This list was first published in the National Geographic book The World's Best

Cities.

Dublin, Ireland
Wedged between Trinity College and the old city, the Temple Bar area is a
decadent neighborhood of watering holes and nightclubs. The beer flows
in torrents at the Brazen Head, reputedly Ireland’s oldest pub (established
1198) and a fixture in James Joyce’s opus Ulysses.

Belgrade, Serbia
No one would describe Belgrade as beauitful, but its rollicking nightlife is
world-class. Splavovi—riverboat clubs—boom in the glorious warmth of
summer. The dancing shoes come out again in the postindustrial venues
of the Savamala district.

La Paz, Bolivia
At 11,800 feet (3,597 meters), the Bolivian capital gets a tad chilly after
sunset, when residents flock to cozy drinking holes to warm their cockles
and trade secrets. Don’t be bashful: This sophisticated lady greets visitors
with open arms.

São Paulo, Brazil

The choice is overwhelming in Brazil's sensuous megacity and the traffic
deadly, so spiffed-up paulistas grab a meal or drink, walk to the nearest
joint, and shake it, baby, to samba, bossa nova, or (maybe) Brazilian
thrash punk.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Flirt like the devil in fashionable bars along San Sebastián Street, then
twist to sweaty abandon in tropical clubs like Rumba—all with a piña
colada in hand, of course.
Goa, India
Whether you're seeking a secluded bolthole or all-night gyration, Goa's
beaches are right for your fantasy. Channel Goa's hippie '70s heyday at
laid-back locales along the golden south shore. A city ban on all-night
fests hasn't stopped the fun.

Ibiza, Spain
If your dial is permanently set to party, Ibiza's club circuit will keep you
energized late into the Spanish night. Slide on dance floors covered in
soapsuds or join pool revelers under a suspended DJ cabin. Then catch a
Discobus to your next adventure.

Houston, Texas
Take a vat of oil money, add pressed jeans and a toothy Texas grin, and
you've got some mighty fine entertainment after sunset. Club-hopping
along Washington Avenue is buzzy, unpretentious fun. The city isn't all
Stetson-and-spur cowpoke—there's excellent theater and jazz for the artsy
crowd, too.

Thessaloniki, Greece
Remember those playful old Grecian mosaics? The spirit's alive and well
in the Syngrou/Valaoritou and Ladadika districts, not to mention all those
beaches. Thessaloniki has more cafés per capita than any other European
city.

Baku, Azerbaijan
Waves of oil money crashed over rough-edged Baku, and what washed up
became the coolest bar scene this side of the Caucasus. At the William
Shakespeare, expats and Azeris might jump on the counter and get jiggy
together; Konti Pub lets you tap beer from barrels above your table.