More than just a spot for a drink, cocktail bars are an experience. The artistry of a well-crafted cocktail, and the atmosphere of the bar, encourage patrons to slow down, sip and enjoy. Every city has trendy cocktail bars, but not all come through with an excellent all-around experience. You might think that New York City has the highest-rated cocktail bars in the U.S., but a new study by Upgraded Points reveals several other cities where cocktail bars truly shine.
Upgraded Points analyzed Yelp data from thousands of cocktail bars in America’s largest cities to determine the cities with the best cocktail bars. Their analysis also reveals the most cocktail bar-dense cities as well as the very best cocktail bar in each city.
Topping the list of cities with the highest-rated cocktail bars—with reviewers reporting tasty cocktails and an overall pleasant experience worthy of an average 4.63 out of 5 rating—is Cincinnati, Ohio. Coming in at a close second is Hartford, Connecticut with an average rating of 4.53. Next up with a tie at number three are Indianapolis, Indiana and Dayton, Ohio and a tie at number four between Springfield, Massachusetts and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Finally, at number five, NYC makes an appearance with an average cocktail bar rating of 4.37. While NYC has the most cocktail bars, they don’t always impress.
Upgraded points also calculated the cities with the most cocktail bars per 100,000 people, revealing the top five to be Durham, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; Omaha, Nebraska; Las Vegas, Nevada and San Antonio, Texas.
To check out the full list of rankings and find out the best cocktail bar in every major city, head over to the Upgraded Points website.