These Cities Have the Most Top-Rated Bars

We all have our favorite bars, but is yours truly one of the best? A new study from Upgraded Points looked at Yelp reviews for bars specifically described as “cocktail bars,” comparing average star ratings in the 100 largest metro areas throughout the country. As a result, it uncovered what it feels are the U.S. destinations with the most highest-rated bars — and when you think cocktail culture, you probably don’t think about the city that came out on top.

Cincinnati, Ohio, reigned supreme, with the most top-rated cocktail bars, followed by Hartford Connecticut; Dayton, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana, tying for third place; Springfield, Massachusetts, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, tying for fourth place; and rounding out the top five spots, New York City, New York.

The study also looked at the destinations with the most overall cocktail bars per capita, regardless of how well those bars were rated, and found Durham, North Carolina, offers nearly eight cocktail bars per 100,000 residents. New Orleans came in at an unsurprising second spot, followed by Omaha, Nebraska; Las Vegas, Nevada; and San Antonio, Texas.

“This study is inspired by those who elevate simple ingredients to something extraordinary,” said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief, Upgraded Points. “We pay tribute to the cities that house the pinnacles of cocktail creativity, the communities that support them, and travelers looking for a great place to grab a cocktail.”