Summer nights, bachelorette season, rooftop cocktails… if there was ever a perfect time for a girls’ night out, it’s right now. And according to a new study, Las Vegas is one of the best places in the country to do just that.
But surprisingly, Vegas didn’t take the top spot. That honor goes to New Orleans, which is practically built for a good time.
Let’s break down the best (and worst) U.S. cities for a night out, based on everything from drink prices and hotel ratings to restaurant quality and nightclub density.
| Rank | City | State | Index score (/100) |
| 1 | New Orleans | Louisiana | 73.04 |
| 2 | Las Vegas | Nevada | 72.30 |
| 3 | St. Louis | Missouri | 72.20 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | Arizona | 68.78 |
| 5 | Atlanta | Georgia | 68.72 |
| 6 | Orlando | Florida | 67.54 |
| 7 | San Francisco | California | 67.50 |
| 8 | Miami | Florida | 67.49 |
| 9 | Portland | Oregon | 65.96 |
| 10 | Salt Lake City | Utah | 64.81 |
Top 3 cities for an unforgettable night out
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
This party-loving city ranked #1 overall, with:
- 96 nightclubs per 100,000 people — more than 4x the national average
- A high hotel rating of 8.09/10
- A solid beer price of $9.63
- Restaurants averaging 4.29 stars on Tripadvisor
In other words, New Orleans is giving main character energy all night long.
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
Our home turf isn’t far behind — Vegas came in second, with:
- 79 nightclubs per 100,000 people
- An average beer price of $9.58, which is below the national average
- A decent hotel rating of 7.73/10
- Plus: wine lovers, rejoice — a glass here averages $10.01 (12% cheaper than the U.S. average)
3. St. Louis, Missouri
A dark horse in the nightlife game, St. Louis scores big with:
- A whopping 964 restaurants per 100,000 people
- An affordable beer price of $9.32
- An index score of 72.2 out of 100
Other cities that made the top 10
These spots also bring the vibe for a fabulous night out:
- Scottsdale, AZ – Beautiful restaurants + lower hotel prices
- Atlanta, GA – Tons of hotels and walkable nightlife
- Orlando, FL – More restaurants than Disney characters
- San Francisco, CA – Nightclubs and top-tier public transport
- Miami, FL – High bar ratings + cheap taxis
- Portland, OR – Hidden gem for foodies
- Salt Lake City, UT – Affordable beers + low taxi fares
And the worst city for going out?
Sorry, Chesapeake, Virginia — you ranked dead last.
With just 8 nightclubs per 100,000 people, pricey beer ($10.73), and hotel ratings barely over 7/10, it’s giving “quiet night in.”
Also in the bottom 3:
- New York City (yep… it’s expensive)
- Yonkers, NY
How the rankings were calculated
This study came from online liquor store The Liquor Bros, who analyzed 13 nightlife-related factors across U.S. cities with populations over 200,000. Metrics included:
- Price of beer and wine
- Number of bars, clubs, and hotels per capita
- Restaurant and hotel ratings
- Public transportation scores
- Taxi fares, and more
Each city got an index score out of 100 — giving us a data-backed list of where to plan your next big night out.
Nora, COO of The Liquor Bros, has commented,
“Whether you’re planning a night out with friends, celebrating a birthday, or organizing a bachelorette party, it’s hard to know where to start when choosing the perfect city for your big night out.
“By looking at factors from all stages of the average night out, including restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, casinos, and transport, this study will hopefully make your decision much easier. Whether your focus is on affordability, hotel ratings, or restaurant quality, this list has the best of the best. With such a huge range of cities in different states and regions appearing in the top ten, there really is something for everybody.
“You can have a great time in any city when you’re surrounded by friends, but if you want a change of scenery, or have a special occasion coming up, consider visiting one of these top ranking cities for an unforgettable night.”
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