When we say ‘party city’ – we’re not talking about a place that’s good for a few pints and a couple of shots if you’re feeling adventurous. We’re talking about places where going out is an event. That sense of anticipation in a packed queue. The feeling of entering a rooftop bar, a beach party, or a dimly lit club filled with exotic outfits and exotic people. Whether it’s for a stag, hen, birthday, New Year’s Eve, or a random Wednesday evening these cities are the best destinations to party for everyone looking to have a good time.
Cancun, Mexico
Cancun, Mexico, is a little slice of heaven on the far west-coast of Mexico. Walk as west as you can go in Cancun and you’ll hit ‘Zona Hotelera’ also known to the locals as the ‘Tourist Zone’ or more commonly known to travellers as the ‘Party Zone’.
This thin sliver of land is home to Cancun’s wildest clubs, and for the first two weeks of March (Spring Break for U.S students), it’s a free-for-all when it comes to boozing and late nights.
- For an intense partying experience go during Spring Break; for a more chilled version, then June-September is your best bet with temperatures that never dip below 23°C.
- When to go: The last week of February and the first week of March is Spring Break so Cancun goes wild! But expect big crowds.
- Club recommendation: Cocobongo is a classic, so expect a queue. Once inside you can expect anything from hip-hop, dance, trance, and pop plus confetti, balloons, and foam parties.
- Bar recommendation: The Blue Gecko Cantina is easy vibes with classic American-Mexican food on offer as well as cheap-as-chips deals on beers and tequila.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is known for a few things: canals, the red light district, bikes, and certain legal substances that your parents warned you about. Amsterdam is a nightlife city with an eclectic mixture of clubs hosting some of the world’s biggest and up-and-coming DJs, the perfect destination to get lost in the music and emerge refreshed.
A fan favourite, Shelter, is located across the river from the city centre in Noord, a vast subterranean club located in the basement of A’DAM Tower, it offers a more diverse club experience than the usual fare.
- When to go: During June-August there are some amazing ing festivals in the city such as the Guilty Pleasures Weekender and the DIYnamic festival.
- Club recommendation: De School is, yep you guessed it, is located in an old school building. Part club, part exhibition space, part lecture theatre – it’s got a bit of something for everyone and offers an intimate environment that’s still big enough to get lost in.
- Bar recommendation: Café Soundgarden was founded in the 90’s with a strong grunge aesthetic still running through it, expect to pound beers while discussing Smiths B-sides on the sunny terrace which overlooks a canal.
New York City, New York, USA
Did you know New York City is the closest US City to the UK? Okay, Boston edges it but only slightly, but the point remains with only a seven and a half hour flight you could be in one of the greatest cities in the world.
New York clubs have set a precedent for the rest of the world when it comes to nightlife, the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s trends all came out of New York, and each influenced a generation. Today you’ll find no exceptions to that rule; the culture has grown out of the city into neighbourhoods like Brooklyn, Bushwick, and the Bronx for a more diverse offering than you’ll find in Manhattan.
- When to go: There are amazing parties across the city during New York Fashion Week.
- Club recommendation: Experience the surreal and fantastical at the House of Yes where aerial performers will fly above you, chaotic dance-floors filled with opulent outfits will surround you, and the experience will take you over – just say yes.
- Bar recommendation: The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog is exactly like its name, perplexing, amusing, and fun. Expect Irish-American bartenders to resurrect long-forgotten cocktails for the crowd’s pleasure
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
You’ll be forgiven if you’re not sure exactly when Mardi Gras in New Orleans is. Especially, as it seems like every day is Mardi Gras when you walk down the infamous Bourbon Street with beads jangling around your neck and a $1 beer in your hand.
The Carnival season is officially January to the end of February, but the French Quarter of this historic city is always buzzing with jazz clubs, underground clubs, and debauchery spilling from every 24-hour bar.
- When to go: During Mardi Gras in March when the city has a carnival atmosphere all month long.
- Club recommendation: There are traditional clubs in New Orleans, but what’s the point when there’s a jazz bar on every other street, act like a local, and head to Maison where there’s live music and boogieing every single day.
- Bar recommendation: If you like your bar experience with a bit of theatre then Ye Olde Original Dungeon is the perfect place for you, expect bikers, metal, and smoking cocktails.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio is the party city of Brazil, and over 1 million people flock there every year to attend Carnival, a festival that has been celebrated since 1723. Why? Because in Rio, partying is an art form, even if you go in the off-season there are still clubs and bars pumping out traditional samba on the Copacabana beach strip until dawn.
Rio is also well known for being a great LGBTQI-friendly city with gay clubs, bars, and venues aplenty; The Week International in downtown is an impressive example of this with 22,000-square footage of space in which to dance the night away.
- When to go: During Carnival in February when the weather is awesome too.
- Club recommendation: Rio Scenarium has been reviewed as ‘the best nightclub on the planet’. It’s part antiques store (yes really!), part multi-level nightclub. It’s weirdness is what makes it so wonderful.
- Bar recommendation: Bip Bip has a cult following amongst travellers, here you’ll find an informal arrangement of musicians playing samba, choro and bossa nova to a simply decorated bar that spills out onto the pavement. A great place to hear authentic Brazilian music.
Ibiza, Spain
If you were at all plugged into popular culture in the mid-to-late 90’s you’ll know that Ibiza was the number one party destinations for many years and spawned countless films, TV shows, and dance compilation CDs. You can still find all that on the island, but the mega-clubs like Pacha and Amnesia can charge up to £50 entry so it can price out a lot of the punters who just want to have a dance. For a more chilled, but definitely-still-a-party vibe why not check out Pikes Ibiza in Sant Antoni de Portmany, steeped in rock and roll history it’s now the place to be.
- When to go: The closing parties at the end of September/start of October are epic!
- Club recommendation: An experiment where art, music, and food collide in this club experiment extravaganza by one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil. ‘Club Chinois’ is located in the five-star Gran Hotel. Expect to feel like you’re hallucinating as soon as you walk in the door, pricey but worth it.
- Bar recommendation: With possibly one of the most spectacular views on the island, Sunset Ashram offers beach-bottle service and pure relaxation.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is famous for lots of reasons: it’s cheap, it’s fun, it’s cultural, it’s cool, and oh, there are probably more clubs than there are people.
Notoriously the coolest clubs are the most tricky to get into but there are a few rules that you abide by in order to stand a chance – look tough (think black and leather), don’t be drunk, know who’s playing that night and if you can, attempt to speak some German or make friends with one in the queue.
That being said, Berghain, the capital of the techno scene since 2004, is known for turning people away for no reason so have a backup plan.
- When to go: In the spring or summer as the temperatures really drop from October onwards.
- Club recommendation: Head down to Puschkinallee which houses some of Berlin’s best clubs like Club der Visionaere for a taste of everything.
- Bar recommendation: Check out our guide to authentic Berlin away from typical tourist hotspots to find out the coolest and, more importantly, cheapest bars in which to while away the hours in.
Tel Aviv, Israel
You won’t find bad weather in Tel Aviv, the coldest months are December and January at 14°C on average, but in the summer it’s a toasty 20-28°C from April to November. Which explains why Tel Aviv is becoming the new ‘city that never sleeps’ with a clubbing mentality that rivals any of the legendary cities of Europe or the U.S.
Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to clubs in Tel Aviv. With high-end rooftop bars like Speakeasy – Rooftop on Rothschild drawing a crowd of stylish residents, there’s also a bustling crowd for clubs like Kuli Alma which features an open-air courtyard and dance floor as well as an exhibition space.
- When to go: March – May.
- Club recommendation: The Breakfast Club (no 80’s hits sorry) is a dance institution with DJs from across Israel spinning the early hours with funk, hip-hop, rave and EDM.
- Bar recommendation: Go over to the dark side at Lucifer, this dark and intimate bar offers up a slice of decadence in the shape of eclectic beers and cocktails.
Bangkok, Thailand
A bustling city mixed with business, shopping, street food, excessive drinking, loud tourists and beautiful sites – Bangkok is poetically chaotic and a definite somewhere the intrepid traveller must visit.
As you wander around the Royal City Avenue in the Huai Khwang district, you’ll be greeted by neon lights, scantily clad party-goers and alluring clubs.
Anything can happen in Bangkok, and it usually does, so keep your wits about you and try not to spend all your money on tuk-tuks and fruity cocktails.
- When to go: Between November and early April.
- Club recommendation: Walking into the Sing Sing Theatre in Sukhumvit, is like walking into a 1930’s Hollywood version of what a Bangkok club would look like. Think dark red lighting, a well-dressed crowd and lots of free flowing booze.
- Bar recommendation: Wong’s Place is part myth, part legend and part dive bar. An institution Wong’s Place is the last place open in Bangkok, so arrive there around 2 am after you leave the club to see a mixture of all types attempting to drink until the sun comes up.
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade may seem a bit off the beaten track for Western European partiers, but the residents of the Balkans have known that Belgrade is one of the best party cities for a while now, so catch up quickly! Belgrade is known for its 24-hour parties in some of the oddest places, for example, KST is located in the basement of the University of Belgrade Faculty of Electrical Engineering.>
- When to go: In the summer months when the beach parties are running.
- Club recommendation: If you venture into the walls of Belgrade Fortress you’ll discover Barutana, which literally translates as ‘gunpowder storage’, a fan favourite club which plays host to world-renowned DJs.
- Bar recommendation: Jazz Bašta is something different, expect mellow jazz stylings in this building built in the 1870s while you sip a glass of recommended wine – be warned young ones, it’s only over 21+ here.
London, England
Ah, London, the Metropolitan mega-city that all those seeking fame and fortune flock to. While, unlike some of its European counterparts, it will put a sizeable dent in your wallet, what’s that compared to a good night out?
You’ll find everything in London from cabaret to jazz, to underground fetish clubs – you’re bound to find your party people somewhere. East London may not be as underground as it once was but it’s still the place to be for the newest and freshest nights.
- Where to go: The nightlife is great all year so you can’t really go wrong.
- Club recommendation: Egg LDN is a huge warehouse club near Camden with a 24-hour license so you need stamina in abundance!
- Bar recommendation: Hunker down and listen to some vinyl while sipping an elegant cocktail in Behind This Wall in Hackney, a prohibition-style bar you’ll have to find the bar before you imbibe (hint: down some steps, behind a big curtain on Mare Street).
Hvar, Croatia
Commonly referred to as the ‘new Ibiza’ Hvar is a stunning Croatian island with seafront nightclubs and beach bars that open until the early hours. You need to board a boat at Split to get there but it’s definitely worth the slightly-disjointed journey. There are amazing boat parties to be found, but with a chilled Mediterranean vibe. The landscape is stunning and the food is great too.
- Time to go: Between May and October.
- Club recommendation: Carpe Diem is the biggest club on the island but get there early as it is hugely popular.
- Bar recommendation: Hula Hula Hvar.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
You can find a party at any time of the day in Sin City, which famously doesn’t have many clocks. Most famous for its huge casinos, the Las Vegas strip is also a great place to hit it hard at its many super clubs. Top DJS, including David Guetta, Carl Cox, Calvin Harris, and Tiesto, regularly visit to perform.
The hotels also host lavish pool parties throughout the year which is the place to be seen.
- When to go: March and April as the Spring climate are warm and dry.
- Club recommendation: Try the XS Nightswim pool party at The Wynn.
- Bar recommendation: The Downtown Cocktail bar near the famous Fremont Street.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Scots definitely know how to party so why not join them on a short break in the capital. The West End is popular with stag do’s but there is a huge selection of entertainment options across the city for everyone to have a great time. The Edinburgh Mile, in the heart of the city’s Old Town, is filled with lots of pubs to kick start you’re evening before you can move onto a nearby club or perhaps the New Town or Tollcross.
- Best time to visit: You’ll find street parties galore on New Year’s Eve. After a two-year absence due to Covid, we’re pleased to say Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will be back with a bang this year. Don’t cut short your trip though as celebrations usually last three days.
- Club recommendation: Shanghai Club, which is located underneath Le Monde Hotel in the Old Town, is the current must-go-to club, which is open on Wednesdays and weekends.
- Bar recommendation: Quirky Panda & Sons is hidden underneath a barber’s shop on Queens Street.
Miami, Florida, USA
Mingle with the beautiful people in this vibrant art deco hub in South Florida. From the cool cocktail bars of South Beach to the upscale Downtown clubs and cool speakeasy bars of Espanola Way you’ll find plenty of variety here. The rich and famous often head here for short breaks to let off steam so you’ll be in very good company.
- When to go: May is a lovely month weather-wise. Lots of Americans head here for Spring break in March and April so you might want to avoid those months as it will be very busy.
- Club recommendation: The LIV club at The Fontainebleu Hilton hotel has Las Vegas vibes and has been the place to go for many years now and we don’t see it changing anytime soon.
- Bar recommendation: Rooftop bar Terras, located in Little Havana, has amazing views of downtown Miami.
Bali, Indonesia
The party scene in Bali has matured a lot over the last ten years and is still evolving. Formerly a popular spot for hippies and surfers enjoying a few drinks at a beach bar, the nightlife scene has now grown to include swanky rooftop bars and iconic clubs such as La Favela, ShiShi, and Mirror. Kuta offers more mainstream dance parties which start around midnight, while Seminyak is swankier with high-quality but more expensive drinks. The clubbing scene is on a much smaller scale in Canggu as it’s more bohemium and relaxed while Uluatu has stunning clifftop rooftop bars. Its close proximity to other Asian countries and Australia still brings in a backpacker crowds but many people visit Bali in its own right. It’s also popular with Aussies on their ‘spring break’ in September and October.
- When to go: May and June offer the best weather conditions with lesser crowds. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are the best party nights.
- Club recommendation: The randomly named Potato Head Beach Club is also our pick for daytime partying as it also has a cool cultural vibe which can include artwork displays and sculpture installations.
- Bar recommendation: Eclectic garden bar La Favela in downtown Seminyak.
Mykonos, Greek islands
You’ll find lots of dance bars nestled in the meandering streets of this beautiful Greek island. Offering a much cooler vibe than its neighbouring islands, Mykonos attracts a wealthy, multi-national crowd, many of whom like to stay on their yachts. Little Venice is the main hub of tavernas and cocktail bars but the beach clubs are modern and thriving too. If you’re not short on time, why not board a ferry and hop to a few other islands such as Crete, Rhodes, and Zante the Greek islands are a great party holiday destination.
- When to go: June or early September. The weather is superb and it’s less busy than the other summer months.
- Club recommendation: There aren’t many huge clubs but VOID Mykonos attracts brilliant DJs.
- Bar recommendation: The Scandinavian Bar has been a long-time favourite for holidaymakers with more mainstream tunes.
Barcelona, Spain
A bustling city on the beach, Barcelona is the best party destination in Europe. If you want to keep things low-key you can enjoy some tapas in a Las Rambas bar, but if you want more action you can head to a late-night beach bar or join one of the city’s legendary boat parties. The city is a popular venue for festivals so most weekends throughout the summer you’ll find something new. It’s a much cheaper option than London or New York too.
- When to go: May and June offer mid-70s temperatures and the city hosts a flurry of music festivals to kick off the summer.
- Club recommendation: Super clubs Opium, Pacha, CDLC, Shoko, and Catwalk are clustered together at Port Olimpic. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
- Bar recommendation: Paradiso, near the marina, has imaginative cocktails and beautiful tapas.
Dublin, Ireland
For the friendliest party scene in the world, it’s got to be Dublin. The people are always so chatty and want to share their love of the city with anyone who will listen.
There is a large drinking scene with almost 800 pubs. Temple Bar, on the south side of the River Liffey, is a popular hub with tourists with its cobbled streets and restaurants. South William Street is an area offering upmarket cocktail bars and modern décor. North of the river you’ll find older pubs playing live traditional music if you want a real Irish experience.
- When to go: Dublin is great in March around St Patrick’s Day.
- Club recommendation: Try Copper Face Jacks or Yamamori Tengu for something more alternative.
- Bar recommendation: The Blind Pig Speakeasy for cocktails or The Cobblestone for traditional Irish music.
