12 Best Bars Around the World to Meet People
Part of the fun of traveling is meeting the locals (and tourists) and exploring the local bar scene. The best way to do so is to venture out of your hotel. But when visiting a new city, most of us are often left to hang out in bars located within the hotel because of time constraints or the lack of information on where to go.
Whether inside or outside the hotels, there are many classic, new, trendy or hip bars around the world worthy of your attention. Here are 12 recommended by Trippy users.
1. Draft House Tower Bridge, London
Trippy user
Jacqui liked Draft House Tower Bridge. Draft House has over 10 bars throughout
London, but none compares to the one in Tower Bridge. Located next to Tower Bridge, this old British bar caters to locals and tourists seven days a week. The building was initially built as a wharf and today, this Draft House offers stunning views, good beer, and an authentic British pub atmosphere.
2. Ocean 52, Bangkok
Rob, an Australian living in
Bangkok highly recommended Ocean 52 for those who like rooftop bars. He said:
Ocean Bar has a rooftop swimming pool and is a great place for cocktails, good food, relaxing during the day or sunset.
Located on the 52nd floor of Lebua Hotel, a luxurious hotel in the heart of Bangkok, Ocean 52 proves that you don’t have to venture out to meet people over a glass of wine. Even the locals gather here for the views, drinks, meetups and to escape from the bustling city life.
3. The Lui Bar, Melbourne
Michelle from Melbourne had this to say about the bar scene and Melbourne in general:
While Melbourne is easy to walk around, the tram network is excellent for visiting some of the inner city suburbs that have great food, boutiques, and art galleries. To use the tram network (or any public transport for that matter), you'll need to purchase a Myki card (from any convenience store) and load some cash on to it. You can't buy tickets on trams or before you get on buses/trains. Melbourne's noted for its laneways. Lots of city laneways have great cafes and bars.
For one of the best views in Melbourne where you can enjoy a cocktail, I'd suggest The Lui Bar. It's particularly good at night where you can watch the sun go down, and the lights come up.
A super fun rooftop bar that's very quirky is Madame Brussels - this is open during the day as well. The Ian Potter Centre has a great collection of aboriginal art, and the National Gallery of Victoria is nearby with some excellent exhibits. If you're looking for a snack in this area try MoVida Next Door for some great tapas. The river is lovely to walk down. If the weather's good, sit outside for a coffee or drink at The Boatbuilders Yard. Some of the suburban strips I'd recommend, again for interesting sights, shops and food are Gertrude St, Smith St Brunswick St and also down the beach at St Kilda. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
Head over to Lui Bar, a classy bar on the 55th floor of Rialto Building. It is one of the highest spots in Melbourne where you can catch the sunset, enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city, meet the locals or tourists, and enjoy a meal and a drink.
Trippy user
Denise from New Orleans said:
I think Bemelmans Bar inside the Carlyle Hotel in the Upper East Side is a must for a classic, New York cocktail lounge experience. Live piano music, murals by famed children's book illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans- it's just cool.
For years Bemelman’s bar welcomed movie stars, politicians and socialites. It still commands attention from visitors from around the world. Named after Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the classic children’s books Madeline, the old New York-style Bemelman’s Bar has a large mural, black granite bar, a 24-karat gold leaf-covered ceiling and scenes of Central Park captured by the illustrator.
5. Le Ballroom du Beef Club, Paris
Raphael from Paris recommended Ballroom. He wrote:
Ballroom would typically fit your bill. Excellent DJ, small dance floor and good cocktails. There are other joints with 2 of the three, but this one is probably one of the best combinations.
Look for the unmarked black metal door at 58 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau and take the stairs down to the bar. This cozy bar is located in the basement of the Beef Club restaurant.
6. Control Club, Bucharest
Trippy user
Chris and his friends were planning on going to
Bucharest Romania. They sought advice from locals and posted this question:
We (4 friends, late twenties) will be going to Bucharest for a long weekend and would like to do some bar-hopping and clubbing. What are currently the hottest bars and clubs in Bucharest? Where do the locals like to party and have a good time? Any insider tips ;-)? Thanks so much!
Lulia from Bucharest answered:
Fancy: Fratelli Bucharest Gaia Boutique Club
Others: Finnish Cocktail & Club Old City The Drunken Lords
Underground: Club A Control Club
No trip to Bucharest is complete without a night spent at a bar. Lulia gave great tips on where the best bars are. For a local feel, head over to Control Club, one of the popular clubs in Bucharest.
7. The Butcher at Albert Cuyp, Amsterdam
There are plenty of options if you’re looking to go bar-hopping in
Amsterdam. But to
Jan, a local, there’s no better place to hang out and have a good cocktail and top-quality burger than The Butcher:
I would recommend either The Butcher (at Albert Cuyp) with a secret club in the back (invites only)
Though the main appeal of The Butcher is the burgers, there is a “secret” bar in the restaurant that you’ll need to reserve in advance to get in. This unique space is only open from 8 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Choose The Butcher at Albert Cuyp Market, one of the most vibrant street markets in the Netherlands.
8. White Horse Tavern, NYC
Trippy user
Scott from Chicago wanted to visit bars that looked like those he saw in movies. He wrote:
I feel like I've seen so many cool old taverns and bars in movies based in New York, but I don't know what any of them are. I'll be there for a month this summer for a summer program and would like to check out some cool ones!
Courtney wrote:
One of my favorites is the White Horse Tavern where I go every time I'm in town. Legend has it that Dylan Thomas drank his last there and frequently came to write. Fabulous atmosphere especially in the summer when they have seating outside.
9. Hemingway Bar, Prague
Robin from the United Kingdom recommended the Hemingway Bar in
Prague. She wrote:
The most sophisticated bar I've ever been with art deco water fountains and has extremely friendly bar staff to talk you through all the different cocktails and spirits.
Classy and a friendly atmosphere makes Hemingway Bar an excellent choice for those looking for a bar to relax and meet people after a long day of exploring the many famous attractions in Prague.
10. Ozone Bar, Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, there is no shortage of bars and clubs. And when it comes to finding the best rooftop bars to relax and enjoy views of
Hong Kong,
Felipe from Brazil chose Hong Kong’s highest rooftop bar - Ozone Bar at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. He said:
In my opinion, the best rooftop bar in HK is the OZONE Bar, on top of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kowloon, fantastic view of Victoria Harbour and HK skyline, and very good tapas /cocktails.
Located on the 118th floor of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Ozone Bar’s ambiance, cocktails, service and billion dollar views of Hong Kong are worth a visit.
Monique from Rio gave a thumbs up for Belmonte Bar. If you’re wondering where the locals go for drinks, food and to meet friends, go to Belmonte Bar in Copacabana.
Get cold beer, caipirinha (Rio’s famous cocktail), Carioca bar food and enjoy the chill vibe of this local bar close to the beach.
12. Taberna El Tempranillo, Madrid
Trippy user
Jeff from Portland said:
For food and drinks head down Calle Cava Baja and check out the tapas bars. Two of my favorite are Taberna Txakolina and Taberna Tempranillo.
You can’t visit
Madrid without going to at least one tapas bar. Taberna Tempranillo is known for its wide selection of wine. It’s the best place to get your wine and pair it with pinchos (sliced baguette topped with sweet and savory bites including sliced Iberico ham, seafood, and pate).
