When it comes to finding the best bars a city has to offer, from over-the-top tiki haunts to swanky cocktail lounges to grungy-in-all-the-right-ways live music dives, the best thing you can do is ask a local.
And that's just what we did to find the 2026 USA TODAY Bars of the Year. Selected by our network of food writers across the nation — from The Arizona Republic to the Palm Springs Desert Sun — the 38 bars on this year's list represent places you'll want to become a regular, try something new and make memories over a strong drink.
Four of the best bars in the country are right here in the Western United States. And they couldn't be more different.
Buy the book! Our bars of the West featured in 'Shake & Sip: Recipes from America's Best Bars'
In California, The Reef is a tiki destination hidden inside a mid-century, Polynesian-themed motel. In Colorado, Social is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cocktail haven in a decidedly beer-heavy town. And in Arizona, Sunny's Lounge is an award-winning cocktail bar masquerading as a dive and Yucca Taproom is more famous for the musical acts that have played there than for the pints poured.
Here's a closer look at the USA TODAY Bars of the Year in the West.
Sunny's Lounge, ArizonaYucca Tap Room, ArizonaThe Reef, CaliforniaSocial, Colorado
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Sunny's Lounge | Phoenix, Arizona
Details: 2701 E. Indian School Road; 602-316-1117, drinkmoresayless.com
This little gem of a neighborhood watering hole is essentially a really good cocktail bar that cosplays as a dive. Sidle up to the bar at Sunny's to watch the action or snag a red leather booth. Either way, stick to cocktails, which range from straightforward and tasty to slightly unhinged, like the smashburger cocktail made with burger-infused bourbon, Corazon anejo tequila, celery bitters, brioche and dill pickle, served with a mini malt. Trust. If you don’t want a burger cocktail, there are plenty of other options, including a secret menu. As for food, they keep it simple with bar mix and a gourmet hot dog, served either plain or as a rotating "fancy pants glizzy," to help tame the alcohol. It's the kind of place that feels cozy but never boring, thanks to drinks that'll keep you on your toes. – Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic
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Yucca Tap Room | Tempe, Arizona
Details: 29 W. Southern Ave.; 480-967-4777, yuccatap.com
There was a brief but brilliant moment in the early '90s when the Arizona music scene was being looked to as “the next Seattle” – a time when talk like that was all it took to spawn a major-label feeding frenzy. Yucca Tap Room is the last bar standing from that celebrated era. It’s where Roger Clyne and the Refreshments launched their career with a Sunday night residency. And it remains a cherished staple of the local music diet, expanding in recent years to include a pinball arcade and a satellite bar in northern Arizona. – Ed Masley, Arizona Republic
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The Reef | Palm Springs, California
Details: Caliente Tropics Resort, 411 E. Palm Canyon Drive; 760-656-3839, thereefpalmsprings.com
The massive A-frame that provides the entry to Palm Springs’ funky Caliente Tropics resort can feel like a passage between worlds. Outside are cactus, mountain views and the thrum of cars heading to the many motels that line the Coachella Valley’s busiest thoroughfare. But venture in and enter a (faux) tropical paradise of tiki heads and vibes that feel straight out of “Magnum, P.I.” That ambience reaches its zenith at The Reef , a nautical-themed watering hole that pays tribute to this town's tiki bar-obsessed past. The Reef serves mai tais and other boozy concoctions in classic tiki mugs, alongside burgers and fried shrimp, to a colorful crowd that includes motel guests, devoted regulars and maybe even Jimmy Buffett’s ghost (he’d sure love this spot). – Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Social | Fort Collins, Colorado
Details: 1 Old Town Square, Suite 7; 970-449-5606, socialfortcollins.com
When looking to settle in for a night of conversation and something a little mysterious, Social never misses. The speakeasy is a classic that’s been around since 2013, offering specialty cocktails and charcuterie boards that are simply divine. The menu feels like a garden, with drinks that arrive looking as good as they taste, often topped with fresh fruit and bitters. Try the Sweet Li’l Thang, a dessert cocktail with coconut cream and bright citrus notes, or the Unencumbered, a refreshing mix of limoncello and cucumber that’s herbal and a tiny bit sweet. All drinks are presented with an elegant touch that makes the experience feel special every time. – Abigail Flores-Johnson, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Felicia Campbell is deputy features editor at The Arizona Republic, USA TODAY Network West. Reach her at felicia.campbell@azcentral.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These USA TODAY best bars of the West are worth a road trip
