America knows how to throw a great party, but the type of partying varies from state to state. From two-stepping in Nashville to sexy salsa in Miami, here are our pick of the places for the best nightlife in the US.
1. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is a mecca of live music. With its honky-tonk bars and musical stars, this city hits all the right notes for a great night out. Nashville is one of the best places in the US if you are into live music and singer/songwriter sessions; it is also one of the best places to dance the night away to some good old-fashioned country music. The best place for an all-night dance marathon is Broadway. The strip is a huge thoroughfare of neon-lit bars, pubs, and clubs. Head to the aptly named Honky Tonk Highway for a stretch of live music venues and embrace the Nashville way.
2. Miami, Florida
If you’re looking for a party in Florida, you’ve come to the right place. The Sunshine State is full of fun, vibrant, and exciting cities where a good night out is guaranteed. You’ll find raucous Floridian party towns across the state, but our top pick is Miami. Miami is famously flashy and trendy, with a booming nightlife. Sip cocktails on the many classy rooftop bars that overlook the glittering city, or dance the night away in an underground club. From the mega clubs of South Beach to the hip warehouse scene in Wynwood and Downtown, there’s something for everyone here.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is synonymous with a good time. And its wild and wide variety of nightlife takes in shows, clubs, pool parties, and casinos. The city actually has the second most bars per capita in the world (Prague takes the top spot). Want to let your hair down? The city’s vast array of bars and clubs is the perfect place to do that. The best place to check out is the Las Vegas Strip, where hundreds of nightlife venues exist. Just remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
4. New York City, New York
New York’s nightlife scene is diverse, fun, and buzzing. There are over 600 clubs and bars across all five boroughs, so make sure you wear your dancing shoes. Head to Soho for a night of bar hopping, and head to Brooklyn for some brilliant breweries. You’ll find excellent drag shows in the West Village, and the East Village is where you’ll find some of the trendiest nightclubs. It is no surprise that New York City is one of the coolest places for nightlife in the US. It’s huge, dynamic, unique, and exciting.
5. San Diego, California
San Diego is a great nightlife city on the West Coast due to its unique vibe and iconic Gaslamp District. The district comprises 16 blocks brimming with over 180 restaurants, 50 bars, and 10 nightclubs. Rooftop bars offer insane views over the city and the beach, while jazz clubs welcome you to whittle the night away, nursing a cocktail. It is also one of our favourite cities for beach parties.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a great party destination all year round, not just for its Mardis Gras celebrations. It’s a vibrant city full of live music and dancing. Throw in the mix some excellent bars and cool cocktails, and it’s not hard to see why it’s one of the most fun places for nightlife in the US. With bars staying open 24-hour bars, you can party any time of the day and night. We love partying in the pretty French Quarter especially along Bourbon Street with its jazz bars, smoky cocktail joints, and gumbo spots.
7. San Antonio, Texas
There are lots to see and do in San Antonio when the sun goes down. The most popular and lively spot is the River Walk. This is a 24km (15-mile) network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River. As you walk, lush subtropical plants, cypress trees, and flowers provide a very pretty backdrop for the bars and restaurants that line the paths. Looking for the best views over the city? Hotfoot it to Paramour in the Museum District. This rooftop bar is open all day long, though most people arrive in time for sunset and stay ’til late. There are 20 signature cocktails on the menu, which are sure to get your night off to a good start.
