2610 Best Bars in USA

A departure from the typical Wrigleyville sports bar, this modern public house draws Anglophiles thirsty for a well-poured pint and contemporary takes on classic English pub fare, such as shepherd's pie with stout-braised lamb and fish-and-chips with malt vinegar aioli. (The bar's name is British slang for "guys and girls.") Friday and Saturday nights, sing your heart out in its karaoke lounge.

John Lee Hooker's old haunt has been an old-school blues haven for years, attracting top-notch acts from all around the country. Luck out with legendary masters like James "Super Chikan" Johnson, or discover new blues and funk artists.

You can choose from hundreds of bottled and draft brews—including high-gravity beers—along with some very good burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Upstairs, the popular Belgian beer bar is cavelike and cramped but worth it for the selection.

With an enormous patio overlooking the Chicago River, this bar attracts both the after-work crowd and tourists searching for the quintessential city view. Order a burger or bratwurst and watch the boats docking barside. Off-season visitors can take refuge inside the cozy lounge with stone walls and wood paneling.

This spacious, popular venue connected with Paradise offers bands nightly, some open to all ages, often double bills.

If you want a water view with your brew, head to this spot east of Jack London Square and enjoy a bretzel and obatzda (a soft German pretzel with Bavarian cheese dip), a selection of local wurst, or some Wiener schnitzel with your German or Belgian beer.

The late Buck Owens is Bakersfield's local boy made good, and this venue is a combination nightclub, restaurant, souvenir store, and country music memorabilia showcase. Country-and-western entertainers perform here, as Owens himself did countless times. A dance floor beckons patrons who can still twirl after sampling the menu of steaks, burgers, nachos, and gooey desserts.

Bull & Bear amps up the testosterone, with a dual focus on sports—the bar's name references two Chicago sports teams—and the stock market. Reserve one of five booths with built-in beer taps (you pay by the ounce), or grab a seat at the bar and catch the game on one of several flat-screen TVs.

For a real taste of New Orleans, drop by on a Thursday night, when Kermit Ruffins is playing. Not just the soul of the city, but the soul food, too, emerges as Kermit and friends serve up their famous barbecue and fixin's in between sets. Featured in the HBO series Treme, Bullet's has become something of a New Orleans hot spot, but remember that if the neighborhood around the bar looks a little scary, that's because it is a little scary. Use caution when traveling here, but be prepared for a warm and welcoming musical experience when you arrive.

This small, old-school joint draws a crowd on Monday for jazz by Corey Henry and Friends (and free red beans and rice), and local brass bands most other nights of the week. Uncle Lionel Batiste, a club fixture of legendary proportions, has sadly passed away, but the lively music and local atmosphere are still the same. We recommend taking a cab out here.

The upstairs pub–-dismantled in England, shipped to Boston, and reassembled–-later became the inspiration for the now-classic TV series Cheers. Enjoy a quality burger at the model bar of the Hollywood set and imagine Sam and Diane walking in the door and calling your name. You'll find many a tourist in Cheers, but locals tend to stay away to avoid the crowds.

The springtime Chicago Improv Festival, the nation's largest festival for improvisers, has stages devoted to group, pair, and single improv; sketch comedy; and more.

The biggest dance club in Boystown is a stripped-down hall energized by flashing lights, booming sounds, and a partying crowd. Take a break in the up-front martini bar.

Everyone's welcome at Citizen Bar, a sleek space with exposed brick walls and traditional bar fare. But the real draw is the huge, multilevel outdoor area—it's one of the city's most coveted spots come summer.

Even restaurant and nightlife mogul Stephen Starr had to start somewhere—the Continental was his very first restaurant, and it continues to be one of his most popular. The retro-fied former diner draws an interesting crowd, a mix of energetic twentysomethings and longtime regulars. The design, featuring lots of stainless steel and campy lighting fixtures, goes well with the martini-driven cocktail list and global small-plates menu.

The Portland branch of the Bend-based Deschutes Brewery typically has more than 25 beers on tap, including nationally acclaimed mainstays Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Inversion IPA, and Black Butte Porter, plus seasonal and experimental brews. There's an extensive menu of well-prepared pub fare, too.

For vestiges of the old Rush Street, continue north to Division Street, between Clark and State. The watering holes here are crowded and noisy, and the clientele consists mostly of suburbanites and out-of-towners on the make. Among the better-known singles' bars are Butch McGuire's, the Lodge, and Original Mother's.

Double Door is a hotbed for music in Wicker Park. The large bar books up-and-coming local and national acts from rock to acid jazz. Unannounced Rolling Stones shows have been held here. Door No. 3, a lounge with a speakeasy theme, occupies the basement.

Steeped in history and serving Yankee classics like roast beef rib and Indian pudding since 1828, Durgin-Park is mostly visited by tourists looking to see some old-time Boston character. Happy hour brings in Faneuil Hall 9-to-5ers looking for cheap beer and snacks, like the $3 hot dog and fries.

Nestled in a bamboo forest draped in bougainvillea and flowering vines and hidden from view off the Kuhio Highway is a charming little venue where local musicians perform most evenings. Previously known as Caffé Coco, it now offers vegan fare, including pupu (appetizers), entrées, and desserts. It may not have a liquor license, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the entertainment in a pleasant outdoor setting; just bring your own wine or beer. It's open Tuesday through Saturday until 9.

Close to the Decatur MARTA station, this bar and restaurant is a good spot for catching local and some national rock, folk, and country-music acts. Cover charges typically range from $5 to $20.

With two homey, hipster-endorsed cafés in Northeast, Extracto holds its own against some of Portland's top roasters, thanks to its knowledgeable staff, careful bean selection, and small-batch roasting. There are two outposts on different ends of the Alberta Arts District the other is at 1465 N.E. Prescott Street.

A must-see spectacular, this Hollywood Studios 25-minute special-effects blockbuster is held after dark in a packed 6,900-seat amphitheater (often with an additional 3,000 guests standing). Between music, lasers, and fireworks, Mickey Mouse emcees among an all-star cast of characters from new films and old to take on sinister villains in a fiery finish that dazzles audiences every night.

Crowds of cool Allston students and greater Boston music fans rock hard until closing at Great Scott, which books an impressive lineup of local and visiting indie rock bands (from 9 pm) in live double and triple bills on a varying rotation nearly every night.

The longest-running show at Disney has hardly changed over the decades. The beloved Pioneer Hall Players—a group of Wild West singers, dancers, and comedians—perform romantic ballads, corny tunes, and slapstick. It's old-fashioned family fun you'll sing and clap along to while chowing down on barbecued ribs, fried chicken, corn on the cob, strawberry shortcake, and all the fixin's. Unlimited beverages include beer, wine, and sangria. Tickets are available up to 180 days in advance so plan as far ahead as possible.

Beer lovers appreciate the 36 craft brews on tap at this oceanfront restaurant, with dining downstairs and another bar upstairs that features live music and dancing. It's always busy with young local revelers. Humpy's food can be hit or miss, but it's great for late-hour grill items. Happy-hour specials are available weekdays 3 to 6, and the bar stays open until 2 am.

The wine bar at Ristorante Panorama, a polished northern Italian restaurant in the Penn's View Inn, stands out for its staggering vino selection—more than 150 wines are available by the glass, thanks to a cruvinet preservation system touted as the largest in the world. Other oenophile hooks include "Wine Wednesday" specials and personalized flights.

Originally called the Box for its giant cube-shape interior, this off-the-beaten-path music venue showcases rock, heavy metal, folk, soul, reggae, hip-hop, and even comedy acts. There's a big dance floor.