Some cities only reveal their true colors after dark, when the heat subsides, the drinks flow and inhibitions fall. However, a great nightlife can mean different things for different people. For some a great night out is a quiet night at a cocktail lounge, while for others it takes a full-scale Hangover-style adventure to qualify. But no matter which type of night you prefer, there’s no doubt that the following cities can keep you entertained. They are, after all, the cities with the world’s best nightlife!
10. Singapore
[Also see our travel articles on Singapore]
Exciting nightlife probably doesn’t come to mind when most people think of Singapore, but despite its reputation as a straight-laced and uptight city, Singapore is actually home to an exciting and vibrant nightlife.
The majority of Singapore’s nightlife can be found on the river, near the CBD. Boat Quay, with its many lounge bars, is a popular spot for early-evening drinks. Meanwhile just upstream from Boat Quay is Singapore’s nightlife and entertainment capital, Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is home to dozens upon dozens of bars and restaurants and some of Singapore’s largest nightclubs. The drinks are expensive and the decor is kitsch but that doesn’t stop party revelers from enjoying the scene almost every night of the week.
Located further upstream from Clarke Quay is Zouk, Singapore’s most famous nightclub. A must-see attraction for anyone who enjoys nightlife, Zouk is often proclaimed as the best nightclub in Asia by international entertainment magazines.
A crowd of partiers enjoying the music and atmosphere of Zouk!
Photo Credits: Zouk
9. Turkish Riviera, Turkey
[Also see "The Turkish Riviera: More Than You Expect"]
The only Islamic country to make the list, Turkey is a secular country that doesn’t have the same strict laws regarding alcohol that many Islamic countries have. While Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, is no slouch when it comes to nighttime entertainment, for the best nightlife in Turkey one has to travel to the Turkish Riviera.
It may surprise some people to learn that Turkey has a long and beautiful coastline that stretches along the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea. The southeastern part of this coast is known as the Turkish Riviera and this region is home to beautiful beaches and stunning natural scenery. After the sun goes down and the tourists retreat from the beaches, charming towns such as Bodrum, Kusadasi and Marmaris come alive with a vibrant nightlife. Most of the clientele are foreign tourists, but the fun atmosphere of the clubs and bars make them something truly special.
When the sun sets on scenic Bodrum, the party people come out to play in the many beachfront nightclubs.
8. New York City, USA
[Also see our travel articles on New York]
New York is known as the city that never sleeps, so it’s fitting that the city also has some of the world’s best nightlife. Unlike Los Angeles where the bars close at 2 am (lame!), bars in New York stay open until the more reasonable hour of 4 am.
The Meat Packing District is the place to be for the city’s trendiest and largest nightclubs, often times literally packed with models and celebrities. SoHo has some of the city’s coolest lounge bars and small nightclubs. The Village, which gained notoriety in the 1950s for its bohemian lifestyle, is still bustling almost every night of the week and is packed with comedy clubs, restaurants and bars. Meanwhile Brooklyn is the spot for hipster bars and live-music performances.
It doesn't take long to be won over by New York's 'Empire State of Mind'.
7. Mykonos and Ios, Greece
[Also see our travel articles on Greece]
The Greek Islands, in the Aegean Sea, are the summertime playgrounds of travelers from across Europe. While both Mykonos and Ios are alike when it comes to natural beauty, great weather and sun-soaked beaches, the similarities between the two islands end there.
Mykonos is a haven for jetsetters and the elite. It’s known for its upscale clubs and vibrant gay scene. Presumptuously named beaches Paradise Beach and Super Paradie Beach keep visitors entertained during the day with their festive atmospheres and cold drinks. Both beaches have designated sections for gay travelers, facilitating the ease of mingling and flirting. At night the action moves to Mykonos Town and its many bars and nightclubs.
Ios on the other hand is a favorite for backpackers and budget travelers. Its main city of Chora, a small hilltop city of white buildings and small lanes, is packed with bars and clubs. So many young travelers descend upon Ios in the summer that the island starts to resemble a scene out of a Girls Gone Wild video – you will literally be flashed.
When the sun goes down, the people of Ios come out to play.
6. Tel Aviv, Israel
[Also see "One Week in Israel"]
The Miami Beach of the Middle East, Tel Aviv is located on the Mediterranean Sea and is known for being a happening and cutting-edge place. The city has excellent beaches, a great restaurant and cafe scene and the best nightlife in the Middle East. It’s also the most gay-friendly city in the Middle East and every year its gay pride parade is attended by thousands of revelers.
The best part about the nightlife in Tel Aviv, though, is its people. Israelis are known for being friendly and attractive, in fact, Tel Aviv made it onto both of our lists of the cities with the best looking men and women! So forget about Israel’s biblical history and instead spend your days dancing until sunrise at a beachfront club surrounded by olive-skinned hotties.
Tel Aviv is the Middle East's most happening and cutting-edge city!
