7 cities with the best nightlife in the US

Planning a trip to the United States? All 50 states have great nightlife, but each has its vibe and energy shaping the after-dark scenes. From two-stepping in Texas to sexy salsa in Florida, each place you go has a nightlife scene that’s unique to that area. However, if nightlife is on your list of priorities when planning a trip, knowing where to go will help narrow down your locations. Ready to party in the USA? Here is our pick of the cities with the best nightlife in the US.

7 cities with the best nightlife in the US

1. Austin, Texas

Austin bills itself as the Live Music Capital of the World. This means it tops almost every list of the best places in America for nightlife. Over 250 live music spots play host to all kinds of musical genres, not just country. There are many rock clubs, blues, jazz, hip-hop, punk, and Latino shows every night, going on until the early hours. There is a good concentration of venues downtown, but Sixth Street is where you’ll find a whole host of bars, pubs, and clubs within walking distance of each other.

2. Los Angeles, California

In LA, there’s always a party happening. With bars, clubs, comedy venues, live music spots, and more parties in the city run until the wee hours of the morning. Coming out of a club and catching a sunrise is a wonderful way to end your night. West Hollywood is where you can embrace Los Angeles’ thriving LGBTQIA+ scene, but all are welcome. Downtown LA is also popular, offering everything from salsa bars to live indie music venues. But, as one of the biggest cities in the US, there are so many neighbourhoods that offer up something different.

3. Daytona, Florida

The sunshine state is teeming with fun, vibrant cities where you can always find a good party. One such place is Daytona, famous for its wild Spring Break partygoers. MTV filmed its first-ever Spring Break special in Dayton. However, the city isn’t just for college students, there’s something for everyone. Along the strip on the beach, you’ll find lots of bars and pubs, some selling excellent local craft beers. popular spots for dancing include Club 600 North and Ocean Deck.

4. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has a fantastic art and cultural scene, and the fun continues once the sun goes down. With every kind of bar, pub, lounge, and club you could think of, Chicago is a great night out due to the sheer variety of places open after dark. The street with the most places to grab a drink is Clark Street. Stretching 12 miles (19km)  from Rogers Park to Chinatown, Clark Street has more than 20o places that serve alcohol. You won’t go thirsty here, that’s for sure.

best nightlife in the US

5. Seattle, Washington

Seattle is one of the most romantic places in America, but it is also great for nightlife too, especially for those who like classy cocktail clubs and wine bars. There are booming clubs, too, where you can dance the night away, but you just might have to seek them out. A live music venue is always a good choice if you want somewhere with a great atmosphere and a dancefloor. You won’t have to look far for live music, as it is pretty integral to the city’s culture – you’ll find it everywhere. To the northeast of Downtown, Capitol Hill is Seattle’s party neighbourhood.

best nightlife in the US

6. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is one of the coolest cities in America right now. With a huge art, culture, and music scene, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the best cities for nightlife too. A great night out in Atlanta can involve anything from live music to a super-sleek, neon-lit lounge. But if you want something unique to the city, and quintessentially Georgian, be sure to visit a Southern-style saloon for a chilled drink or craft cocktail with the locals.

7. Portland, Oregon

The nightlife in Portland is fun, with many karaoke bars and venues with open mic nights. This means the nightlife in the city is eclectic and varied, and each night of the week, you can find something interesting to do when the sun goes down. The Old Town Chinatown neighbourhood, located at the heart of downtown, is Portland’s vibrant Entertainment District. It is a go-to place for late-night fun, whether it’s a laid-back lounge or a rowdy dance floor. Apart from nightclubs, another type of club is popular in Portland, the strip club. The city has the most strip clubs per capita and they are surprisingly inclusive.

Melanie May

Melanie is an intrepid solo traveller, endlessly curious about people, places and food. She is a fan of slow travel and loves exploring the world by mouth, discovering a culture through its food. Having backpacked her way around the world she turned her wanderlust into a career and is now a full-time travel writer.

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