27 Best Bars in America, State by State

2024 Edition

USA Today Names 27 Must-Visit Bars Across America

Here's why these 27 bars should be on your radar:

Phoenix, AZ

• Barcoa Agaveria: 829 N. First Ave. Massive list of Sonoran spirits, from tequila to mezcal. Try unusual tipples like banana-infused mezcal Negroni. Hidden basement bar welcomes agave nerds and newcomers. barcoaphx.com
• Boycott Bar: 4301 N. Seventh Ave. One of only 33 lesbian bars in the US, featured in "The Lesbian Bar Project." Cozy, dimly lit bar opened in 2004, offering karaoke, themed dance parties, and a welcoming atmosphere. boycottbarphx.com

Newark, DE

• Deer Park Tavern: 108 W. Main St. Legendary bar frequented by Edgar Allan Poe, now a popular college bar with a quintessential pub experience and a "townie bar" downstairs. deerparktavern.com

Perdido Key, FL

• Flora-Bama: 17401 Perdido Key Dr. World-famous bar on the Florida-Alabama state line, known for live music and annual events like the Interstate Mullet Toss and Thanksgiving potluck. florabama.com

Sarasota, FL

• The Gator Club: 1490 Main St. Two-story bar with over 110 years of history, including bootleg whiskey and an upstairs brothel. Features live reggae acts and a pulsating dance floor. thegatorclub.com

Indianapolis, IN

• Sam's Silver Circle: 1102 Fletcher Ave. Neighborhood haunt with a mosaic of license plates and sports memorabilia, offering karaoke, trivia, bingo, and darts. Known for cold beer, hot pizza, and the slogan, "Follow me to Sam's." samssilvercircle.com

Des Moines, IA

• Hello, Marjorie: 717 Locust St. Retro 1950s cocktail lounge in the former Des Moines Register building, serving creative cocktails. Pink LED sign quotes Jack Kerouac: "The prettiest girls in the world live in Des Moines." hellomarjorie.com

Louisville, KY

• Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop: 1139 Bardstown Rd. In Bourbon City, this bar stands out with its vintage vibe and impressive collection. Try their old-fashioned, one of the best in town. neatbottlebar.com

Houma, LA

• Intracoastal Club: 8448 E. Main St. Psychedelic bar hosting experimental bands from around the world. The eclectic decor includes disco balls, local art, and portraits of historical figures. Simple drinks, but the shows are wild. intracoastal-club.edan.io

Boston, MA

• L Street Tavern: 658 E. Eighth St. Famous Irish pub featured in "Good Will Hunting." Tourists flock to see the iconic high-top table and memorabilia, while locals enjoy Guinness and sports on TV. lsttavernsouthie.com

Detroit, MI

• Paramita Sound: 1517 Broadway St. Black-owned wine bar and record shop that brings communities together. Live DJs, a lively crowd, and a dance floor make this a unique Detroit experience. paramita.xyz

Jackson, MS

• The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs: 655 Duling Ave. Classic drug store with a hidden bar in the former pharmacy storeroom. Serves classic-inspired cocktails like the Adult Swim. One of Jackson's most popular bars for a fun night out. apothecaryjackson.com

Asbury Park, NJ

• Wonder Bar: 1213 Ocean Ave. Oceanfront bar managed by Debbie DeLisa for 25 years. Features live music, a circular bar built for mingling, and Yappy Hour, bringing dogs and their owners together. Bruce Springsteen is a regular. wonderbarasburypark.com

Montclair, NJ

• Tierney's Tavern: 136 Valley Rd. Vintage Irish bar, over 90 years old, known as North Jersey's "Cheers." Film and TV crews have used this unassuming tavern, loved by locals from college kids to boomers. tierneystavern.com

Rochester, NY

• Radio Social: 20 Carlson Rd. A 42,000-sq-ft mashup of bars, a Middle Eastern restaurant, a pizzeria, bowling lanes, and outdoor games. Two cocktail bars with unique vibes, complemented by a local lager. Retro decor and a fantastic brunch. radio-social.com

Yonkers, NY

• Saints and Scholars: 790 McLean Ave. Quirky Irish pub with floral wallpaper and disco balls. Cocktails served in jumbo glasses or miniature bathtubs. Irish owner Aidan Loughran chats with customers and prioritizes elevated food. Cash only. instagram.com/saintsandscholars

Asheville, NC

• The Crow & Quill: 106 N. Lexington Ave. Speakeasy-style bar with a gothic vibe and a hidden entrance. Known for its live jazz and swing bands, and an extensive library of whiskeys and spirits. Cozy corners and intimate ambiance make it a favorite. thecrowandquill.com

Carolina Beach, NC

• Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar: 1211 S. Lake Park Blvd. This tiki bar on the remnants of Center Pier serves up cold beer and cocktails like mojitos and Dark 'n' Stormy. Tiki shows bring touring and local bands, and the restaurant offers fish tacos and sandwiches. oceangrilltiki.com

Columbus, OH

• Law Bird: 740 S. High St. cocktail bar with a constantly evolving menu of drinks, bar snacks, and décor. Pickled carrot brine and seaweed-infused mezcal meet $5 mini-martinis and a "not governed by reason" philosophy. Reservations recommended. lawbirdbar.com

Cincinnati, OH

• Longfellow: 1233 Clay St. As much a listening bar as a cocktail bar, with a well-curated playlist spanning Ralph Stanley to New Order. Eclectic crowd, intimate conversations, and a rotating menu of modern bar snacks make this a unique spot. longfellowbar.com

Oklahoma City, OK

• Edna's: 5137 Classen Circle. Beloved local bar for 35 years, adorned with dollar bills on the walls and ceiling. Origin of The Lunchbox cocktail: Coors Light, OJ, and amaretto. Featured in a Keith Urban video and loved by Jimmy Fallon. ednasokc.com

Portland, OR

• Hey Love: 920 E. Burnside St. Portland's sunny escape, a funky bar inside the Jupiter Hotel. Eclectic spirit, fresh playlists, diverse food options, and an ADA-accommodating bar. Community-minded, they host fundraisers and support causes. heylovepdx.com

Philadelphia, PA

• Bloomsday Cafe: 414 S. Second St. Charming wine bar on a cobblestone street, with a friendly staff that remembers your name and drink. Natural wines, ciders, and vermouth, plus the Bloomsday Citywide cocktail, a twist on a Philly classic. Wine clubs and book clubs add to the charm. bloomsdaycafe.com

Knoxville, TN

• Preservation Pub: 28 Market Square. Dive bar with live jam band music and a rooftop "shot shack." Owner Scott West calls it the "heart of the heart" of Knoxville's Market Square. Signature drink: the Pubby Buddies, whiskey, and a PBR. scruffycity.com/preservation-pub

Nashville, TN

• The Lipstick Lounge: 1400 Woodland St. Iconic gay bar in once-gritty East Nashville, now surrounded by pricey homes. Raucous, colorful, and wild, with thumping music and costumes. Don't miss the peach schnapps-based Flying Phyllis Diller. thelipsticklounge.com

Austin, TX

• Sahara Lounge: 1413 Webberville Rd. This eclectic, diverse bar is Austin at its best. Features live music and events like Africa Night and Body Rock ATX. Try the Ghanaian spirit Akpeteshie in a Sahara Slant. Outdoors, a fountain honors Quan Yin. saharalounge.com

Milwaukee, WI

• Bryant's Cocktail Lounge: 1579 S. Ninth St. Museum-like bar serving drinks from every decade since its opening in 1937. Bestsellers include ice cream drinks and the Wisconsin old-fashioned. Destroyed by fire in 1971, it was rebuilt as a vintage 1950s lounge, preserving its historic charm. bryantscocktaillounge.com