New study ranks the most fun cities for nightlife in the U.S. — and you might be surprised

Drink prices, closing times, safety, and entertainment options all played a factor.

Mark Mark
Nov 24, 2025 - 19:00
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New study ranks the most fun cities for nightlife in the U.S. — and you might be surprised
Two gay men sit drinking beers in front of a bar.

The gays know as well as anyone else: There’s no shortage of places to party in the United States, but not every city is created equal.

We could argue the merits of Hell’s Kitchen versus WeHo until last call, but a new study by Gambulls did the work for us by ranking the top cities for nightlife in 2025.

For their well-researched investigation, each city’s safety, bar density per 100,000 residents, closing time, music and entertainment options, and average drink and appetizer costs were taken into account to calculate a “Total Fun Score.”

To be fair, the study examined these cities holistically without focusing on the LGBTQ+ scenes. Not to mention everyone has their own ideas of “fun.” (Circuit gays, we’re looking at you!)

But considering the average American goes out for a drink at least 3 times a month, it’s good to know where in the country you can maximize your fun, according to some scientific data!

Below, we unpack the top-5 best U.S. cities for nightlife, according to the study, and their most iconic gay spots.

1. New Orleans, LA

New Orleans earned the title of America’s best nightlife destination, and it’s understandable why: the average drink price is $10, a local beer will cost you just $4, there’s an overwhelming number of bars and clubs, and, oh yeah, they stay open for 24 hours!

Of course, our favorite spot is the Bourbon Pub Parade, a.k.a. the home of Gay Mardi Gras, Southern Decadence, and the biggest (and gayest) Halloween and New Year’s Eve parties in all of Louisiana. With a huge dance floor, two bars, balconies, and a steady stream of good-looking guys, you’ll earn your beads quickly.

2. Pittsburgh, PA

This one surprised us, but congrats to Pittsburgh for scoring second place. The Steel City received high marks for offering some of the cheapest, on average, appetizers in the country, a safe reputation, and a ton of options — nearly 29 bars in each major neighborhood.

We recommend P Town Bar, a spot known for its iconic drag performances as much as its Steelers games.

3. Las Vegas, NV

Obviously, Las Vegas was going to do well on the list with its round-the-clock hours and high density of bars. And while its average drink prices are higher than those of other cities on the list, a night out in Sin City is usually worth it, especially if you’re visiting a club like The Phoenix Bar & Lounge.

The locally owned spot, which we nominated for Best Bar/Nightclub at last year’s Best of GayCities, offers a chill vibe with karaoke, pool, a dance floor, and a consistent rotation of talented drag queens.

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4. Columbus, OH

Don’t sleep on the 15th-largest city in the U.S.! Columbus, Ohio, was ranked third, thanks to its 2:30 a.m. closing times, high safety score, and drinks that average around $10.

Visit Axis Nightclub, a.k.a. the city’s largest LGBTQ+ dance club, and you might understand why. This storied spot is a favorite among friendly locals, and recently shifted to a 21-and-up crowd. Patrons can expect dancing, drag, and maybe some devilish fantasies, especially at their Sunday church dance parties, where “the sermons are scandalous and the saints wear stilettos.”

5. Raleigh, NC

A round of applause for Raleigh-Durham! With one of the list’s highest safety index scores, a decent smattering of bars, and affordable drinks and apps, the North Carolina hotspot edged out cities like Portland, Denver, and Orlando to take No. 5.

Here at GayCities, we love Legends Nightclub, a pillar of Raleigh’s LGBTQ+ community where dance, drag, and community have been a mainstay for nearly 40 years.

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