AUSTIN, Texas — From the bustling streets of Dirty Sixth Street to the vibrant Warehouse District and eclectic Red River Cultural District, Austin has been named the top nightlife destination in the United States, according to a global survey conducted by Time Out, a popular lifestyle and entertainment guide.
Survey insights and methodology
Time Out engaged thousands of participants in hundreds of global cities to explore and rank the world’s best nightlife spots. Respondents were asked to rate various aspects of their local nightlife scenes, including the quality and diversity of venues and events.
Austin emerged as the best city for nightlife in the United States, securing the fifth position globally in the survey. Rio de Janeiro topped the list, followed by Manila, Berlin, and Guadalajara.
Highlights of the results
The survey highlighted only the best city in each country, with Austin representing the United States. Time Out highlighted Austin's renowned status as the “Live Music Capital of the World” and noted particularly high scores for quality, as reported by locals.
Jillian Anthony, a former editor at Time Out New York and a current Austin resident, shared her insights. She described the city’s nightlife as essential, especially given the long summer season, suggesting cool spots like Barton Springs for evening relaxation. Anthony also recommended visiting Cheer Up Charlie’s for its dynamic mix of drag shows, high-energy parties, and outdoor dancing.
The contenders of world nightlife
The survey also listed other global cities renowned for their nightlife, with the sixth to thirteenth positions being occupied by Lagos, Rotterdam, Manchester, Budapest, Accra, Buenos Aires, Taipei and Singapore respectively. Additionally, DJs gave honorable mentions to the nightlife of Barcelona, Hong Kong and Brisbane.
Austin’s success in this survey underscores its dynamic and diverse nightlife scene, making it a must-see destination for nightlife enthusiasts from both the U.S. and around the world.