Popular Party Places & Unique Alternatives

Whether you are planning a bachelor party, getting away for spring break, or just love to let loose, you should check out these hot party destinations. We will be discussing vacation spots that are already well known for their nightlife, events, music scene, and cocktails. However, we will be comparing them to some lesser-known party places that may be cheaper, less-crowded, and potentially more fun!

Las Vegas AKA Sin City is at the top of any party animal’s bucket list. The Nevada hotspot has so many nightclubs, casinos, shows, and restaurants that it is often referred to as “The Entertainment Capital Of The World.” If you choose this popular party destination, we suggest you do the following:

First, get out of the desert heat by diving into a hip adults-only pool. You can go to an official dayclub such as Drai’s Beachclub, Wet Republic, Daylight Beach Club, or Marquee Dayclub. Alternatively, some iconic casino hotels such as Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, and The Cosmopolitan allow non-guests to purchase day passes to use their pool facilities.

When you get hungry, dig into dishes from celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Guy Fieri, and Bobby Flay or visit one of Vegas’ iconic buffets. 

At night, you should consider seeing a show. The 2024 lineup includes musical artists such as Adele, Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, and Mariah Carey. If you love magic, you should consider seeing David Copperfield’s act, or one of the many Cirque du Soleil spectacles. For more risqué entertainment, Las Vegas is home to burlesque shows such as Rouge and Thunder From Down Under.

True clubbers may want to head directly to the dance floor. Popular nightclubs in Las Vegas include Tao, Jewel, and Hakkasan. 

Finally, one cannot discuss Las Vegas without mentioning gambling. The city is full of low and high-end casinos, with every game imaginable. You can always spend your vacation spinning a roulette wheel or catching cards at a poker table.

If you want to talk numbers, China’s Macau region is the actual gambling capital of the world. Its casinos bring in four times more cash than the ones in Las Vegas. You will recognize Western casinos such as The Venetian, MGM, and Wynn. However, Macau also has casinos you won’t find in Las Vegas, including the Casino Grand Lisboa, Galaxy Macau, The Londoner Macao, and Studio City. 

If you love live performances the hotels in Macau have grand Vegas-style theaters featuring water shows, magic acts, fireworks displays, and more. 

Macau has a hip and happening nightlife. One popular venues is Para Club. It features a Gothic style bar, a large performance stage, and a laser-lit dance pool. Another fun nightclub is Moon On Planet (MOP). If you seek spectacular views of the Macau skyline, head to Sky 21 bar at the top of the AIA Tower. It has a resident DJ and hosts themed parties.

Like Vegas, Macau is a great place for foodies. The former fishing village now has 18 Michelin-starred restaurants. The cuisine ranges from traditional Chinese dishes, to British pub food a la Gordon Ramsay. French celebrity chefs Alain Ducasse and Joel Robuchon have award-winning restaurants at the Morpheus and Lisboa casinos, respectively.

Macau is a gambling hub off the beaten track. If you love Las Vegas but want to see a different part of the world, Macau may be a great option. 

Ibiza, a Spanish island in the Balearic Sea, is one of the world’s top clubbing destinations. Its venues attract the world’s best DJs, and at least 3 million tourists visit the island each year. 

You can party day or night — and if you’re lucky, you may spot some celebrities partying with you. Popular beach clubs include Nassau, Nikki Beach, and Blue Marlin. In the evening, dress to impress and head to nightclubs such as Pacha, Amnesia, Eden, DC10, and Ushuaïa. If you are a fan of electronic music, the island is a must-visit party place. 

When you are not getting your groove on, be sure to take a dip in the turquoise water at one of Ibiza’s sandy beaches. You should also explore the charming Old Town (which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site). You can tour an ancient fortress, shop for souvenirs at a hippie street market, or relax at one of Ibiza’s wellness retreats.

Sunny beach is a more affordable party zone in Europe. It has lovely sand beaches on the Black Sea, and is known for its lively nightlife. Its beach clubs attract top DJs and tourists who love house music.

If you are looking for a stylish venue, check out Bedroom Beach, Cacao Beach Club, and Mania Beach Bar. You will find a hip crowd, plush furniture, and delicious cocktails. 

If you prefer a more rustic setting, we suggest visiting Mexo Beach Bar, Playa Beach Bar, or Viking Beach Bar. You can drink cheap, tasty drinks in a straw-roofed hut before taking a dip. At some of the beach clubs you can play games such as volleyball, or corn hole. 

When you are not partying, you should cool down at one of the water parks in Sunny Beach. 

One of the best ways to celebrate is with a parade! You can party with thousands of people while you watch eye-catching floats and entertainers with lavish costumes. One cannot mention parades without thinking of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It is such a popular event that the city of New Orleans often doubles in population leading up to Fat Tuesday.

The festivities last for two whole weeks, and you can enjoy numerous parades, music gigs, and parties in and around the French Quarter. Bourbon Street is literally full of bars and clubs, but if we had to pick our favorites we would recommend Old Absinthe House, Krazy Korner, and Tropical Isle’s Bayou Club.

The Irish know how to throw a party, and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin are a sight to behold. The four-day festival features musical performances, races, pageants, food fairs, art exhibitions, and more. The highlight is the parade on March 17 with its marching bands, Celtic dancers, giant puppets, and imaginative floats. Revelers often wear green face paint and crazy hats while they cheer along the two-mile-long parade route. 

Be sure to drink a pint of Guinness at one of the city’s popular watering holes. The Temple Bar, The Auld Dubliner, and The Celt come to mind. If you truly love the beer, you should find time to tour the Guinness Brewery. 

If you are looking for a city that attracts partygoers all year long, head to Berlin. According to the Consumer Choice Center’s Nightlife Index 2023, Berlin is the “World’s Best Party City.” It has over 4,000 bars and clubs, most of which have flexible closing times. If the mood strikes you, go ahead and party all night long!

Berlin has bars and clubs to suit any taste. Its DJs play techno, pop, hip hop, R&B, disco, and more. You can find laid back lounges, hedonistic sex parties, and everything in between. 

Some of the city’s unique party spots include: Klunkerkranich (you can dance and enjoy epic views atop a high-rise parking structure), Hoppetosse (a nightclub on a boat), and Prince Charles (where partygoers groove to 90s hip hop in a former swimming pool). 

Berlin can get incredibly crowded, so you may want to check out a lesser-known party city. Belgrade has some of the best clubbing and partying, and you can have fun without breaking the bank. The city has nightlife hubs in different neighborhoods:

Former industrial district, Savamala, is now an artsy urban zone with a variety of clubs, bars, and restaurants. Popular nightclubs there include Hype, Industrija Bar, Tranzit, and The Bank. 

Belgrade’s old Bohemian quarter, Skadarlija, is a more laid-back area. You can spend the evening at a pub listening to live Serbian folk music and drinking the local liquor, rakija. 

The most popular option is to party on the water at one of the riverboat clubs (splavovi) docked along the banks of the Danube and Sava rivers. There is a slav for everyone. Each riverboat focuses on a particular genre of music, including house, R&B, techno, hip-hop, trance, and the relatively new turbo-folk. You can enjoy a gorgeous sunset and then party until the wee hours of the morning. Some great floating clubs to check out include: Shake ‘N Shake, Lasta Splav, and Splav Bridge. 

The above are just a few nightlife options. You should always be on the lookout for hot new party destinations. 

If you are looking for more travel tips, please read our articles: Unique Hotel Stays Around the World, Top 5 Places To Ring In The New Year, and Jaw-Dropping Dining Experiences Worldwide.