When the clock signals the start of the evening, when the lights go out, at some of the world's most iconic cities the real fun begins, the nightlife. Bars and pubs, clubs and discos, live music venues but also cabarets are just some of the attractions awaiting citizens or tourists who want to experience this aspect of the metropolis as well.
Some of the most incredible cities on the planet are also home to a vibrant and mind-blowing nightlife, which every seasoned traveller will be curious to experience. From the most exclusive and well-known clubs to world-famous festivals, here are some cities that host the most vibrant nightlife in the world. Are you ready to party?
NB: the following ranking is based on an internal poll of community users involving over 15,000 people, each of whom expressed 3 preferences. The cities are ordered by the number of votes received.
20 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo by Pppires. Besides hosting the biggest and most majestic Carnival in the whole of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is also the home of live music and offers a very rich underground music scene. If you are planning a trip to this city, don't miss the huge music event called Rock in Rio, or choose the Carnival period to admire the extravagant costumes that colour the city with the famous parade.
Type of nightlife: live music, street parties
Top 3 nightlife districts: Ipanema, Lapa, Flamengo y Botafogo
Top3 places not to miss: Pedra do Sal (Saude), Circo Voador (Lapa), Barra Music (Anil)
Our recommendation: Quadra do Santa Marta (Lapa)
19 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
A night of entertainment in Buenos Aires is not for the faint-hearted! The city's inhabitants, also called porteños, usually go to the different bars and clubs at 1 or 2 a.m., and usually don't get home until 6 a. m. If you are looking for a club where you can find music, good food and a dance floor, choose Rojo Tango. The club also offers cabaret or tango shows, complete with a live orchestra and a three-course meal. For a more low-key experience, visit Notorious, a jazz bar that doubles as a record shop and restaurant. Here you can also meet the best musicians in the area and each table is equipped with a CD player.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Buenos Aires
Type of movida: live music, traditional dancing
Top 3 nightlife districts: La Boca, Palermo, Puerto Madero
Top3 places not to miss: Crobar (Palermo), Mundo bizarro (Palermo), 878 (Palermo)
Our recommendation: Azùcar (Belgrano)
18 - Tokyo, Japan
In Tokyo you can start the evening with some karaoke before heading to the typical futuristic-looking club the city is saturated with. Swirls of neon lights, late-night clubs and outrageous fetish shows have made this city one of the wildest destinations for nightlife.
Tokyo's international spirit is reflected in its nightlife. Visitors can find everything from live music to traditional Japanese Kabuki shows. Music lovers can opt for Sweet Basil 139, an upmarket jazz club or, for a more colourful experience, visit Kamiya Bar, the city's oldest western-style bar. The bar is the home of Denki Bran, the Tokyo-invented liquor that includes gin, red wine, brandy, and Curacao.
Type of night life: techno & underground, hot clubs
Top 3 nightlife districts: Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Ginza
Top 3 must-see clubs: ageHa (Shin-Kiba), Trump Room (Shibuya-ku), V2 (Roppongi)
Our recommendation: Vision (Shibuya)
17 - New Orleans, USA
The New Orleans music scene is a lively mix of brass bands, Zydeco beats and upbeat music. Head to Frenchmen Street to hear top-notch live music, dance to funk beats or listen to local bands. Mardi Gras is an experience not to be missed. The bars and jazz clubs on Bourbon Street and in the French Quarter are typical New Orleans nightlife stops.
In the centre of the historic Freret Corridor district is the Cure, an upmarket cocktail lounge with a traditional Southern flavour. The dress code is decidedly strict! Even in August, men must wear long trousers.
Type of nightlife: Live music, underground clubs, blues & jazz clubs
Top 3 nightlife districts: French Quarter, Garden District, Central Business District (CBD)
Top3 must-see clubs: Maple Leaf (Riverbend), One Eyed Jack (French Quarter), Ooh Poo Pah Doo (Treme)
Our recommendation: House of Blues (French Quarter)
16 - Miami, USA
In Miami, electronic music lovers can enjoy the city's many festivals, such as the famous Ultra Festival, as well as super nightclubs like LIV and Story. It's hard to leave Miami's wide and endless beaches, but luckily much of the city's nightlife is right on the beach. Nikki Beach Club is located in the middle of the beach, so visitors can sip their drinks under large tents, in comfortable hammocks or on beach beds. Every Sunday the club hosts an open-air beach party that continues well past midnight. The Rose Bar, at the Delano Hotel, offers a more glamorous atmosphere with its rose-coloured walls and Venetian chandeliers. Guests can enjoy a cocktail in the bar's lobby lounge or on the outdoor terrace.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, Underground, Hot Club, Dance Party, Festival
Top 3 nightlife districts: Miami Beach, Downtown, Upper East Side
Top3 must-see clubs: Ball & Chain (Little Havana), Sky Bar (Miami Beach), Liv@FontaineBleau (Miami Beach)
Our recommendation: Churchill's Pub (Upper East Side)
15 - Ibiza, Spain
This Mediterranean island is known for its outrageous nightlife, thanks to the best DJs performing in the island's hottest clubs. Here you can dance the night away at places like Privilege, the biggest disco in the world, or Amnesia, famous for its foam parties.
SEE ALSO: Ibiza, Balearics: where to go, when to go and what to see
Type of nightlife: House Party, Disco, Techno & Underground
Top 3 clubs not to miss: Space, Privilege, Amnesia
Our recommendation: Pacha (Upper East Side)
14 - Mykonos, Greece
Photo by Massimiliano Mogliani. This small Greek island is home to big parties that start on the beach mid-afternoon and go on until the next morning. Visit Super Paradise Beach, one of the best places to party, or you can try one of the many clubs and bars dotted around the island.
Type of nightlife: Street party, Disco, Clubs
Top 3 clubs not to be missed: Cavo Paradiso, Skandinavian, Queen of Mykonos
Our recommendation: Astra Bar
13 - Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is home to the famous Distorsion festival, which welcomes visitors from all over Europe and beyond every year. This event celebrates music and art by encompassing a wide slice of the city's underground scene. During the event, almost every street in the city is involved and everywhere you can find refreshment stands where you can taste and enjoy some excellent Danish beer.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, Underground, Pubs
Top 3 nightlife districts: Jægersborggade, Istedgade, Elmegade
Top3 must-see clubs: Culture Box, Drop Inn, Mojo Blues Bar
Our recommendation: Grey Hall (Christiania)
12 - Belgrade, Serbia
If you visit this city and are looking for an electrifying nightlife experience, head straight to the eclectic Skadarlija district. Here you can explore its many bars or dance the night away at clubs along the Sava or Danube riverside.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, House, Electronic
Top 3 places not to miss: Jazz Bašta, The Black Turtle II Pub, Tilt Club
Our recommendation: Red Shoes Cafe
11 - Bali, Indonesia
Bali 'sKuta Beach is well known among surfers but is also home to wild parties that continue until the early hours of the morning. Numerous raves are organised every season right on the beach, attracting thousands of adventurers and locals.
Type of nightlife: Beach Party, Festival
Top 3 places not to miss: Sky Garden, Mirror Lounge & Club, Jenja
Our recommendation: La Favela
10 - Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok has a reputation for being pretty rowdy after midnight, but there are also many high-end clubs that offer a more sophisticated late-night experience. You can take the State Tower lift up to the 63rd floor where you will find the Sky Bar, a cocktail lounge with panoramic views of the city.
Type of nightlife: Beach Party, Festival, Disco
Top 3 clubs not to be missed: Onyx, Ce La Vi, Levels Club
Our recommendation: Lava Gold
9 - Paris, France
Photo by Benh LIEU SONG. Paris is the capital of France and also the country's largest city. It is located on the Seine in the north of France, in the heart of the Île-de-France region. The city of style is full of bars where many celebrities also go, particularly at the Champs-Elysées. For a more relaxed setting and to enjoy food and wine, head to Rue de Lappe and Charonne. Artists such as Daft Punk helped pave the way for French house music. If you love this genre, head to places like Rex Club, La Locomotive, Social Club, and Le Rouge to party late into the night.
Type of night life: Live Music, Underground, Hot Club, Dance Party, Festival
Top 3 places not to miss: Folies Berger, Moulin Rouge, Le Montana
Our recommendation: Titty Twister
8 - Madrid, Spain
New York may be the city that never sleeps, but Madrid also keeps the early hours. The city is known for its all-night parties plus the latest trend in gin and tonic bars. You can start your night of partying at Arzabal for classic tapas and gin and tonics, and then head to the Gin Room, an establishment that offers more than a dozen unusual brands of gin in a stylish and fashionable setting.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, Underground, Hot Club, Dance Party, Festival
Top 3 places not to miss: Sala Arena, Cafe Central, Kapital
Our recommendation: La Via Làctea
7 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
If you want to dance the night away to electronic or live music, Amsterdam is the city for you. There are clubs, discos, bars and casual venues here, but the city also hosts one of the biggest showcases of electronic music in the world, the Amsterdam Dance Event.
When talking about nightlife and Amsterdam, one cannot fail to mention its red light district. But there are many other venues throughout the city that offer unique late-night experiences.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, Underground, Hot Clubs, Festivals
Top 3 places not to miss: Studio 80, Melkweg, Paradiso
Our recommendation: Café Noorderlicht
6 - Los Angeles, USA
The glitz and glamour of Los Angeles extends from its film sets to its vibrant nightlife. Harvard & Stone is a venue that will transport you to another era, thanks to its World War II-era décor and craft cocktails. The bar, which just celebrated its second anniversary, also features live music and an extensive collection of American spirits. For a Mad Men experience, visit the Stark Bar in Mid-City West. Located near the Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art, the bar offers a long list of seasonal cocktails and a California wine list. During the summer, you can enjoy live jazz music in the courtyard adjacent to the museum.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, Underground, Hot Club, Festival
Top 3 places not to miss: The Conga Room, Create Nightclub, Paladino's
Our recommendation: Jazz Bakery (Culver City)
5 - Berlin, Germany
Famous for its incredible nightlife, Berlin is home to underground techno clubs and rock and alternative venues that host late-night events. No matter what time you arrive, you will always find a party going on! The party never stops in Berlin. The intimate, 1970s-style ambience of the Victoria Bar is ideal for sipping a drink. The creative décor and elegant waiters will transport you to another era, and the classic cocktails are synonymous with trendiness.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, Techno & Underground, Hot Clubs
Top 3 places not to miss: Prinzipal, Lido, Monkey Bar
Our recommendation: Fritzclub im Postbahnhof (Friedrichshain)
4 - Barcelona, Spain
In Barcelona it is easy to party all night long even on a small budget. Choose spots like Espit Chupitos, where their quirky shots are all offered for just two euros each! The night never ends thanks to the clubs in town, but also thanks to the spontaneous gatherings on the beach, where the crazy night continues until dawn.
Type of movida: Live Music, Street Party, Dance & House Party
Top 3 places not to miss: CDLC, Boulevard (Rambla), Marula Cafe (Gothic Quarter)
Our recommendation: Sidecar (Ciutat Vella)
3 - London, UK
London's nightlife offers something for everyone, from cabaret shows to boutique bars for the more snobby. The Blue Bar, named after its blue-painted walls, is a rather romantic place to enjoy delicious cocktails. It is located in the Berkeley Hotel and periodically offers live jazz performances. For a more traditional pub experience, try Jerusalem Tavern, with its long list of local beers.
Type of nightlife: Live Music, Street Party, Dance & House Party, Techno & Underground, Hot Club
Top 3 must-see clubs: Ministry Of Sound (Lambeth), Cirque Le Soir (Soho), Kensington Roof Garden (Kensington)
Our recommendation: Fabric (North London)
2 - Las Vegas, USA
Nicknamed the City of Sin, Las Vegas is home to some of the best pool parties during the day and lively nightclubs where you can party all night long. You will never run out of something to do in the Las Vegas nightlife, new clubs pop up almost every day, as well as bars and casinos can be found on every corner. For a sophisticated and luxurious ambience, visit the Vesper Bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. The bar offers an extensive cocktail and drink menu and oozes elegance and sophistication with its classic décor. For a more lively ambience, PURE is the best option. You can dance in its multiple rooms or step out onto the terrace for a view of the city centre.
Type of night life: Live Music, Street Party, Dance & House Party, Techno & Underground, Hot Club
Top 3 must-see clubs: XS (The Strip), Hakkasan Night Club (The Strip), Ghost Bar (West Strip)
Our recommendation: Downtown Cocktail Room (Downtown)
1 - New York, USA
With clubs open late into the night and restaurants welcoming customers around the clock, New York has earned the nickname'the city that never sleeps'. The city is vibrant with energy throughout the day and, thanks to excellent public transport, you can party without any other worries. There are plenty of options for partying late into the night in the city that never sleeps. For a unique experience, visit Pouring Ribbons, the bar divides the cocktails into two categories: comfortable or adventurous, take your pick!
Type of night life: Live Music, Street Party, Dance & House Party, Techno & Underground, Hot Club
Top 3 must-see clubs: Output (Brooklyn), Cielo (Meatpacking District), Marquee (Chelsea)
Our recommendation: Le Bain at the Standard (Meatpacking District)