The world’s best cities for nightlife in 2024 have been named by Time Out and it’s Rio de Janeiro that takes the crown.
It’s followed by Manila in the Philippines, described as the ‘most affordable city on the list’. Austin in Texas and the UK’s Manchester also make the top 10.
The ranking has been created based on a survey of thousands of locals who rated their city’s nightlife on its ‘quality and affordability’ as well as naming the ‘nightlife venues and experiences they love the most in their city’.
Grace Beard, travel editor at Time Out, says: ‘Nightlife has changed a lot over the past four years. But while club closures and work-from-home culture have thrown its future into question, cities the world over have done what they do best: rolled with the times.
‘Our inaugural Time Out ranking of the World’s Best Cities for Nightlife champions the destinations where a great night out is an easy find.’ Scroll down to see the results in full…
13. Singapore
Singapore (13th) has a trend for ‘healthy hedonism’ – where ‘freezing cold plunges are followed by sizzling dance floors’. Pictured above is Singapore’s Marquee club
Time Out’s experts say: ‘As well as high-end clubbing and underground techno nights, Singaporeans are also practising “healthy hedonism” – a term coined by party people Wild Pearl and Yes You.
‘The idea flips nightlife on its head at daytime parties like Immersion, where freezing cold plunges are followed by sizzling dance floors, and where people shirk the booze for kombucha.’
12. Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei (12th) has ‘something for everyone, whether it’s a low-alcohol cocktail or a craft beer’
‘[Taipei] is a city where balance is key, from high-energy parties at Final and Studio 9 to relaxed vibes at Fake Sober Taipei,’ says Time Out.
The guide adds: ‘There’s something for everyone, whether it’s a low-alcohol cocktail or a craft beer, but the locals know the most important thing is to cap off the night by lining your stomach at one of the city’s many late-night hotpot restaurants, open until 2.30am.’
11. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires (11th) has a nightlife where boundaries are pushed, says Time Out
In Buenos Aires, it’s fiestas with a ‘relaxed, inclusive and strong familial vibe’ that have ‘taken over’ the city’s nightlife scene in recent years, according to the Time Out team.
They say: ‘Most have a specific theme, and some are really pushing boundaries like Ecstatic Dance, where both talking and wearing shoes are not permitted.’
10. Accra, Ghana
In Accra (10th), the ‘streets are buzzing with food vendors and music on any given night’. Above – Accra’s South Village
The capital of Ghana’s nightlife is as ‘vibrant as ever’, say Time Out’s experts.
They add: ‘On any given night, streets are buzzing with food vendors and music as well as open-air concerts, live DJ sets and art festivals.’
9. Budapest, Hungary
The party keeps going all year in Budapest (9th), says Time Out
‘Budapest’s stunning cityscape’ is a ‘backdrop for DJ sets and parties’ at its best summer rooftop spots, says Time Out.
But it’s not just about summer. The guide adds: ‘In winter, cosy communal igloos will pop up to keep the party going all year round.’
8. Manchester, UK
In Manchester (8th), ‘clued-up clubbers’ are ‘rejecting mainstream venues and adopting the spirit of early rave’
Time Out’s experts say that ‘Manchester’s best clubs are equal parts inclusive and authentic’.
They add: ‘[The city’s] clued-up clubbers [are] rejecting mainstream venues and adopting the spirit of early rave in industrial estate venues like Hidden or The White Hotel.’
7. Rotterdam, Netherlands
In Rotterdam (7th), ‘people gather for for “biertjes” (which means, literally, “little beers”)’
In Rotterdam, Time Out says ‘there’s something happening on every corner and canal’.
The guide adds: ‘Come rain or sun, people gather for “biertjes” (which means, literally, “little beers”).’
6. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos (6th) has seen ‘familar spaces being used for fun new nightlife events’
‘This summer, nightlife in Lagos has taken on a theme with events that celebrate the city’s rich history alongside nights that look to the future, with familiar venues like Freedom Park and The House hosting fun new nightlife events like salsa nights and networking,’ says Time Out.
The guide notes that Lagos earned an 80 per cent quality score for its nightlife scene, and that it’s not too expensive to locals either, scoring 48 per cent for affordability.
5. Austin, USA
Austin (5th) topped the rankings of all US cities surveyed. Above – The Volstead Lounge patio
Time Out reveals that Texas’s state capital – ‘aka the Live Music Capital of the World’ – topped the rankings of all US cities surveyed.
The guide continues: ‘In a city where summer can last six months, Austinites are looking for a different kind of “cool”, with many heading to Barton Springs – a huge, vibrant, freshwater pool – for a relaxed Friday-night party.’
Barton Springs ‘doubles as Austin’s sexiest dating pool’, according to Time Out.
4. Guadalajara, Mexico
Nightlife in Guadalajara (4th) was rated the highest for quality out of every city on the list
Time Out says: ‘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 this list, with locals giving it a top score of 92 per cent.’
Guadalajara’s nightlife is centred around the buzzing ‘Expiatorio’ neighbourhood, according to Time Out, which adds: ‘Known affectionately as Tori, Expiatorio is a relaxed neighbourhood with impromptu salsa dances in the square, loads of quirky bars and local food stalls for a late-night refuel.’
3. Berlin, Germany
Berlin (3rd) ranked highest of all European cities surveyed
Time Out says: ‘With its legendary club scene, techno parties and true 24-hour-city status, it’ll come as a shock to no-one that Berlin ranked highest of all European cities surveyed.’
The guide continued: ‘While some of the city’s nightlife institutions may have shut down, partygoers are taking things outside with the return of word-of-mouth outdoor raves and, in summer, a weekly beach party on the shores of Plötzensee.’
2. Manila, Philippines
Above is Uma Nota restaurant in Manila (2nd), which transforms into a ‘vibrant bar’
Manila was ‘dubbed by locals’ as the ‘most affordable city on the list’, according to Time Out.
The guide says: ‘Visitors can find a twist on a classic cocktail menu at speakeasy Cheshire with 52 unique drinks presented on a menu printed on a deck of cards.’
And the newly opened Uma Nota restaurant transforms ‘into a vibrant bar complete with live dancers as the night progresses’.
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nightlife in Brazil’s ‘raucous seaside city’ Rio (1st) was given a 90 per cent quality score
The winning city, Rio de Janeiro, was ‘hardly going to miss out on the number one spot’ as it’s home to Carnaval, ‘the world’s biggest party’, says Time Out.
The nightlife experts also highlight the city’s ‘up-and-coming gastronomic hotspots like Alba and Vian Cocktail Bar [which] become dancefloors at the weekend, taking over from the traditional “nightclub”‘.
Nightlife in Brazil’s ‘raucous seaside city’ was given a 90 per cent quality score.
For more visit www.timeout.com/travel/worlds-best-cities-for-nightlife.
