Best bars in America 2026: See the top 38 picks from USA TODAY

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Burger-infused bourbon. A refreshing mix of limoncello and cucumber – herbal and a tiny bit sweet. Hand-poured cask ales, brewed in a 400-year-old tradition.Creative or traditional, innovative or tried-and-true, these drinks – and the camaraderie, stories and good times behind them – are among the reasons our food writers from across the country chose the USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2026.From dive bars to beach bars, swanky cocktail speakeasies to retro-throwback lounges, the best bars tell a story – and often serve up something tasty to go with your drink.Buy the book! 'Shake & Sip: Recipes from America's Best Bars'USA TODAY celebrates the standout spots across the country that do more than just pour a stiff one. These are the places where locals and visitors alike gather for good conversation, warm vibes and a little slice of the city’s character – whether that means sipping a club-friendly mixed drink with orange vodka, club soda, 7-Up, and cranberry and orange juice while dancing at D'Jais in Belmar, New Jersey, or settling in to a hi-fi listening lounge and savoring an aperitivo at Potential New Boyfriend in Asheville, North Carolina.We love them all. And they are, the 2026 USA TODAY Bars of the Year.Leroy, AlabamaSunny's Lounge, ArizonaYucca Tap Room, ArizonaThe Reef, CaliforniaSocial, ColoradoBottle & Cork, DelawareGood Night John Boy, FloridaDolly's Wine Bar, FloridaThe Sandbar at Capt Hiram's Resort, FloridaThe Lone Wolf Lounge, GeorgiaThe 33 Room, IllinoisThe Ball and Biscuit, IndianaEl Bait Shop, IowaHell or High Water, KentuckyGreen Room, LouisianaFatty Arbuckle's Pub, LouisianaThe Wig Shop, MassachusettsShipwrecked, MassachusettsFemme Bar, MassachusettsFather Forgive Me, MichiganD'Jais, New JerseyCloverleaf Tavern, New JerseyThe Riverside Inn, New JerseyThe Ambleside Pub, New YorkGoodnight Kenny, New YorkJack's Extra Fancy, New YorkPotential New Boyfriend, North CarolinaThe Fortunate Glass, North CarolinaSully's Speakeasy, OhioNorthside Yacht Club, OhioLand-Grant Brewing Co., OhioSkinny Slim's, OklahomaNeshaminy Creek Brewing Company, PennsylvaniaThe Smoking Mule, South DakotaFly by Night, TennesseeFox Bar and Cocktail Club, TennesseeAccordia Natural Wine Bar & Eatery, VirginiaThe Mothership, Wisconsin-----------------Leroy | Montgomery, AlabamaDetails: 2752 Boultier Ave.; 334-356-7127, leroylounge.comLeroy is one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026. Look insideTake a look inside Leroy in Montgomery, Alabama, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.Leroy is a hidden gem in a close-knit artistic community in Montgomery, and they like it that way. Since opening in 2012, the bar has been a place worth searching for, tucked away behind a community theater. Leroy has 18 craft beers on tap and a large selection of wine, but its signature cocktails are what keep neighbors coming back. That, and a variety of music, comedy and other activities. There’s also a story about a kidnapped champion race horse that’s in the mix. Ask your bartender about it. They’ll be glad to share the tale as you sip your drink. – Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser-----------------Sunny's Lounge | Phoenix, ArizonaDetails: 2701 E. Indian School Road; 602-316-1117, drinkmoresayless.comSunny's Lounge in Arizona named among best bars. See insideTake a look inside Sunny's Lounge in Phoenix, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.This little gem of a neighborhood watering hole is essentially a really good cocktail bar that cosplays as a dive. Sidle up to the bar at Sunny's to watch the action or snag a red leather booth. Either way, stick to cocktails, which range from straightforward and tasty to slightly unhinged, like the smashburger cocktail made with burger-infused bourbon, Corazon anejo tequila, celery bitters, brioche and dill pickle, served with a mini malt. Trust. If you don’t want a burger cocktail, there are plenty of other options, including a secret menu. As for food, they keep it simple with bar mix and a gourmet hot dog, served either plain or as a rotating "fancy pants glizzy," to help tame the alcohol. It's the kind of place that feels cozy but never boring, thanks to drinks that'll keep you on your toes. – Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic-----------------Yucca Tap Room | Tempe, ArizonaDetails: 29 W. Southern Ave.; 480-967-4777, yuccatap.comYucca Tap Room named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside Yucca Tap Room in Tempe, AZ, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.There was a brief but brilliant moment in the early '90s when the Arizona music scene was being looked to as “the next Seattle” – a time when talk like that was all it took to spawn a major-label feeding frenzy. Yucca Tap Room is the last bar standing from that celebrated era. It’s where Roger Clyne and the Refreshments launched their career with a Sunday night residency. And it remains a cherished staple of the local music diet, expanding in recent years to include a pinball arcade and a satellite bar in northern Arizona. – Ed Masley, Arizona Republic-----------------The Reef | Palm Springs, CaliforniaDetails: Caliente Tropics Resort, 411 E. Palm Canyon Drive; 760-656-3839, thereefpalmsprings.comThe Reef named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside The Reef in Palm Springs, Calif., named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.The massive A-frame that provides the entry to Palm Springs’ funky Caliente Tropics resort can feel like a passage between worlds. Outside are cactus, mountain views and the thrum of cars heading to the many motels that line the Coachella Valley’s busiest thoroughfare. But venture in and enter a (faux) tropical paradise of tiki heads and vibes that feel straight out of “Magnum, P.I.” That ambience reaches its zenith at The Reef, a nautical-themed watering hole that pays tribute to this town's tiki bar-obsessed past. The Reef serves mai tais and other boozy concoctions in classic tiki mugs, alongside burgers and fried shrimp, to a colorful crowd that includes motel guests, devoted regulars and maybe even Jimmy Buffett’s ghost (he’d sure love this spot). – Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert SunSocial | Fort Collins, ColoradoDetails: 1 Old Town Square, Suite 7; 970-449-5606, socialfortcollins.comSocial named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside Social in Fort Collins, Colorado, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.When looking to settle in for a night of conversation and something a little mysterious, Social never misses. The speakeasy is a classic that’s been around since 2013, offering specialty cocktails and charcuterie boards that are simply divine. The menu feels like a garden, with drinks that arrive looking as good as they taste, often topped with fresh fruit and bitters. Try the Sweet Li’l Thang, a dessert cocktail with coconut cream and bright citrus notes, or the Unencumbered, a refreshing mix of limoncello and cucumber that’s herbal and a tiny bit sweet. All drinks are presented with an elegant touch that makes the experience feel special every time. – Abigail Flores-Johnson, Fort Collins Coloradoan-----------------Bottle & Cork | Dewey Beach, DelawareDetails: 1807 Highway 1; 302-227-7272, bottleandcork.comBottle & Cork named one of USA Today's best bars of 2026Take a look inside Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach, DE, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.Summer simply doesn't count without a visit to the iconic, 90-year-old Bottle & Cork. The indoor-outdoor music venue with a roadhouse-at-the-beach feel is as much of a tradition as sandy beaches and ice cream cones. Half of the bar is open air, with an elevated area along the wall for lucky bar-goers looking for a perch to take in the wild scene. The other half is indoors with a Texas roadhouse-at-the-beach feel. There's a limited drink menu, no food and an overall feel that's more frat party than classy cocktail bar. The nightlife hot spot draws major crowds with its stacked lineup of national acts and its legendary Jam Session on Saturdays, which start at 5 p.m. sharp with the blare of a vintage rooftop air raid siren. They're a marathon of eight hours of rotating performances by four local cover bands. You can party for three hours, leave for a 2-hour dinner, take a 2-hour nap, and still make it for the finale. But beware: The floor will be littered with crushed beer cans, another time-honored Cork custom. – Ryan Cormier, Delaware News Journal-----------------Good Night John Boy l Delray Beach, FloridaDetails: 33 SE Third Ave.; goodnightjb.com/delraybeachGood Night John Boy named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside Good Night John Boy in Delray Beach, Florida, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.For those of a certain age, the phrase “Good Night John Boy” lands with familiarity, a sign-off from “The Waltons” that closed out a quieter era of TV. In Delray Beach, Good Night John Boy is also the name of a bar, one that now signals something else entirely: a high-energy disco fever dream where sequins, basslines and glittering cocktails carry the night long past last call. Inside, the room feels less like a set piece and more like a lived-in fantasy, as if Carol Brady were given a blank check and told to design the ultimate party basement. At the center is the dance floor, a glowing “Saturday Night Fever”-esque grid that doubles as a magnet. Mirrored disco balls scatter light across the room, and DJs move easily between decades, mixing Donna Summer into Bruno Mars without breaking the rhythm. The music uses the 1970s as a foundation, then builds forward. – Diana Biederman, Palm Beach Post-----------------Dolly’s Wine Bar | Melbourne, FloridaDetails: 1431 Highland Ave.; dollyswinebar.comDolly's Wine Bar named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside Dolly's Wine Bar in Melbourne, Florida, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.Locals flock to Dolly’s Wine Bar, a cozy neighborhood spot in the heart of Eau Gallie Arts District that has quickly become one of Melbourne’s go-to places for wine lovers and casual nights out. This favorite has become a standout in the local bar scene for its relaxed, thoughtfully crafted experience, with an extensive wine list and thoughtful food pairings. Dolly's is in the middle of a neighborhood known for its galleries, events and walkable streets, making the wine bar an easy stop during a night out. It draws guests in with cutesy umbrellas, outdoor seating and a fun neon sign that blends seamlessly into Eau Gallie’s eclectic, artsy vibe. And while relatively new compared to long-standing establishments, Dolly’s quickly built a loyal following of locals, from young professionals to longtime residents looking for a laid-back alternative to traditional bars. – Amber Olesen, Florida Today-----------------Sandbar Beach Club at Capt Hirams Resort | Sebastian, FloridaDetails: 1580 U.S. Highway 1; hirams.comSandbar at Capt Hirams named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a tour of the Sandbar at Capt Hirams Resort in Sebastian, Florida, named one of USA TODAY's best bars for 2026.Hear the reggae music and feel the sand on your feet. Capt Hirams Resort began as a raw bar on a small boat ramp in 1987 with only 28 seats. Since then, it has grown to become one of the largest private employers in the city and includes the Sandbar, an inn, marina, museum, stage and multiple restaurants for a beachy bite. The outdoor island-style tiki bar features beer, wine and specialty cocktails such as the Hurricane Hiram, a "category 3, 4, or 5" concoction of rum, amaretto, pineapple, passionfruit and grenadine topped with a 151 floater. Capt Hirams Resort is now a hot spot for multiple events, such as live music, crab boils, shows, game nights, mystery nights, fishing tournaments and conferences about real treasure hunts off the nearby shores. – Valeria Bartra, Treasure Coast Newspapers-----------------Lone Wolf Lounge | Savannah, GeorgiaDetails: 2429 Lincoln St.; lonewolfsav.comLone Wolf Lounge named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside the Lone Wolf Lounge in Savannah, GA, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.The vision for Lone Wolf was always that it should retain its slightly worn feel. It opened in a former insurance offce, where co-owner Andrew Ripley wanted to share the “nostalgia of my background in Wisconsin’s neighborhood bars where the lighting’s good and the music’s good.” While the vibe may be Midwest, the cocktails feature Caribbean flavors in reference to the Savannah-Caribbean trade routes established in the 1700s. The resulting menu features a twist on all the classics: shots, wines, beers and eight reasonably priced house cocktails described in witty but never pretentious terms. – Beth Logan, For Savannah Morning News-----------------The 33 Room | Peoria Heights, IllinoisDetails: 4541 N. Prospect Road, Suite 33; the33room.comThe 33 Room named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside The 33 Room in Peoria Heights, IL, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.History mixes well with contemporary creativity here. The area once boasted brewing operations for Pabst, with the original taproom dedicated in 1949. Its name offered a nod to a popular Pabst slogan of the 1940s: “33 Fine Brews Blended Into One Great Beer.” Brewing operations ended in The Heights 33 years later. Revived in 2022, The 33 Room does not aim to “stamp out the past,” co-owner Dustin Crawford said. An original backbar boasts the Pabst Blue Ribbon logo while a black-and-white photo collage, neon signs and wood-paneled walls further add to the nostalgia. Creative ever-changing cocktails are now a central tenet of the menu, but customers can still crack open a can of PBR. – Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star-----------------The Ball and Biscuit | Indianapolis, IndianaDetails: 311 Massachusetts Ave.; 317-636-0539, ballandbiscuit.comBall and Biscuit named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside Ball and Biscuit in Indianapolis, Indiana, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.The brick-walled venue, named for the style of microphone used by BBC radio presenters during the mid-20th century, commendably balances a classic atmosphere with boundary-pushing drinks. Few restaurateurs permit their staff as much creative freedom as owner-operator Kendall Lockwood; each drink on Ball and Biscuit’s signature cocktail menu is attributed to its creator, usually with a theme drawn from movies or TV. Food-wise, the kitchen keeps things simple with nuts, pickles, charcuterie and a quietly excellent artichoke dip. It’s hard not to feel ritzy at Ball and Biscuit. More importantly, it’s even harder not to have fun. – Bradley Hohulin, Indianapolis Star-----------------El Bait Shop | Des Moines, IowaDetails: 200 S.W. Second St.; 515-284-1970, elbaitshop.comEl Bait Shop named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside El Bait Shop in Des Moines, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.Long before craft beer was ubiquitous, El Bait Shop normalized educated bartenders, detailed tasting notes, brewery takeovers and limited releases in central Iowa. Since it opened in 2006, the bar has been a game changer for Des Moines, helping establish downtown as a serious dining-and-drinking destination when options were still limited. The space is filled with maximalist Americana and fishing-cabin kitsch, including taxidermy fish and woodland animals and vintage beer signs. With more than 250 taps, El Bait Shop remains one of the largest draft programs in the country, pouring Iowa brews alongside national icons, rare releases and classic imports. Knowledgeable bartenders guide novices and obsessives alike, making an overwhelming list feel approachable rather than intimidating. – Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register-----------------Hell or High Water | Louisville, KentuckyDetails: 112 W. Washington St.; 502-587-3057, hellorhighwaterbar.comHell or High Water named one of USA TODAY's best bars of 2026Take a look inside Hell or High Water in Louisville, Kentucky, named one of USA TODAY's best bars for 2026.The entrance at 112 Washington St. in downtown Louisville comes with mystery and without flash, except for a little globe-like lamp that lights up at night. Once patrons find the light, open the door under it and are met with a small, starkly red room with a large map of 1921 Louisville on the wall. The map doesn't provide any helpful directions for this situation, but on another red wall is this message: "When this door opens, join us below." A set of steps and a couple of hallways eventually lead to the magical unveiling of Hell or High Water. And the bar, which seats about 100 people across multiple, whimsical rooms, has more surprises in store. Among 600 beautiful books lining one of the rooms dubbed The Library, a stunningly tall room filled with leather chairs and colorful rugs. At least a couple of books don't actually contain pages when perched open; others might hold notes left by previous patrons. Along with a couple of balcony-like rooms, there's a lounge filled with red velvet seating and the chandelier-lit Gaga Room. – Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal-----------------The Greenroom l Lafayette, LouisianaDetails: 229 Jefferson St.The Greenroom named one of the USA TODAY's best bars of 2026Take a look inside The Greenroom in Downtown Lafayette, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.For more than two decades, The Greenroom has quietly built a reputation as one of downtown Lafayette’s most beloved gathering places. Known as a laid-back, art-filled bar where tattoo artists, attorneys, musicians, skateboarders and tourists all end up sharing drinks and conversations under the same roof, there’s an unmistakable sense of community the moment you enter. It's popular for its massive craft beer selection, and for creating what regulars affectionately describe as a “Cheers” atmosphere. What truly sets The Greenroom apart, though, is the crowd itself. On any given night, judges, farmers, college students, bartenders, musicians and travelers might all find themselves sharing conversations at the same bar. – Aaron Gonsoulin, Lafayette Daily Advertiser-----------------Fatty Arbuckle’s Pub | Shreveport, LouisianaDetails: 205 Wall St.; 318-459-1448, fattyarbuckles.pubFatty Arbuckle's Pub named one of the USA TODAY's best bars of 2026Take a look inside Fatty Arbuckle's Pub in Shreveport, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.Behind the walls of an unsuspecting metal building on the cusp of downtown Shreveport, you are greeted with a warm, inviting pub known for its array of rare bourbons and collection of scotches. Fatty Arbuckle’s Pub, established in 2003, is home to over 200 different whiskeys and fine spirits. A sprawling outside patio features local food trucks and live music every weekend. Back inside, you can sip on Pappy Van Winkle while you play pool. Fatty Arbuckle’s rotates a variety of craft cocktails throughout the year, consisting of classic cocktail recipes and custom mixologist creations. Mondays are steak nights. – Makenzie Boucher, Shreveport Times-----------------The Wig Shop | Boston, MassachusettsDetails: 27 Temple Place; 617-338-6333, wigshopboston.comThe Wig Shop named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside The Wig Shop in Boston, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.From the outside, it appears to be a wig shop, complete with a neon “WIGS” sign. Mannequin heads stare at you through the storefront window, each topped with a wildly unique hairpiece – one with long, curly, bubblegum pink locks; another with a bright orange bob. Step inside, behind the big steel exterior door, and enter a theater-like cocktail lounge with seating areas of plush navy and maroon couches and chairs, glass gold-edged coffee tables and sheer glittery-gold drapery dividers. Welcome to The Wig Shop in Boston’s Downtown Crossing, where you’ll feel like you’re onstage. Sit back, relax and peruse a playful catalog like menu with 30 cocktail choices created by Wig merchants (bartenders). Shareable bites include lobster pancakes and sliders. – Joanna Tzouvelis, Wicked Local-----------------Shipwrecked | Falmouth, MassachusettsDetails: 263 Grand Ave.; 508-540-9600, shipwreckedfalmouth.comShipwrecked named one of USA Today's best bars of 2026Take a look inside Shipwrecked in Falmouth, MA, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.If you were a drone, your video of Shipwrecked would start over the Atlantic Ocean, pan across Falmouth Heights Beach and a crosswalk, and land on a scene of happy diners and drinkers. In winter, Shipwrecked draws locals looking to eat dinner, socialize or watch the game on large screens. In summer, the bar and restaurant extend into the courtyard like a scene from a '50s beach blanket movie. There is always a full menu served in the bar, and the signature cocktail, Shipwrecked Juice, is an all-weather choice with a fragrant layer of vanilla-scented Kraken Rum floating on top. Runners, take note: The bar is the finish line for the Falmouth Road Race and its competitors from around the world. Bar owner Alex Khan, once a lifeguard across the street, says Shipwrecked is exactly what he always felt the beachfront needed. – Gwenn Friss, Cape Cod Times-----------------Femme Bar | Worcester, MassachusettsDetails: 62 Green St.; 508-304-7622, femmebarworcester.comFemme Bar named one of USA TODAY’s best bars of 2026Take a look inside Femme Bar in Worcester, MA, named one of USA TODAYs best bars for 2026.Femme Bar hits all the marks: a friendly, welcoming space; a mouth-watering menu; drag shows and music; and, perhaps most importantly, colorfully named drinks such as the Bad Idea, the Pink Pony Club and the Girl of My Dreams. It's no wonder that Femme Bar has developed a reputation not just as an LBGTQ+ epicenter, but as one of the all-around best bars in the region. –