Did you ever want to take a vacation or a weekend getaway to just go out on the town and blow off some steam? Maybe you and some friends want to celebrate a birthday milestone and are looking for a fun place to go. Check out some of the best cities to visit for the best nightlife.
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Best Cities with the Best Nightlife
New Orleans
The Big Easy is just that, a big easy place to have a great time. You can choose to come during Mardi Gras, but you are guaranteed a good time knowing that New Orleans is known throughout the world as having one of the best bar scenes.
Nashville, Tennessee
Now here in the country music capital of the USA, you can bar hop all over town while checking out some amazing musicians and street performers entertaining the crowds. With so much live music and plenty of fun things to do in Nashville, this city has some of the best nightlife you will ever encounter.
Key West, Florida
Head to our southernmost point for what will ultimately be a mix of a fun night out on Duval Street and a nice calm vacation tucked away in a cottage as well. Make sure you visit Mallory Square and see all the festive sunset celebration performers too!
Chicago, Illinois
Maybe you only think of the Cubs and Wrigley Field when you think of Chicago when it comes to a party atmosphere, but do not fear, there is more to the Windy City than baseball. There are several bars and nightclubs that will keep you up late at night, not to mention the music venues here is fantastic.
Las Vegas, Nevada
If it is a wild weekend and a 24-hour party that you are seeking, then this is the city for you. The Las Vegas strip is infamous for all of the action, but you can always find tons of things to do all over until the wee hours of the morning here. Some of my favorite clubs in Las Vegas are the Marquee and Hakkasan. This city never shuts down, so don’t plan on getting much sleep!
Austin, Texas
Wild weekends and a booming live music scene is all you need to know when planning a trip to Austin. Tourists and locals love to hang out on Sixth Street in the downtown district where there are too many bars and restaurants to count. I love the rooftop bar, Hangar bar. You can’t beat the hospitality here in Texas, either!
Miami, Florida
Head to the sunshine state for hot weather and hot nights at some of the best nightclubs on South Beach. Not only can you get away with dressing to impress here, but it is expected. You can expect to pay a pretty penny to dance the night away here, but I can tell you from experience, it is worth it!
Seattle, Washington
It could be the plethora of coffee shops and the energy of all the caffeine or it could just be the cool, music scene, but Seattle has a thriving nightlife in areas like Capitol Hill that can rival any city. Here you can bar hop and drink microbrews all night if you wish.
Los Angeles, California
Where else but in the City of Angels can you not only see celebrities but also party like the celebrities if you want to? Hit up the Sunset Strip and find yourself immersed in a scene from a movie.
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San Antonio, Texas
The nightlife in San Antonio is fantastic. One area I highly recommend is St. Mary’s strip. The street is lined with clubs and bars so you can basically pick and choose where you want to go. They all seem to have completely different atmospheres, so chances are high you will find one you enjoy. At Brass Monkey’s you can enjoy cheap drinks and dance to 70’s and 80’s throwbacks or hang out outside on their large patio. Over at Hi-Tones you can catch live music by local bands.
Portland, Oregon
I live in Portland and could not leave it out. Portland isn’t known for its nightlife, but that does mean it isn’t vibrant and fun. There are tons of bars catering to basically any type of customer.
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New York, New York
Last, but certainly, not least, the Big Apple is by far the best city in the country with the best nightlife in my humble opinion. Whether you want to sip on an extravagant cocktail in a swanky SoHo lounge or reserve a table and buy a bottle in the Meatpacking district, you can’t go wrong in New York City.
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Have you been to any of these cities? What did you do when you visited? Do you have a favorite bar, lounge, or nightclub?
