It's always 5 o'clock somewhere, and when happy hour rolls around in your city, you deserve the best of the best.
Whether you're looking for after-work drinks with coworkers, a romantic spot for your next date night, or a cool spot to bring family and friends, these cocktail lounges are sure to impress customers of all tastes.
See also: Rami Malek Reveals His Favorite Cocktail And What To Expect From 'Amsterdam'
Our editors across the country hand-crafted lists that define the very best of cocktail culture in their city, and we're sharing the best of the best with you. From Los Angeles to New York City, Atlanta to Chicago and everywhere between, these creative bartenders and extensive menus are worth a visit—even if that means a bit of travel.
Atlanta - Bar Margot
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75 14th Street NE / Website
Located inside the breathtaking Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Bar Margot serves delicious cocktails that offer modern twists on old-school favorites in a gorgeous setting. Our personal favorites are the Private Eyes Report, complete with Bulleit bourbon, coffee liqueur, espresso, maple vanilla and bitters; and the Penicillin 18, complete with Glenlivet 12, ginger, cinnamon honey syrup and lemon. Be sure to check out the full list of the best cocktail lounges in Atlanta.
Aspen - Caribou Club
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411 E. Hopkins Ave. / Website
The Caribou Club is the perfect spot to get your drink on. While the private club’s elegant dining room serves up culinary perfection from longtime chef Miles Angelo, members and their guests can also relish an unforgettable night paired with top-shelf wine and spirits in various rooms. Did we mention the space is complete with a full nightclub and dance floor? Whatever the mood, the Caribou Club has the space and sips to host the night of your dreams. Check out the full list of the best cocktail lounges in Aspen for more great spots!
Boston - Alibi
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215 Charles Street / Website
Feeling mischievous tonight? Grab some co-conspirators and head to the historic Charles Street jail for some late-night snacks and cocktails. Complete with the jail’s original bluestone floors, and remnants of the bricks and bars, Alibi serves up drinks that nod to the building’s scandalous past, like Rum Away With Me, a mixture of pineapple rum and lime; and the Spicy Inmate, which features ghost tequila and watermelon. Check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in Boston for more!
Dallas - Bowen House
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2614 Boll Street / Website
With its historic home in the heart of Uptown Dallas, this contemporary cocktail house is a hip spot for any gathering or celebrations. Enjoy a fine old fashioned or classic high ball, though we suggest getting cozy with a creative cocktail like the '90s Baby with vodka, dry curacao, cranberry gin, sweet lime and citric acid. For more delicious drinks, check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in Dallas!
D.C. - Denson Liquor Bar
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600 F Street NW / Website
Situated a stone's throw away from Capitol Hill, Denson Liquor Bar is sure to have any cocktail connoisseurs’ taste buds buzzing. With back-lit liquor shelving and private booths in tow, the bar compliments sips like the Bridgetown—a mux of dark rum, velvet Falernum, hints of pineapple and honey—with delectable charcuterie boards, small plates options and sweet fixes. For more great spots, check out the full list of Modern Luxury’s picks for best cocktail lounges in D.C.!
Hamptons - Le Bilboquet
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1 Long Wharf / Website
Le Bilboquet’s light pastel wicker chairs, simple table settings and woven basket light fixtures make for a relaxing brunch or afternoon cocktail spot by the marina. Cool off with a light and refreshing gin tonic garnished with a fresh lemon slice, grapes and a sprig of thyme. Or perhaps you prefer something with a bit more of a kick like the spicy margarita accompanied with a preserved blood orange slice and Tajin rim, or an afternoon pick-me-up espresso martini. Check out this list of best cocktail spots in the Hamptons for more!
Hawaii - Aloha Beer Company
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700 Queen Street, Honolulu, 544.1605; 220 S. King Street, Ste. 101, Honolulu / Website
With its goal of inspiring awe for life and seeking aloha, you can be sure to find something local here. Try the blonde—it’s straw-colored with a light, crisp malt flavor and a delicate hop finish. Look out for its new location coming soon to Waikiki. Check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in O’ahu, too!
Eight Row Flint - Houston
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1039 Yale Street / Website
If you have a taste for tacos and cocktails, Eight Row Flint is ready to meet all your hangry and thirsty needs. Specializing in whiskey, beer and tacos, this bar offers an extensive drink and bites menu. Head to Eight Row Flint for brunch Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and grab $4 dollar mimosas with four juices to choose from. For more great lounges in Houston, check out the full list!
LA - Bar Lis
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1541 Wilcox Ave. / Website
Immerse yourself in fine spirits, premium liquor and sophisticated bistro-style bites with sweeping sunset views and French ambiance atop the Thompson hotel in the heart of Hollywood. Keep the party going by checking out the full list of best cocktail lounges in Los Angeles!
Miami - Broken Shaker
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2727 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach / Website
Escape to a serene oasis in the heart of Miami Beach in a hidden tree-lined patio at the Broken Shaker. Dig into small bites and sip on handcrafted cocktails during a happy hour with live music and mingling. The vintage furniture and luscious atmosphere will give you an evening of relaxation and happiness. Check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in Miami, too!
NYC - Center Bar
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10 Columbus Circle, Fourth Floor / Website
This chic, contemporary lounge at the Time Warner Center is the perfect place to slip away for a few drinks. Here, the cocktail menu is extensive and thorough. We recommend the Cliff Dweller made with Casa Dragones tequila, aperol, Cointreau and lime. For more options for a night on the town, check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in NYC!
Orange County - The Blind Rabbit
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440 S Anaheim Blvd #104 / Website
This cozy, dimly-lit speakeasy comes with a set of rules, including "please enter through the sake barrels and exit through the bookcase." The Blind Rabbit in Anaheim’s Packing District invites guests to follow down the rabbit hole and experience the evening through a secret door, followed by imaginative cocktails and elevated American bar food. Check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in Orange County!
Palm Beach - Boulud Bar
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301 Australian Ave. / Website
Tucked inside The Brazilian Court Palm Beach lies the newly expanded bar at Café Boulud Palm Beach. Infused with 1920s glamour and Spanish Colonial architecture, it’s the perfect spot to grab a drink (or two!) before or after dinner. Choose your own flavor from its inventive cocktail list, or keep it simple with its craft beers on tap. For more delicious drinks in Palm Beach, check out the full list of best cocktail bars in the area!
Philadelphia - Hop Sing Laundromat
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1029 Race Street / Website
Nestled behind an unmarked gate in Philadelphia’s Chinatown lies Hop Sing Laundromat—an incredibly secretive bar with a strict dress code to go with the stiff drinks. After you buzz in at the entrance, an energetic host leads you upstairs to the windowless, ornate candle-lit room, where a nickel-covered bar serves as a stunning centerpiece. Sip one of their meticulously-made cocktails like the Esta Tierra Es Tuyawe with smoky mezcal, flower and egg whites. For more Philly hot spots, check out the full list of best cocktail lounges!
San Diego - Tahona
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2412 San Diego Ave. / Website
As the epicenter of mezcal culture in San Diego, Tahona wows with more than 120 types of mezcal and a Oaxacan-inspired menu to be enjoyed in a speakeasy-hidden bar. Check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in San Diego for more beautiful haunts!
San Francisco - Bourbon & Branch
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501 Jones Street / Website
This swanky bar is historically rooted in the Prohibition era, possessing the ambiance of an actual speakeasy, where libations of hand-selected merit, house-made juices and purees, and an organized cocktail menu set each beverage apart. Enjoy a private experience in the hidden library, or take your interest a step further with The Beverage Academy's hands-on workshop where enthusiasts can learn how to concoct the perfect cocktail, every time. Check out this list of best cocktail lounges in San Francisco for more!
Silicon Valley - Vino Locale
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431 Kipling Street, Palo Alto / Website
Looking for a romantic night on the town? Vino Locale Wine Garden & Kitchen is just the place. This Palo Alto staple serves up an ever-changing array of sumptuous wine and appetizing bites, ensuring each visit is an experience of its own. Nosh on lavish charcuterie boards, shareable plates and entrees such as roasted salmon and sirloin shish kabobs in an intimate garden adorned with glowing lights and blooms—capturing the very essence of life in wine country. Check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in Silicon Valley for more!
Scottsdale - Cafe Monarch
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6939 E. First Ave. / Website
The prix fixe menu changes weekly, but you’ll always be given the best wine pairings. All servers are certified sommeliers who participate in weekly wine tastings to ensure optimal pairing recommendations. For more nights out in Scottsdale, check out the full list of best cocktail lounges in the area!
Photography by: KatieSik / Getty
