In the world of bars and pubs, there’s a lot to choose from. But when it comes to the best, we think the best ones are often under-the-radar spots that offer welcoming atmospheres and intimate entertainment that bigger, busier establishments can’t always match. Whether they’re serving up drinks with a twist or dishes like shrimp po’boys, these charming Irish, English, and American-style watering holes deliver the goods, and we’ve rounded up 12 of them to prove it.
New York City dominates this list, taking two of the top five slots with spots like Double Chicken Please and Sullivan’s Tavern. But the rest of the country does well, too. The first-place spot goes to The Burren, which checks all the right boxes for a good Irish pub—it’s full of hearty Irish eats (think sticky toffee pudding, corned beef Reuben fritters, and more) and hosts a regular rotation of traditional Irish musicians in its multiple rooms.
A tavern in Minnesota’s Twin Cities takes the next spot, with an interior that’s an odd fusion of polka bar and piano bar with Midwestern niceness and friendliness. But the real highlight here is the swanky wooden bar, which measures nearly 75 feet long and features leather furnishings for a cozy appearance.
The final three slots in the top five are taken by New Orleans, Chicago, and Los Angeles, respectively. Check out the rest of the best bars in the USA here, along with a ranking of the best bars outside the United States, based on votes from 260 drinks experts from countries and territories across North America.
