The 20 Best Hotel Bars in America

The Copper Grouse at the Taconic (Manchester, Vermont)

This tavern is a fun mix of modern and old-school classics, many influenced by American history and literature. You'll find both local Vermont craft beers and artisanal cocktails here and a cool exhibition-style kitchen, but a major draw is the fireplace and wraparound porch, both popular gathering spots. 

Capitol Grille at the Hermitage Hotel (Nashville, TN)

This spot in the beautifully restored Hermitage Hotel is a great location for upscale takes on regional bites and southern favorites, but fun touches like the art deco bathrooms, decadently elegant décor, and well-crafted cocktails in a cozy setting keep locals and visitors alike lingering for hours.

Skyfall Lounge at Delano (Las Vegas)

The former Mix Lounge was reborn as Skyfall, with 180-degree rooftop views of the Las Vegas strip and bites from Chef Alain Ducasse's adjacent Rivea, not to mention gorgeously crafted cocktails and the perfect setting for people watching.

SODA Bar at NYLO Dallas South Side (Dallas)

NYLO’s rooftop SODA Bar boasts one of the most coveted views of the Dallas skyline. From the infinity pool overlooking an unfettered view of downtown, and fire pit for the few nights a year when you might need a sweater in Texas, it is a great date spot.

Nick’s Cove (Tomales Bay, California)

The restaurant and bar at Nick's Cove has a long history on the coast, where it has served as a roadhouse and hotel serving up local seafood, strong cocktails, and cozy cottages since the 1930's. In 2007 the bar was restored and now resembles an upscale hunting lodge complete with giant fireplace and game trophies on the walls. Bar Manager Danny Martin recently added some new spring cocktails to the menu that have been killing it, especially the ones featuring local citrus like The Triad with Square One Bergamot Vodka, kumquat, lemon, lychee, tarragon, and Navarro verjus; and his newest Croft Cocktail, the Death in the Afternoon, which features Flor de Cana Rum, grapefruit, lime, maraschino, cucumber foam, and mint.  

The Commons Club at Virgin Hotels Chicago (Chicago)

The Commons Club is a dynamic hybrid of bar/lounge, laid-back study, and restaurant with “exclusivity for all” — its mantra — and with heartfelt service at its core. It is open to hotel guests and locals, making it feel like a private members club, but without the fees and red ropes. One of the coolest things about it is the room itself — the vaulted ceiling is the original from the Dearborn Bank that once occupied the space. Other traditional architectural and design pieces are complimented by the ultra-modern oval-shaped bar in the middle of the room. It connects directly to The Funny Library, which is a casual lounge space of sofas, desks, and a room-size round couch. The cocktails themselves are stunning and guests get to try them for free every night from 7–8 p.m. during complimentary happy hour. 

The Gage Hotel's White Buffalo Bar (Marathon, Texas)

Imagine driving down a dusty highway, with miles and miles of untouched, pristine natural beauty all around. In this 6,192-square-mile county, you will not find one three-way stop sign. The area, near Big Bend National Park, is so remote, you can actually see the Milky Way (like really, really see it). As you are driving down this highway with nothing and no one around, like a mirage, a gorgeous historic hotel rises in the distance as you approach the small town of Marathon, Texas. The famous Gage Hotel, a laid-back luxury hotel built in 1917, feels more like you are staying at a friend's amazing ranch. When you dust off your boots, step inside to the hotel's famous White Buffalo Bar, named after the albino buffalo head that perches above the patrons. At the bar, you will see old-school ranchers and urban tourists mingling with old-timey locals. 

Top of the Mark at InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco (San Francisco)

Located on the 19th floor of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, the world-renowned Top of the Mark sky lounge affords a near 360-degree vista of San Francisco with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, as well as Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf. During World War II, servicemen would meet and toast the Golden Gate Bridge before shipping out, believing this good-luck ritual would bring them safely home. Wives and sweethearts would gather in the northwest corner of the lounge to watch their loved ones leave for war, earning this famous spot the nickname Weepers’ Corner. During the war, servicemen would buy and leave a bottle in the care of the bartender so the next member of their squadron could enjoy a free drink; the only condition was that the last soldier to drink from the bottle had to replace it. 

The Big 4 at The Scarlet Huntington (Nob Hill, San Francisco)

Big 4 celebrates a 1920's style and ambiance, featuring live piano music nightly and décor that channels the city's Golden Era with a setting that takes you back to the time of dapper speakeasies and railroad tycoons. Big 4 is inspired by and pays homage to the four famous Pacific railroad tycoons — Charles Crocker, Collis Huntington, Leland Stanford, and Mark Hopkins, who also built their mansions atop Nob Hill. 

The Jane Ballroom (New York City)

The Jane Ballroom is an intimate hideaway to admire. Grab a chair or comfy sofa and take in the elaborate fireplace, salvaged from Belgium, and the rest of the room’s unique trinkets, from modern art and velvet-draped windows to a stuffed ram and oversized disco ball.

The Sazerac Bar in The Roosevelt New Orleans (New Orleans)

Known around the world as one of the most iconic bars in America, it is named after what many consider to be the world's first mixed drink. The Sazerac Bar carries as much history as its potable namesake. In the past near century, the bar has witnessed New Orleans drinking culture transform with the city, and it was the favored watering hole for infamous Gov. Huey P. Long, who once even flew a Sazerac bartender to New York City to teach them how to properly mix a Ramos Gin Fizz. There is even a bullet hole in one of the walls from when a group of rowdy men had so much fun one dropped his gun and it discharged. Good times.

Milwaukee Branded at The Iron Horse Hotel (Milwaukee)

The Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee's motorcycle-centric, upscale independent hotel, managed by Aparium Hotel Group, offers travelers and locals alike a truly unique Milwaukee bar experience, as the property showcases motorcycle-mayhem-styled décor in Branded. Guests can enjoy boozy cocktails, such as the Wisconsin Style 1907 Old Fashioned, at the traditional long Milwaukee-style bar, or sit on high top tables, where all furniture is found at flea markets throughout Wisconsin. 

HMF at The Breakers Palm Beach (Palm Beach, Florida)

A spot that embodies timeless American glamour and the cool of modern nostalgia, while reflecting the iconic character of the legendary resort in which it resides. Designed as a modern ode to the Palm Beach cocktail parties of the '50s and '60s, it offers a fresh take on cocktail culture and a blend of highlife, then and now, in an exciting atmosphere that evokes a bygone era. It's totally Mad Men. 

Jade Bar at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain and Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona

You may visit Sanctuary to relax and restore — there's endless amazing spa and fitness options on the property — but when you are ready to cap all that healthy living with a sexy cocktail and a sexier view, head to their Jade Bar.

The shaded patio has a gorgeous gas fireplace and amazing views of the Paradise Valley. Their drinks are created with farm-fresh local fruits, herbs, vegetables, and juices, so you can feel good about yourself while enjoying their long list of cocktail creations.

B&O American Brasserie at Hotel Monaco (Baltimore)

When you inherit a space as magical as the historic former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad headquarters, you've got to do it justice. The bar kept the building's most stunning architectural features intact while updating the space with contemporary design elements and nostalgic touches, like chairs and table lamps from original B&O dining cars. Brendan Dorr, head bartender at Kimpton's B&O American Brasserie, brings an artistic approach to the craft of making cocktails, using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients as well as a flair of creativity with every creation. Dorr is also is a co-founder of the Forgotten Cocktail Club, which hosts pop-up events with a focus on cocktails from the pre-Prohibition era. 

Spoke & Steele, in Le Meridien (Indianapolis)

The restaurant and bar really embodies the cultural revival that the Midwestern city is experiencing. The bar itself is best-known for their bespoke drinks and customized barrel-aged cocktails, which are rotated each month, but the bar's design is sleek, yet approachable, and reflects the city's deep historic roots by way of the IndyCar, the state's most notable sports creation that is still cherished and celebrated by locals today via the legendary Indy 500 race. The vintage race car theme is apparent in every aspect of the restaurant and bar, with bar stools and booths replicating former race-car bucket-style seats, bar taps that are made from old gear shifts, and retro-car headlights that light the bar and dining room. The bar is also a celebration of the all things local, and restoring Indianapolias' city pride; Executive Chef Tyson Peterson sources from local farmers, and Beverage Director Tyler Burns utilizing only Indianapolis-made whiskeys in his cocktails.

The Sun Dial at Westin Peachtree Plaza, (Atlanta)

The Sun Dial is an iconic, rotating bar located atop The Westin Peachtree Plaza, 723 feet above Atlanta — providing unparalleled 360-degree views of the evolving skyline, making it a great central gathering point with craft-inspired beverages.

Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort (Oahu)

Located steps away from the beautiful sands of Waikiki Beach and boasting a panoramic view of the iconic Diamond Head, the oceanfront Mai Tai Bar is the picture-perfect setting for sipping your favorite umbrella drink or the iconic Royal Scratch Mai Tai. Child star Shirley Temple made headlines when she stayed at the hotel in the 1930s, and the Mai Tai Bar is the renowned spot where the drink named after her was invented. Just ask them to add a little booze to it. 

The Rooftop at McCarren Hotel & Pool (Brooklyn)

The McCarren Rooftop is a great spot, with cool cocktails in the warmer months and a hot lineup of weekly events. Guests and locals alike revel in live music and DJ sets while surrounded by panoramic views of McCarren Park and the Manhattan skyline.

Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails at Motif Seattle (Seattle)

Nestled in the heart of downtown Seattle, at Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails, the rooftop bar of Motif Seattle, it's not just about the food, it's about the atmosphere. The rooftop features a huge floor shuffleboard, brightly colored ping pong tables, hip seating options, ranging from hanging wooden swings to chairs, and much more.

In the summer, Frolik hosts a concert series, and in the fall and winter, the bar makes up for chilly Seattle days with outdoor heaters, boozy coffee drinks, fire pits, and fireplaces.