Bartenders Name the Best Bars in Their Cities Right Now

When travelers ask locals where to grab a drink, the answer often depends on who you ask.

Rather than turning to Google reviews or Yelp, we went straight to bartenders across the country and asked a simple question: What’s the best bar in your city right now? (Other than their own, of course).

From neighborhood cocktail hangouts to world-renowned destinations, here are the spots bartenders themselves are recommending. The most interesting pattern we found was that our top bartenders consistently recommended places they’d spend their own nights off. Check it out.

Washington, D.C.

If one city generated the most passionate responses, it was D.C. Sophia Greathouse, bar manager at Death & Co DC, rattled off a list that included Silver Lyan, Press Club, Allegory, Service Bar, Salt, and Green Zone. “I agree with all on Silver Lyan for DC, but there’s like 20 others I would list too,” she said.

Fellow D.C. bartender Joshua Gonzales summed up the city’s drinking culture simply: “DC is just an awesome nightlife town.”

Bartender Picks

Silver Lyan
Allegory
Press Club
Service Bar
Salt
Green Zone
Death & Co DC
Kachè

New York City

No city looms larger in cocktail culture than New York, and the bartenders we spoke with pointed to a mix of modern classics, industry hangouts, and neighborhood favorites.

Bartender Picks

Attaboy
Double Chicken Please
Martiny’s
Superbueno
Clover Club
Long Island Bar
Overstory
Sunken Harbor Club
Katana Kitten
Employees Only

Austin

Austin’s bartenders recommend a mix of serious cocktail bars and beloved neighborhood places-to-be. Jules of Roosevelt Room highlighted hotspots including, “Nickel City, Daydreamer, Low Down, Whisler’s, Mother’s Ruin.”

Bartender Picks

Roosevelt Room
Nickel City
Daydreamer
Low Down
Whisler’s
Mother’s Ruin

Miami

Miami’s recommendations reflected a city where world-class cocktails meet nightlife energy. Joshua Gonzales’s list included Playa, Sweet Liberty, Red Phone Booth, and Taco Coyo. “In no order, welcome to the show,” he joked.

Bartender Picks

Sweet Liberty
Red Phone Booth
Playa
Taco Coyo

San Diego

San Diego bartenders delivered one of the deepest lists in the survey. Among the standouts were 52 Remedies, Good Enough Cocktail Bar, Botanica, Polite Provisions, Cantina Mayahuel, Swan Bar, and Seven Grand.

Bartender Picks

52 Remedies
Good Enough Cocktail Bar
Botanica
Polite Provisions
Cantina Mayahuel
Swan Bar
Seven Grand
Kiku Room
Lafayette Hotel

Las Vegas

When local bartenders were asked where to drink, they looked beyond the Strip.

Bartender Picks

CC Speakeasy
Dustland
Jive Turkey
Stray Pirate
Legacy Club

Detroit

Detroit may be one of America’s most underrated cocktail cities. Here are some the top picks.

Bartender Picks

Pocket Change
Bad Luck Bar
Standby
Last Chance Saloon
Wet Picnic
Sugar House
Father Forgive Me
Dirty Shake
Oakland Art Novelty
Tocororo

Houston

Houston’s recommendations reflected the city’s diversity. Some bartenders highlighted The Flat Patio Bar, saying it serves the “best frozen Mojitos around and great music.” Also, shoutouts to Reserve 101, for its “huge selection of bourbon and beautiful bar.”

Bartender Picks

The Flat Patio Bar
Reserve 101
Donna’s

Baltimore

One venue received multiple independent endorsements from our local bartenders.

Bartender Picks

Patterson Pins

Maui

Bartender Monica Fung’s recommendations highlighted a mix of local gems and nationally recognized programs including Aurum and Parlay.

Bartender Picks

Tikehau Lounge
Aurum
Makawao Public House
Esther’s Fair Prospect
Parlay
Pilina