost every hour that this spot is open. Great DJs fill the dance floors, and partiers can take breaks at the firepits in front.

This cheery, modern industrial–designed spot is truly wonderful and refreshingly casual. The excellent list of wines by the glass is always impressive. Nicely composed small plates, cheese, and house-made charcuterie are worthy companions to all the Chardonnay and Zinfandel.

A former pool supply store is now a funky multiroom venue, complete with a bar serving beer and simple cocktails, a photo booth, DJs, and a backroom for up-and-coming music acts. It's been around for over two decades, and is still a popular spot on the Friday-night circuit, especially for late-night revelry. Permanently parked in its walled outdoor patio is a taco truck.

Three dining rooms and two bars twist through this 200-year-old building. Although it's also a restaurant, come late for a beer in the busy main bar or chat with friends in the cozy Oyster Bar area.

A former train station and restaurant converted into a haven for live music, Union Transfer might be Philly's best pound-for-pound place to catch a show. The spacious layout, impressive booking, and incredible sound make for an easygoing, one-of-a-kind concert experience.

One of Manchester's hot spots, this part underground, part aboveground pub and restaurant offers lots of space, a sleek green-marble bar, craft beer, a pool table, and tasty classics with all the fixings.

The 30th-floor penthouse rooftop lounge atop The Kimberly Hotel offers cocktails amid aerial views of Midtown Manhattan year-round. You may even catch a glimpse of the Chrysler Building, and can opt to sip on a drink named for the famous Art Deco skyscraper itself. A selection of small plates round out the rest of the menu, with such popular orders as charcuterie or cheese boards and Kobe beef sliders. A retractable glass ceiling, heated floors, and outdoor fireplace make this bar perfect for any season.