BRITISH
BRITISH

The best cities in the world for nightlife

Updated

From Bangkok to Berlin, the most vibrant cities tempt travelers at night with all kinds of entertainment

Tourists enter a newly-legal cannabis shop.
Tourists enter a newly-legal cannabis shop.AP

All cities in the world change at night. There is a different atmosphere, different attractions. Few transform like these, the ones chosen this year by Time Out as the best cities to go out at night. A ranking for which the magazine, in collaboration with the tour operator Intrepid Travel, has asked more than 24,000 people from around the world. And of course, everything has come out: nightclubs, cocktail bars, craft beer pubs, speakeasies, and rooftop bars with panoramic views. How were they chosen? First, overall quality. Also affordable prices, safety, inclusivity, and community atmosphere.

Taking all this into account, the undisputed winner of the ranking this year is Bangkok. It seems that there is nothing that cannot be found in the capital of Thailand, from street bars to terraces with incredible views. Although for experts, what really makes it unique is that natural dynamic where "parties naturally spill out onto the streets". There is no better neighborhood to check this out than Chinatown and its surroundings, as we have verified.

Berlin ranks second globally and is the top city on the continent for nightlife. Famous for its legendary electronic music venues and the richness of its subculture, 78% of Berliners are satisfied or more than satisfied with their nightlife. But beware, the Time Out panel of experts awarded it a perfect score of 100%. New York, known for the diversity of its nightlife, and Melbourne, with its abundance of casual and welcoming bars, rank third and fourth. São Paulo, on the other hand, closes the top 5.

The vibrant dance scene of Medellín and its reggaeton culture could not be missing from this list. The Colombian city takes the sixth position. Johannesburg, the British Brighton, Beijing, and Amsterdam, in that order, have also been included in the Olympus of the most vibrant metropolises on the planet.

Some readers may already be thinking: And the Spanish city? The Spanish pavilion is represented in the ranking by Madrid, which ranks 14th - or sixth among European cities, behind those already mentioned, as well as Porto (11th) and Athens (13th). Some may find it insufficient given the nightlife we are accustomed to. The wise will know... "The first thing you should know is that in Madrid, the night rarely starts before 23:00, and the last dance usually lasts until the last minute," say those from our capital. According to the data collected in the ranking, "79% of Madrid residents highly value their nightlife, especially in terms of nightclubs (62%) and casual bars and pubs (68%)". The magazine highlights Madrid's peculiarities such as mystical bars, where tarot readings and palmistry are done with cocktails, and high-fidelity bars.

THE BEST NIGHTLIFE ON THE PLANET

Time Out

  1. Bangkok
  2. Berlín
  3. Nueva York
  4. Melbourne
  5. São Paulo
  6. Medellín
  7. Johannesburgo
  8. Brighton
  9. Pekín
  10. Ámsterdam
  11. Oporto
  12. Hong Kong
  13. Atenas
  14. Madrid
  15. Hanoi