a canal with ducks and cars in the middle

Just don’t forget the Advil…

Whether it’s bars, clubs, pubs, festivals or anything else, some cities have it all.

This post is not for the weary, or those with strict curfews, but if you’re going on holiday looking for a bit of fun with late nights, hungover mornings and a guaranteed good time, not to mention a large bar bill – head to one of these fantastic cities, known for everything but sleep. This list is a cross between the Telegraph’s rankings and our own personal recipe for success.

a tall tower in a city at nightBuenos Aires, Argentina

Palermo Soho knows how to party. If you’re looking for the wildest of the wild, with a high chance of tango involved – head to Buenos Aires. Everything is beautiful, including the wine.

a colorful building with graffiti on the sideBerlin, Germany

A night in Berlin goes far beyond German beer. The city is a metropolis full of trendy bars, clubs and biergartens. The city is young, vibrant and always up for a night out. Always.

a beach with people walking on the beachRio de Janeiro, Brazil

The land of caipirinhas takes no prisoners. The grungier the bar, the better the party. Dance the night away and keep on dancing all the way to Copacabana for sunrise. Does it get better?

a street with colorful buildings and a car

New Orleans, USA

You’ve heard the rumors, and they’re true. Bourbon Street is just the tip of the iceberg in this city of voodoo, spicy food, drinks and saucy nights. Just watch out for the bands in the morning.

a city with a castle in the backgroundBarcelona, Spain

If you’re not eating dinner until 10, you can imagine when the party ends. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan paradise of the party with some of the world’s best gin bars and night districts.

a building with colorful domes and a bridge over waterSt Petersburg, Russia

Nostrovia! Clubbing is an art form and In St. Petersburg, you’ll find the finest of artists. Think serious bouncers, ice cold vodka and banging beats. Yet another city that rarely sleeps.

a city with lights at nightLas Vegas, USA

They don’t call it Sin City for nothing. Las Vegas is one of the few cities where you don’t have to leave your room to find trouble – or a lot of fun. Clubs, bars and gambling – what could go wrong?

a large building with many boats in the waterBeirut, Lebanon

Forget everything you think you know. Beirut is a place that celebrates and thrives on the party. Warm Mediterranean shores are the perfect instigator for a big night out, and it’s not hard to find.

a city with many buildings and a body of waterNew York, USA

There’s nothing like a 50th floor view over central park. From speakeasies on the Lower East Side to world famous clubs in the Meat Packing district – delights of the night are everywhere.

a water way with boats and buildings in the backgroundCopenhagen, Denmark

Don’t take the reserved cultured of Denmark at it’s word. The city of Copenhagen is a hot bed for pent up excitement, with more places to let loose per capita than most cities on earth.

a city with many buildings and a city skylineBangkok, Thailand

When the beers are cheaper than water – there’s not a lot of choice, is there? Bangkok is a city for all tastes, but if you love to party – there are plenty of underground or sky high jaunts.

a city at night with lights onBelgrade, Serbia

DJ’s, no curfews and dancing make Belgrade one of the wildest cities on earth. If you’re looking to dance the night away – there are plenty of places that never close.

a canal with many white swans and cars in the middleAmsterdam, Netherlands

From red lights to delayed flights – Amsterdam will leave you dazed. The city has everything from upscale genever tastings to debaucherous districts in the home of electro. Party for everyone.

a red building with a tall tower with Sensō-ji in the backgroundTokyo, Japan

Sake bombs, tragic karaoke songs and more whiskey than Lynchburg, Tennessee. Tokyo is a city that never sleeps, and it’s not just the neon signs galore.

a clock tower and a buildingLondon, England

Pubs, clubs and more pubs. London may not be an all night city, but things get started early – and they don’t mess around.

Gilbert Ott

Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly...

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2 Comments

  1. Rio ? Rio is famous by its Carnaval and some festivals, like Rock In Rio, but there´s not much going on about nightlife there, actually. People are still too afraid of street crime at night to fully enjoy nightlife. It´s an unique city, for sure, but its nightlife is just ok.
    In Brazil, two places are the real deal: São Paulo and Florianópolis, with their respective extended urban areas. They are home to all six Brazilian nightclubs ranked among the Top 100 in the world, as well as former ranked clubs. No shortage of festivals and live music in these places. Neighbour cities to Florianopolis, like Camboriú and Porto Belo, have plenty of huge nightclubs, while São Paulo has thousands of live music places and many clubs that open even on weekdays, all night long.

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