The best bars are more than places to just grab a drink. It might be the history, the decor, the quality of the libations or just a certain something in the atmosphere that makes these places special. In some cases, it’s all those things and more. These are some of the best bars around the USA, from longstanding drinking dens to cutting edge cocktail lounges.

Katana Kitten is named after a Samurai sword and (of course) a baby cat, and it’s as intriguing as that suggests. Spread over two floors, the Greenwich Village venue is inspired by the izakaya of Japan – informal hangouts where people gather for snacks and drinks after work. It’s owned by renowned mixologist Masahiro Urushido, who serves up impeccable cocktails including seasonal twists on the Old Fashioned and an Amaretto Sour with salted plum.

Opened in 2019, proudly loud Café La Trova is one of the newer spots along Calle Ocho, the hub of Miami’s Little Havana neighbourhood. Yet it’s quickly become one of the best places to experience Cuban bar culture, with impeccably dressed bartenders throwing classic cocktails and Daiquiris frequently seen flying (safely) through the air. There’s live music every night, and raucous, joyous dancing as a result, with staff usually swapping cocktail shakers for maracas to join the party.

The cocktails at The Roosevelt Room, one of Austin’s hottest night spots, are excellent, with the menu categorised by era from pre-1880 to modern classics. Then there are the innovative signature drinks served with more than a flourish; think house-made syrups and bitters, aromatic herbs and unusual ingredients like charcoal powder and edible liquid silver. The setting, an industrial-chic space with low-lighting and artwork to keep things on the right side of cosy, completes the experience.

Sometimes the oldies really are goodies, as Dante – a Greenwich Village institution opened in 1915 – proves. The Italian café bar was named number one in the prestigious 50 World’s Best Bars list in 2019 and continues to rank highly. The bar came under new ownership in 2015 and has been transformed from a treasured historic spot to the ultimate place for aperitivo (and beyond). The Negronis are legendary, with several twists on the classic cocktail including the signature Café Negroni, adding rum, marsala wine and coffee liqueur.

Carousel Bar has been among the best places to have a drink on Bourbon Street since it opened in 1949, serving drinks to literary luminaries including Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway. Inside the equally iconic Hotel Monteleone, it’s worth a visit for a Vieux Carré, the signature bourbon drink said to have been invented here. Plus, of course, there’s the novelty of drinking at the rotating bar – it’s like being at the fairground, but with cocktails.

Decked out like a dream apartment (especially if your dream apartment has an excellent bar), Thunderbolt is a gorgeous space filled with textures, warm colours and cool artwork. The drinks here are even more beautiful, whether you go for a refreshing hard seltzer, Californian wine or one of the Southern-inspired cocktails (with a food menu to match the latter). They even make their own canned, carbonated drinks, including a Piña Colada.

Double Chicken Please does serve chicken sandwiches, as hinted by the name, though there’s much more to the Lower East Side bar. The bar opened in late 2020 and has quickly won many fans and accolades with its charming retro style and cutting-edge drinks. It’s divided into a Front Room and a Back Room, with the former a more casual spot for cocktails on tap and those delicious sandwiches and the latter (pictured) a little edgier, with inventive drinks themed on meals.

Herbs & Rye goes for the classic combo of steaks and cocktails. Both are fabulous and prepared with expert care, though it’s the cocktails that really stand out. Offering a kind of heady, booze-fuelled journey through time, they run from early classics to the Rat Pack era and the tiki bar boom. Located off the Strip yet always popular, and a favoured spot for hospitality employees after their shifts elsewhere, it manages to combine old-school charm with cutting edge creativity.

The Hideout’s story stretches back to the late 19th century, when it was operated by bootleggers and gin runners. It opened officially – and legally – in 1934, and has become one of the country’s coolest and most joyful bars. Plenty has changed over the years but what has remained are the rebellious spirit and sense of fun, along with a winning formula of strong drinks, jovial company and entertainment from live music to readings.

There’s an original Banksy artwork opposite the reception desk at the International House Hotel in New Orleans, and that isn’t the only delightful surprise here. Tucked behind velvet curtains right next to it is Loa, one of the most unusual cocktail bars in a city that has quite a few. The small space, named after divine spirits of the Voodoo faith, is rich with chandeliers, velvet and brocade. The drinks are equally special, infused with locally sourced ingredients and paying homage to the city’s cocktail heritage.

Discover more about New Orleans’ cocktail history here

Whatever your tipple of choice, there’s a strong chance you’ll find it on the menu at Parliament. If it isn’t, the talented bartenders should be able to shake something up for you. The cocktail list at this chic, pre-Prohibition themed lounge is extensive and every libation – from classics like a barrel-aged old fashioned to new creations like the Frida Kahlo, made with tequila, egg white, lemon, rosemary and hibiscus – is perfectly prepared. The plush, dimly lit space is a winner too.

Sweet Liberty takes every drink seriously – even the whimsical ones. There’s a carefully curated menu of wines, beers and fizz, a 1,000-strong spirits list and a range of classic and innovative cocktails, including the original banana Negroni, with scotch, vermouth, fresh banana, Szechuan pepper, bitters and smoke. The bar was owned by legendary bartender John Lermayer, who tragically died in 2018. Now, his motto – pursue happiness – is immortalised in a neon sign. With live music, drag brunches and decor designed to make you smile, there’s no need to look far.

Chicago’s bar scene is as dynamic as its food offering, and Kumiko is highly rated on both counts. The Japanese-style bar, in Chicago’s West Loop, pairs seasonal cocktails with beautiful bites in a chic, minimalist space with bursts of colour provided by blooms. Classics like Martinis and Daiquiris are served with a Japanese twist, with ingredients like red bitters and ginger thrown into the mix. The alcohol-free options are incredible too, taken as seriously as the boozy ones.

Oakland has an increasingly wonderful drinking and dining scene, and this dreamy little cocktail bar is one of the best hangouts in the city. Every detail at Friends and Family is just-so, from the simple, chic white decor and rose-coloured tabletops to the small but perfectly formed cocktail list (the mezcal margarita is one of the customer favourites). There’s a pretty patio at the back too, and a food menu that perfectly complements the drinks with seasonal, flavour-packed ingredients.

Regulars love Service Bar for its laid-back ambience, unpretentious service, deliciously creative drinks and hearty bar food like fried chicken sandwiches and crab mac ’n’ cheese. Anyone else who happens to pop in adores it for the same reason. The cocktails are made with interesting ingredients like kale, clarified citrus, bergamot and baked fruits, while there’s also a decent range of wines and beers to choose from. Small groups can book the Snug Room, a bar within the bar that’s as cute and cosy as it sounds.

It’s worth visiting this Austin favourite for its novelty value alone: it’s tucked in the old parking attendant booth of a garage, with the illuminated circular bar and cluster of sofas and tables wonderfully incongruous in their concrete surroundings. Most people return to Garage, though, for the chilled-out ambiance and the wonderful drinks. The menu follows a car theme, with vintage or classic cocktails, custom drinks – the bar’s signature creations – and refurbished, which is where you’ll find modern twists on classics.

At dullboy in Jersey City, it’s really more of a case of all play and no work – unless, of course, you’re one of the bartenders serving the expertly mixed cocktails. The literary themed bar has typewriters and framed quotations hanging on the wall, while the delicious (and often potent) drinks, cosy seating, low lighting and quirky decor encourage people to stay a while. There’s also an impressive food menu that goes way beyond typical bar fare, including brunch dishes like a breakfast burger and Florentine Benedict.

The Saloon is San Francisco’s oldest bar, established in 1861 and a rare survivor of the devastating 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires. These days the bar, in the North Beach or Little Italy neighbourhood, is particularly popular as a live music venue and has a reputation for showcasing the best blues musicians. You won’t find frills, and you won’t find a food menu, though that’s all part of the charm. Plus, the drinks are relatively cheap and the atmosphere is reliably fun.

McGillin's Olde Ale House claims to be the oldest continuously operating pub in Philadelphia. It opened in 1860, the year Abraham Lincoln was elected as president and before Philadelphia City Hall was built, and survived Prohibition. The building is beautiful inside and out, with huge decorative windows, an array of flags, stained glass and wooden beams. People also come here for the large beer selection, including many local ales.

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Styled like a speakeasy and reached via a ‘secret’ bookcase, Williams & Graham ticks all the boxes when it comes to novelty. There’s nothing naff about this bar within a bookstore, though. Its cocktails have won numerous awards, every drink is prepared to perfection and the service is impeccable. Expect seasonal creations among the classics, and the kind of warm, fuzzy atmosphere that makes you want to stay forever.

Tucked on the mezzanine level of the Topa Financial Center, Bar Leather Apron’s rather unlikely setting makes it feel like even more of a rare and wonderful find. This gem of a bar is all dim lighting and dark polished wood, with the intimate and cosy decor perfectly complemented by a sophisticated cocktail list and an extensive range of whiskies. Signature drinks include an award-winning twist on a Mai Tai, with raisin-infused rum, coconut water syrup, honey, absinthe and wood smoke.

The only things bitter and twisted about this hip Phoenix hangout are the bitters and the twists that garnish the drinks. Otherwise, it’s a rather joyous place to be, with a large room filled with banquette seating and colourful artwork. Drinks such as the signature Lemongrass Collins, with vodka, lemongrass, vanilla, lemon juice and ginger beer, have earned the bar several awards – and many fans. People also love the quirkier serves like the cute duck bath punch, an aromatic gin-based cocktail.

Named in honour of Boston's former town crier and first owner Jimmy Wilson, Bell in Hand Tavern has been going since 1795 and claims to be the oldest of its kind in the US. The tavern was known for its ale, which poured so thick that it was served in two mugs – one for the ale and one for the froth. Customers now can expect a less contentious (and more skilful) pour, with an impressive selection of craft beers complemented by hearty seafood dishes and sharing plates.

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In Portland’s bohemian-chic Pearl District, Teardrop Lounge is seen as a pioneer in the city’s cocktail scene, with a firm commitment to using the best spirits and ingredients to make the best craft drinks around. The central focus of the stylish, industrial, plant-filled space is a teardrop-shaped bar, where staff stir, swizzle and strain out drinks with flavour profiles from bright and crisp to deep and dark. Sit at the bar for a masterclass in mixing, or grab a seat on the pretty patio (pictured).

Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighbourhood is known for the childhood home of Martin Luther King Jr – now a museum – and it’s also becoming a hotspot for culture and nightlife thanks to bars 9 Mile Station. The indoor-outdoor bar, on the top floor of Ponce City Market, serves craft beer, cocktails and a fabulous weekend brunch with views over the city. It shares the rooftop with Skyline Park, where you can play vintage amusements, mini golf and more.

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PJ’s opened in 1914 as a bakery and restaurant, and managed to survive (and thrive during) Prohibition by masquerading as a furniture store – you can still see the secret password slot in the basement door, used to access a speakeasy. It then became a beer garden and, in the latest chapter of its eventful life, is known as one of the most fun places to hangout in the city, as well as a great place to see live music and enjoy some New Orleans–inspired food.

There’s been a Japp’s here since 1879, although back then it sold handcrafted wigs rather than cocktails. It later became a bar, going through several owners and finally closing in 2002 before reopening as Japp’s OTR in 2011. Founder Molly Wellmann, a renowned mixologist on the Cincinnati scene, has created a fun space that nevertheless takes its libations seriously, with classic cocktails drawn from the 18th century onwards.

This Milwaukee bar has been owned by the Skowronski family since opening in 1908, which is one of the things that loyal customers – and those lucky enough to be passing through – love about the place. Holler House is a proper old-school bar, where the welcome is as warm as the beer is cold. Its basement is home to the country’s oldest certified bowling alley, while the tavern’s walls are plastered with photos of famous faces who have visited, including Jack White (formerly of White Stripes) and the Eagles’ Joe Walsh.

There must be something about the ground that Attaboy sits on, because this was once the site of Milk & Honey, often attributed with leading the cocktail renaissance in the early 21st century. Now Attaboy has picked up the baton – or perhaps the stirrer – to become one of NYC’s most admired bars. It helps that it’s owned by Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy, who worked at the previous bar. But the real reason it’s so widely praised is the winning combination of a laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere and absolutely impeccable service and drinks.

As refreshing and timeless as its namesake cocktail, Julep has won quite a few accolades including Houston’s first national James Beard Award – for outstanding bar programme – in 2022. The space is elegant yet unpretentious, with a menu of cocktails inspired by the South and made with zingy herbs, florals, spices and sometimes vegetables. Creative concoctions include a vermouth with tarragon and an entire menu of Juleps from classic mint to one inspired by the Mexican drink tepache, made with pineapple.

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