I am a full-time traveling registered nurse, fitness enthusiast, and nutrition expert. Every morning I wake up intending to bring awareness of the importance of health and spiritual wellness, especially to the traveling community. At Messy Bun Traveler, we promote travel that allows the traveler to either kick-start, maintain, or enhance a healthy lifestyle. So whether you're someone who travels for business, travels for pleasure, or new to travel and looking for health advice while on the road, this blog is for you!
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People travel for numerous reasons. Some for history and culture exploration, and some just to let their hair down and have some fun.
So, if you’re the latter and looking to plan a party vacation, a bachelor or bachelorette party, a birthday, or just looking to have some fun after the sun goes down, here’s a list of the best party cities around the world!
From the east to the west coast, the United States has destinations where you can celebrate a great night with plenty of food, drinks, dancing, and just overall epic partying. If you’re looking to enjoy some great nightlife within the United States, here’s my list of the top 10 party cities!
I lived and worked the night shift in San Francisco for six months, and let me tell you, this city does not disappoint when it comes to the nightlife.
This city has a little something for everyone, from hole-in-the-wall bars with waterbeds and obscene décor to classy nightclubs.
If you’re looking for live bands playing or delicious dessert crepes at 1 in the morning, this is your go-to party destination.
Compare hotel prices in San Francisco here.
Currently living in Los Angeles, I can personally attest that this city truly comes alive at night. This city has the most lavish, stylish, must-see spots in the country. Hit up Hollywood for the crazy bar and club scene, or check out downtown Los Angeles for epic rooftop parties and fine dining!
Compare hotel prices in Los Angeles here.
No list would be complete without Las Vegas as a top nightlife city. Las Vegas isn’t nicknamed “sin city” for nothing; and is repeatedly voted as the world’s ultimate birthday, bachelor & bachelorette party destination.
Aside from the glitz and glamor of the hotels and casinos, some of the country’s most iconic nightclubs are located here.
Compare hotel prices in Las Vegas here.
Nashville is the capital of country music. Artists and musicians from all over the world come to this city with the hopes of making it big.
This means you’re never short of bars with live music, dancing, and rowdy nightlife. Nashville is the perfect weekend getaway! Grab your cowboy boots and head off to the District, a 20-block area that comes alive at night with clubs, bars, live bands, and epic parties!
Compare hotel prices in Nashville here.
Memphis is world-famous for it being the birthplace of rock n roll and forever home of the Blues. It’s the proud home of Elvis Presley, making music the beating heart of Memphis and an excellent city for nightlife.
The most famous street in Memphis for partying is Beale Street. You’ll find the most incredible dive bars, restaurants, and nightclubs here.
Compare hotel prices for Memphis here.
For decades, Palm Springs has held the reputation for its toned-down nightlife, but with the influx of new bars and younger crowds, Palm Springs has become a popular city for pool parties and evening festivities.
You’ll find everything from late-night dance parties to karaoke nights inspired by a speakeasy aesthetic in the Greater Palm Springs area. And every summer, you can head to Splash House! Splash House is a summer festival that takes place at three hotel resorts in Palm Springs!
Compare hotel prices in Palm Springs here.
The heart of San Diego’s nightlife is found in Downtown’s lively Gaslamp Quarter. Here, you’ll find yourself in a 16-block walking radius of epic bars, clubs, and restaurants. Some unique hot spots include international live shows, comedy clubs, and adults-only arcades.
Suppose you’re looking for the hub of some of the most excellent breweries on the east coast. In that case, Boston is very popular for beer connoisseurs.
There’s more than just beer in this city, however. I loved the nightlife in Boston, from the bumpin’ nightclubs and cabernet shows to the hotel rooftop parties.
New Orleans needs no introduction! This city has its own unique identity as being the city for the most epic bachelor and bachelorette parties in the world! A night out in the French Quarter can easily last until the sun starts to peak in the east.
If you’re looking to check an epic party experience off your bucket list, you must attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans!
No city in the United States has a wider variety of nightlife options than New York. From trendy cocktail lounges in SoHo and rooftop bars in midtown Manhattan to pub crawls in the East Village and beer gardens in Brooklyn, there are countless ways to enjoy a night out in the Big Apple.
Plus, many bars and clubs stay open until 4 am, meaning you can keep the party going nearly all night long.
London is a thriving European city with some of the most epic party and nightlife activities. Head to some of London’s world-class theaters, clubs, pub crawls, and dance clubs three stories high!
Barcelona is one of the world’s best party cities with jam-packed bars and clubs, boat parties out on the water, beach parties, and even music festivals in the summer months.
A night out in this city will not disappoint, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself heading back to your hotel after the sun has risen!
When it comes to the nightlife in Amsterdam, there are venues, dance festivals, and clubs to suit every taste! If you’re looking for a quieter party vibe, why not hit up the trendy cafes and wine bars throughout the city!
Mykonos is not for the faint of heart when it comes to partying. Some of the most notable clubs stay open 24 hours a day!
The dancing starts on the beaches during the day and ends in the clubs after the sun goes down. Mykonos is an island paradise in the Mediterranean and should not be overlooked.
Fun Fact: This is where Dustin and I shared our first kiss while partying in a nightclub in Mykonos! I was so surprised by his advance that I pushed him down, ha!
Hvar Town is one of Croatia’s top party islands. Here, you’ll be impressed by the country’s best bars and dance clubs, and chilled-out live music party spots. During the day, take a super fun booze cruise around the island before heading out to some of the best bars in town.
Bangkok is a major central hub for travelers. After-hours clubs are known to be open well past 5 in the morning. You’ll be bombarded with buckets (literally) of cocktails and epic party vibes. You’ll never be the same after experiencing the fiery nightlife of Bangkok!
Some of the best nightlife locations in Siem Reap are concentrated in Pub Street, a vibrant street filled with bars, international cuisines, and cheap booze to keep you going all night long!
These nightlife spots are easily accessible on foot (talk about epic pub crawls!) and often stay open well past 4 am!
Nightlife in San Juan del Sur is nothing short of unforgettable. San Juan del Sur has many fantastic bars, nightclubs, and beach parties well beyond the city’s iconic Sunday Funday. Dustin and I came here to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and it did not disappoint!
Lima, Peru, has immerged as a great party city in South America, especially when it comes to the nightlife scene. Head to the Miraflores or Barranco districts for the best bars, nightclubs, dance parties, and live music.
Ensenada is a large hub for cruise ship passengers looking for an awesome time in Mexico. My girlfriends and I did a bar-hopping tour through this city and did not disappoint! We had so much fun; we stayed well after the tour was over and almost missed our boat back to the U.S.! Oops!
If you’re looking for an incredible time in the Middle East, Bodrum, Turkey cannot go unnoticed. This hip beach town has so much to see and do during the day and comes alive at night! Hit up the many local bars and nightclubs or party out at sea on Club Catamaran!
Dubai has emerged as one of the best nightlife and party scenes in the world. It is home to some of the finest nightclubs and has something to offer everyone with every budget. Head to a party on a private yacht or party with the locals for a night out on the town!
Almost every destination in the world will have some form of nightlife and a thriving party vibe if you know what you’re looking for. Here are some other party cities I’d recommend if you’re looking for an all-around good time:
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