The World’s Best Cities for Nightlife
Published by FareCompare on August 26, 2024
What cities across the globe are the best for nightlife and party people? If you've been wondering where you can hit the dance floor and shake your groove thing on an upcoming trip, you're in luck. TimeOut has just released its ranking of best nightlife cities in the world, and we've got the results ready for you!
Since 2020, the world has undoubtedly changed in many ways. Venues closing, higher cost of living that results in changed social habits, and the younger generations don't seem to be as keen to rage into the wee hours as their predecessors.
But this isn't all a bad thing. It just means that the cool spots where people in the know like to hang have changed – word-of-mouth parties, underground raves, unique listening bars, and more are popping up all over. Parties that have a stronger focus on sobriety are gaining popularity, too.
TimeOut is known for its commitment to sharing only the best in culture, events, and other goings-on around the world. For this 2024 ranking, they surveyed thousands of people in hundreds of cities across the world. Locals were asked to rate their city's nightlife scene by both quality and affordability.
Some cities might surprise you, others are long-time classics that never let you down. Either way, read on for the top 10 best cities for nightlife in the world for 2024.
The Best Cities in the World for Nightlife
Ranking compiled by TimeOut
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Home to perhaps the world's most famous Carnaval, it's easy to see why Rio landed in the number one spot. Nightlife in Brazil’s wild beachside city was given a 90% quality score, and locals rated it highly for affordability, too. But what exactly makes nightlife in Rio so great? According to TimeOut's survey of locals, the best things about going out in Rio are the bohemian bars of Lapa, live music, dance halls and spontaneous outdoor samba parties.
2. Manila, Philippines
A night out won’t drain your bank account in the Philippine capital city, which won the title as the most affordable city for nightlife. Not only that, but Manila’s nightlife scene earned an impressive 78% quality score, with locals describing the city as "beautiful," "bright," and "alive" after hours. According to locals, Manila’s nightlife has the edge for its late-night food markets like Divisoria and the lively districts of Poblacion and Bonifacio Global City.
3. Berlin, Germany
With its legendary club scene, techno parties and true 24-hour-city status, it’s a shock to absolutely no one that Berlin ranked highest of all European cities surveyed. Nightlife in the German capital earned scores of 82% for quality and 48% for affordability, with locals shouting out iconic clubs Tresor and Matrix alongside the lively pockets of Friedrichshain and Warschauer Straße.
4. Guadalajara, Mexico
As the capital of a region that gave the world mariachi music and tequila, Guadalajara is a guaranteed good time – and locals agree. Nightlife in Guadalajara was rated the highest for quality out of every city on the list, with locals giving it a top score of 92%. A low affordability rating of 28% knocked the city back a few pegs in our ranking.
5. Austin, Texas
The capital of Texas – also known as the Live Music Capital of the World – topped the rankings of all U.S. cities surveyed. In fact, nightlife in Austin received the third-highest quality score from locals in our survey, with the buzzy thoroughfares of 6th Street and Congress Avenue receiving the most shoutouts.
6. Lagos, Nigeria
Afrobeats, a sound that has taken dancefloors by storm the world over, has its roots in Nigeria, so it’s no wonder the country’s largest urban hub scored so highly on the nightlife front. Lagos earned an 80% quality score for its nightlife scene, and it’s not too expensive to locals either, scoring 48% for affordability.
7. Rotterdam, the Netherlands
The Netherlands’ second city ranked as the second-most affordable destination for nightlife in the survey. Locals named the industrial Maassilo and dance club Annabel as their favorite venues, but while the city’s techno and clubbing scene received its fair share of mentions, the most-used term to describe Rotterdam’s nightlife was "cozy."
8. Manchester, England
Anyone who’s been out in this wild place typically has a story for the ages, so legendary is the northern city’s nightlife scene in the UK. Locals gave Manchester’s nightlife an 80% score for quality, though they didn’t rate it so highly for affordability, which earned a score of just 28%. Locals also praised the "inclusiveness" and "variety" of Manchester’s after-dark offerings.
9. Budapest, Hungary
Locals in Budapest couldn’t settle on one favorite nightlife venue – Budapest Park, Remix, Instant-Fogas, CAT, BOB, Peaches and Cream, and Morrison’s 2 all received multiple shoutouts in the TimeOut survey. In other words, the Hungarian capital is bursting at the seams with options for a great night out on the town. With an 80% quality score, Budapest’s nightlife scene is easily up there as one of the best in Europe.
10. Accra, Ghana
Ghana’s coastal capital ranked well overall for its nightlife scene, scoring 66% for quality and 36% for affordability. Locals described nightlife in Accra as "beautiful," "peaceful," and "safe," naming the bar-laden neighborhood of Osu and Labadi Beach – known for its all-night-long beach parties – as their favorite spots to let loose.
