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