This is officially America's best city for nightlife right now
According to Time Out, Las Vegas has been crowned not only the best nightlife city in the U.S., but the world's best nightlife city for 2025. The city scored an impressive 88-percent approval rating from a survey of locals and won praise from Time Out's expert panel. Sin City still brings the classic casino vibes and and mega-clubs with confetti drops, but the city's after-dark scene has evolved.
These days, the real magic often happens off the Strip. Vegas's Arts District is home to cocktail lounges like Stray Pirate, Doberman and Nocturno, where bartenders craft creative drinks with wild infusions. Locals love the city's speakeasies, too: There's one hidden behind a barbershop, another behind a bookshelf at a Malaysian eatery and another called The Lock, which you literally crawl into through a safe door. Add tiki bars, live music joints and art-filled night markets, and it's easy to see why most locals call their nightlife 'exciting.'
While Vegas is the only U.S. city to be named among the world's best, America's top nightlife cities are far from tame. At number two, Chicago keeps the party going with its mix of gritty dive bars, rooftop lounges, legendary house music clubs and late-night blues joints. Coming in third is New Orleans, where the soundtrack never stops. Frenchmen Street overflows with brass bands, funk collectives and soul singers playing to crowds that spill onto the sidewalk. The Quarter still has its rowdy energy, but locals swear by the smaller spots—dark, intimate bars where the cocktails are strong and the vibe is easygoing. Miami and New York, nightlife juggernauts, round out the top five.
Whether it's a huge rave or a quiet whisky at an underground lounge, nightlife in the U.S. has never looked more diverse—or more fun. And right now, Vegas is leading the charge.
Best cities for nightlife in the U.S., according to Time Out
Las Vegas
Chicago
New Orleans
Miami
New York
Los Angeles
Austin
San Diego
Orlando
Dallas
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
In pictures: ecstatic Oasis fans at Wembley for the band's first London reunion show
Oasis' reunion shows in Cardiff and Manchester blew fans' minds – so the hype for the duo's first London concert in 16 years was, naturally, sky-high. On Friday July 25 Liam and Noel (plus Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Bonehead, with Joey Waronker) made a triumphant return to the capital at Wembley Stadium. Wembley is the biggest venue on the UK leg of Oasis' Live '25 tour. A whopping 90,000 punters – many of them donning bucket hats, sports jackets, football tops and official merch – descended on northwest London for the show, and Time Out was there to capture the occasion. Photographer Chris Bethell headed to Wembley for London's first Oasis reunion gig. Here are his highlights.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
The UK city that's one of the best in the world for nightlife
Time Out has revealed the 20 best cities in the world for nightlife, with one UK city making the cut - and it's not the nation's capital The crème de la crème of global nightlife destinations has been disclosed, and Brighton has flown the flag for the UK by securing a spot in the top ten, ranking seventh. Topping the charts overall is none other than Las Vegas, renowned for its glittering array of bars, nightclubs, and casinos. TimeOut has unveiled the rankings, showcasing the top 20 cities worldwide for those seeking the ultimate nocturnal experiences. They surveyed thousands across hundreds of leading cities globally, asking participants to judge their local nightlife scene, including clubs, bars, and evening entertainment. After analysing the responses, the experts compiled the definitive list of the top 20 nightlife hotspots around the globe. Brighton stands as the UK's lone entry on the list, building on its reputation from Time Out's previous accolade as one of the world's top 50 cities. The coastal city is a magnet for diverse crowds, all in search of a memorable night on the town, reports the Express. With offerings ranging from seafront clubs and sophisticated wine and cocktail bars to cabaret performances in historic ballrooms, Brighton caters to every taste. Among the city's gems is The Tempest Inn, a seafront establishment with a unique cave-like interior that has garnered glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. A patron shared their experience: "Came here for Forro dance (upstairs) ... really lovely venue and enjoyed a few drinks. Great central location, really nice internally, really top quality venue." Meanwhile, one patron of the cocktail and wine bar Bar Medusa penned: "I recently visited this bar and was left with a gorgeous impression. Everything was wonderful, from the friendly and welcoming staff to the delicious cocktails. 'Picasso' was stunning and become my favorite cocktail. I will definitely come here again." Additionally, a review of Brighton's Haus of Cabaret states: "Went for our anniversary not sure what to expect but had a great time was very funny Ruby our waitress was great kept us topped up with food and drink will definitely be going again." The world's 20 best cities for nightlife Las Vegas, USA Madrid, Spain Paris, France Shanghai, China Berlin, Germany Melbourne, Australia Brighton, UK Mexico City, Mexico Dubai, UAE Mumbai, India Cape Town, South Africa Warsaw, Poland Bangkok, Thailand Lagos, Nigeria Cairo, Egypt Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Amsterdam, Netherlands Medellín, Colombia Marrakech, Morocco Athens, Greece
Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
The arty, colourful seaside town that is one of the best day trips from London
After a short bout of rain and thunderstorms, Londoners have been promised that the sun is on its way back to the capital. We're well into summer now, so there's every chance that you've now exhausted all there is to do in the city on a scorching hot day. The solution? Get out and go on a day trip. There's loads of wonderful places that are within easy reach of London – our expertly day trips curated list is packed with historic cities, cosy pastoral towns and charming villages perfect for whatever kind of excursion you fancy. If it's a seaside trip you're after, we've got just the place. Time Out named Whitstable our favourite day trip from London for summer 2025, but coming in close second was St Leonards-on-Sea. The smaller sister town to Hastings, St Leonards is a must-go destination all on its own. It was supposedly Queen Victoria's favourite coastal resort back in the 1800s and these days boasts a fab array of galleries, indie coffee shops, art deco architecture and antique treasure troves. Londoners can get to the town via an easy one hour and 18 minute train journey from Charing Cross, so there's really no excuse not to go and see it for yourself. Ella Doyle, Time Out's guides editor, said that St Leonards is a particularly delightful spot for foodies. She wrote: 'There's a reason so many Londoners moved to St Leonards-On-Sea during lockdown – it's a cracking day out from the Big Smoke for beachside drinks and a tonne of great food spots. 'Head to food market Heist (basically a much nicer version of Boxpark) for orange wine and street food, then sink pints at Goat Ledge, a vibey, colourful shack right on the beach. If you fancy splashing out a little, book dinner at the fabulously old-school St Clement's for white tablecloths and delicious seafood.' There's plenty more to do besides wining and dining, a bountiful cave of vintage treasures, stop by Teddy Tinkers and for a good dose of art, we recommend walking along the seafront to Hastings Contemporary. There you'll find rolling exhibitions from some of the world's leading contemporary artists, including the likes of Jake and Dinos Chapman and Sarah Lucas. here. See the rest of Time Out's best day trips from the London.
