Las Vegas is the best city in America for partying in 2024
There are multiple factors that people may consider important when planning their nights out in the US. These factors include the number of bars, average hotel prices, average drink prices, activities available, the weather, the amount of casinos, and a few other metrics. In a recent study (January 2024) we analysed the top 100 most populous cities in America to find out which cities are most loved by both Americans and tourists alike.
Key Takeaways
- Las Vegas crowned the best city in America for partying
- San Francisco is the second-best party city in America
- Portland, Cincinnati and Miami all make the top ten
In this article, we present you the results from our study.
Top 10 Party Cities in the US
1 – Las Vegas
The city of Las Vegas is a renowned destination for partying. It is famous for its extravagant casinos such as the Casino at the Bellagio, Caesars Palace or the Venetian. Vegas is also home to some of the best nightclubs in America, such as Omnia (Caesars Palace), Hakkasan (MGM Grand) and Marquee (The Cosmopolitan), meaning there's plenty of choice for partygoers. Vegas also has world-class entertainment such as Cirque Du Soleil or concerts at the Sphere. Vegas has over 340 bars listed on Trip Advisor, which is 51 for every 100,000 of the population. Vegas also has, on average, lower hotel prices ($110).
Party Score: 40.39 out of 60
2 – San Francisco
San Francisco is famous for its picturesque Golden Gate Bridge, diverse neighbourhoods, and thriving tech scene. However, San Francisco is also a great location for those who want to party; with 34 bars per 100,000 people, it’s not far behind Vegas; the average beer price ($7) is also cheaper than Vegas as well. Some of the party hotspots include 1015 Folsom, Temple Night Club and Monarch. All of which serve a vast range of people due to the diverse range of music that can be found across their multiple rooms. For a more chilled-out experience, tourists and locals alike can explore attractions like Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz Island before heading back to the trendy bars and clubs. Furthermore, hotels average around $129 a night, making partying more affordable if you’re not local.
Party Score: 37.10 out of 60
3 – New York
New York City is a bustling metropolis known for its iconic landmarks like Times Square, Statue of Liberty, and Central Park. New York City has over a thousand bars and offers over 1600 activities for people to engage with. Whether you like trendy jazz bars, underground hip hop scenes, house or drum and bass, there is something for everyone. Some of the best places to visit for partygoers include Avant Gardner, Nowadays and Public Arts. New York also offers diverse experiences, including Broadway shows, renowned restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions. Drinks are slightly more expensive, with average beer prices around $8. However, more expensive drinks are expected in one of the world's biggest cities.
Party Score: 37.01 out of 60
4 – Portland
Portland is a city known for its hipster culture, craft breweries, thriving food scene and abundance of attractions for visitors. Nightlife in Portland thrives, with 47 bars per 100,000 of the population this is not far behind the figure for Las Vegas (51). Some notable party hotspots include Old Town Chinatown which has a high concentration of bars such as Stag PDX and the Dixie Tavern, other areas include Downtown Portland and the Central Eastside. Portland has average hotel prices of $119 per night, which is great value for money, and has 134 natural beauty spots or parks for visitors to experience for a bit of a change of pace and to ease the hangovers.
Party Score: 36.88 out of 60
5 – Orlando
Orlando is home to world-renowned theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld. However, Orlando also offers a vibrant nightlife scene, with numerous (60 for every 100,000 people) bars such as the Wall Street Plaza, clubs such as EVE or The Beacham, and entertainment venues to ensure an unforgettable celebration. The average beer cost in Orlando is $6, which is reasonable, especially for an already thriving tourist destination. Orlando also has the perfect climate with warm temperatures averaging 73.7 degrees throughout the year.
Party Score: 35.79 out of 60
6 – Cincinnati
Cincinnati is a city in Ohio that offers a unique blend of urban energy and Midwestern charm. Parties can enjoy pub crawls at bars within Over -the-Rhine which is a great neighbourhood for craft beers and cocktails, dine at trendy eateries, and experience the city's rich cultural heritage. Cincinnati has 69 bars per 100,000 residents, which is the most out of any city, and to compliment that, average beer prices are stated to be around $4, making it a great choice if you would like to enjoy the nightlife.
Party Score: 35.59 out of 60
7 – New Orleans
New Orleans is an exceptional city for partying. The city's iconic Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is a hotspot for celebrations, offering a vast range of bars, to which there are 47 per 100,000 people, live music venues, and bustling nightlife. New Orleans has a great party scene that compliments the vibrant jazz and blues music scene with venues such as Preservation Hall and Tipitinas. Trip Advisor lists 598 different activities in New Orleans, so there is plenty to do. New Orleans also hosts legendary festivals such as Mardi Gras, providing unforgettable experiences for visitors and locals.
Party Score: 35.58 out of 60
8 – Miami
Miami is renowned for its vibrant beaches and glamorous nightlife. It is a fantastic destination for parties seeking a combination of relaxation and excitement, much like the rest of Florida Miami benefits from the fantastic climate meaning average temperatures are around 77.6 degrees. With venues such as Club Space which provides an eclectic range of music for every raver. There is also LIV which is Miami Beaches most famous club, but be ready to shell out for this one as it’s on the expensive side, but you might bump into one of your favourite celebs. Groups can also soak up the sun on South Beach, enjoy beach parties, and revel in the city's energetic nightlife scene. Hotels average $160 a night, which is $7 above the average ($153.55); however, with 611 activities to partake in, Miami has something for everyone.
Party Score: 34.75 out of 60
9 – Seattle
Seattle, known for its vibrant music scene and cultural vibe, is a fantastic city for those seeking an unforgettable nightlife experience. The city is a haven for music enthusiasts, with a thriving live music scene that caters to various tastes, from indie rock to electronic beats. The diverse array of bars and clubs (41 per 100,000) in neighbourhoods like Capitol Hill and Belltown offer everything from laid-back pubs to high-energy dance floors, ensuring that everyone can find their preferred nightlife setting. Average hotel prices are also relatively low at around $158.
Party Score: 32.85 out of 60
10 – Honolulu
Honolulu, with its breath-taking beaches and vibrant island atmosphere, transforms into a lively party destination as the sun sets. The mean temperature of Hawaii is a great benefit as well with is being around 74.2 across the year. The city's nightlife is a unique blend of Hawaiian hospitality and international flair, creating an energetic and diverse party scene. Waikiki Beach, in particular, comes alive with a variety of beachfront bars and clubs, offering a perfect mix of tropical vibes and pulsating beats.
Party Score: 31.89 out of 60
Best US cities for Bars
Those are the top 10 cities for partying overall, but if you are just looking for a party location which is packed full of exciting and diverse bars then the top 10 cities with the most bars per 100,000 people are as follows:
City | Bars per 100,000 |
Cincinnati | 69.46 |
Pittsburgh | 60.75 |
Orlando | 60.11 |
Las Vegas | 51.81 |
Cleveland | 50.88 |
New Orleans | 47.33 |
Portland | 47.24 |
Boston | 45.34 |
Tacoma | 44.19 |
Atlanta | 43.48 |
Best Cities for when you're on a budget
If you're looking to go out partying but worried about your purse or wallet look no further than these cities which have the cheapest hotels if you are travelling from out of town and the lowest beer prices.
Cheapest US Cities
City | Hotel Price for one night ($) |
Tulsa | 99 |
Garland | 102 |
Fort Wayne | 105 |
Corpus Christi | 105 |
Wichita | 107 |
San Antonio | 107 |
Lubbock | 108 |
Omaha | 109 |
Plano | 109 |
Bakersfield | 109 |
US Cities with Lowest Beer Prices
City | Beer Price ($) |
Greensboro | 3 |
Santa Ana | 3 |
Toledo | 3.5 |
Mesa | 3.83 |
Tulsa | 4 |
Lincoln | 4 |
Cincinnati | 4 |
Winston-Salem | 4 |
Newark | 4 |
Aurora | 4 |
Methodology
City | Bars per 100,000 | Average hotel price (per night $) | Average beer price 0.5l draft | Activities listed on TripAdvisor (attractions and tours) | Nature spots and parks | Mean Temperature | Party Score |
Las Vegas | 7.46 | 9.00 | 3.75 | 5.94 | 5.40 | 8.85 | 40.39 |
San Francisco | 4.99 | 7.67 | 4.29 | 4.50 | 8.20 | 7.46 | 37.10 |
New York | 2.06 | 4.13 | 3.75 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 7.07 | 37.01 |
Portland | 6.80 | 8.32 | 4.62 | 1.20 | 8.93 | 7.01 | 36.88 |
Orlando | 8.65 | 5.69 | 5.00 | 3.23 | 3.87 | 9.35 | 35.79 |
Cincinnati | 10.00 | 7.98 | 7.50 | 0.30 | 2.87 | 6.94 | 35.59 |
New Orleans | 6.81 | 7.50 | 6.32 | 3.67 | 2.40 | 8.88 | 35.58 |
Miami | 5.76 | 6.19 | 5.00 | 3.75 | 4.20 | 9.85 | 34.75 |
Seattle | 6.01 | 6.27 | 3.75 | 1.66 | 8.47 | 6.70 | 32.85 |
Honolulu | 4.82 | 3.63 | 3.75 | 3.68 | 6.60 | 9.42 | 31.89 |
Tucson | 2.90 | 7.50 | 5.00 | 0.28 | 6.73 | 8.96 | 31.37 |
Atlanta | 6.26 | 8.32 | 4.29 | 1.18 | 3.07 | 8.08 | 31.20 |
Tampa | 5.31 | 7.62 | 4.62 | 0.75 | 2.87 | 9.47 | 30.63 |
San Antonio | 1.51 | 9.25 | 6.00 | 0.74 | 3.87 | 8.91 | 30.28 |
Pittsburgh | 8.75 | 7.02 | 6.00 | 0.25 | 1.67 | 6.57 | 30.26 |
Data was collected for each metric above and then scored out of 10 based. For the number of bars per 100,000, the largest number received a score of 10, with each subsequent number receiving a score lower. For prices where the lower figure is better, the lowest figure received the score of 10. These scores were then added up to create a ranking of the best cities in America for parties.
The top 100 most populated cities were picked for this study.
