10 Best Party Beaches in the US

Miami Beach has three key areas: South Beach, Mid Beach, and North Beach—each with its own distinct vibe, heavenly white sand, and turquoise waters. South Beach is the famous one you’ll recognise from the films, with its colourful Art Deco architecture and legendary nightlife.

For the classic South Beach mega-club experience, follow the party people to celebrity favourites LIV and Story to dance until the sun comes up. If you’re after something a bit more chilled, South Beach has plenty of hip lounges and bars, including Bodega, Broken Shaker, and Minibar. No trip to Miami Beach is complete without experiencing its renowned hotel lobby bars—why not savour a cocktail in the glamorous Eden Roc or Fontainebleau hotels?

Located on the South shore of Honolulu, beautiful Waikiki beach has clean waters and honey-colored sand. It’s home to an eclectic mix of clubs, bars, and late-night venues; from ultra-casual to super-classy, there’s bound to be a night spot to match your mood.

If you’re after an energetic dive bar with live music, you can’t get much better than surfer-favorite Arnold’s, which boasts tiki-inspired décor. Stylish beachside lounge RumFire is popular for good reason: amazing sunset views, inventive cocktails, and epic parties. For those wanting to dance the night away, The District nightclub features the best DJs, dancers, and even salsa lessons. And for something a bit different, Waikiki Beach has a thriving karaoke scene—check out Wang Chung’s.

This subtropical ocean paradise located on South Padre Island, Texas, lives up to its name with pristine white sand and sparkling waters, and is a very popular Spring Break destination thanks to its buzzing nightlife.

The beach is lined with many bars, with one of the best-known being Clayton’s Beach Bar: “the biggest beach bar in Texas.” Clayton’s offers food, a large selection of cocktails, volleyball, and indoor and outdoor areas, with revellers spilling out onto the beach and enjoying the outdoor club when the sun goes down. If you’ve ever wanted to dance with the sand between your toes, this is the place.

This laid-back location offers much for fun-lovers to explore, from lively rooftop bars to chilled-out lounges—all with a stunning ocean view. The famous Venice Beach Boardwalk is a great spot for watching the area’s colourful characters.

The Waterfront Restaurant and Bar is one of the trendiest spots on the beach. Indoors, there’s a choice of two bars—one lively, one more like a lounge. Outside, you can enjoy frozen drinks and even fermented cocktails on the front patio. The surfing crowd often heads to the Venice Whaler, but if you’re looking for a more sophisticated night out, Venice Pier and the Washington Square area will be just what you’re looking for.

With its many casinos, arcades, and rollercoasters, Seaside Heights is one of the most exciting, fun-packed party beach destinations to visit.

The Beachcomber Bar and Grill was made famous by the cast of Jersey Shore, who ate there in the daytime and then stayed to dance the night away. Also popular with the cast was Jenkinson’s. If you fancy drinks right on the beach, head to their Jenks Pavilion Bar or North Inlet Bar. And if you’re in the mood for dancing, try JENKS Club.

This 30-mile-long island lies around 38 miles from Central New York. It has many attractions including a lighthouse, a sunken forest, sandy beaches—and, of course, a vibrant night scene.

The Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove areas of Fire Island are known as “gay Disneyland”, offering gay-friendly clubs, bars, and restaurants along the golden beaches. Sip N’ Twirl, which is the Pines’ most popular lounge and club, has a giant dancefloor and features up-and-coming DJs. Meanwhile, the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove boasts an outdoor deck, swimming pool, and large dancefloor for a decadent night to remember.

The island is known for its abundant wildlife, excellent SCUBA diving, and stunning beaches. The main port, Avalon, is where most of the action happens, including the best beach parties.

Descanso Beach Club is one of the last private Californian beaches open to the public, and the only one you can legally drink on. Descanso’s live DJs make it a beach party to remember, and you can upgrade your experience with a luxurious private cabana. For something a bit different, head to Luau Larry’s for their famous Wiki Wacker, a very strong alcoholic drink that comes with a special straw hat. Luau Larry’s often has live music singalongs at night, no doubt made all the better by the Wiki Wackers.

Fort Lauderdale Beach is a four-mile stretch of white sand lapped by crystal-clear waters. The many events held there lend the beach a great party atmosphere—there’s Tortuga Music Festival in April, Audacy Beach Festival in December, the Great American Beach Party (for Memorial Day weekend), 4th of July Spectacular, and Pride Fort Lauderdale Beach Festival and Parade in February.

The legendary Elbo Room has been around since 1939 and hosts live bands and beach parties; its ocean view from the top deck is said to be the best in Fort Lauderdale. For a high-energy night on the beach, head to Rock Bar for food, drinks, and dancing in front of the ocean.

At over 10 miles long, Ocean City Beach is a spectacular sight. Its nightlife is equally spectacular, with live music bringing the party vibes.

Ocean Club—at hip hotel Ocean City Fontainebleau Resort—offers a nightclub atmosphere and local live music for a fun night out. Rock On at the Purple Moose Saloon is another fabulous party spot renowned for its lively rock performances and superb DJs, and is one of the best places to see live music. If a dive bar is more your thing, head to The Original Greene Turtle, which has a great beach location and was voted the best sports bar in Ocean City.

If you want to be at the heart of the action, head to Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Avenue, a three-mile boardwalk packed with bars and clubs.

Peabody’s nightclub, founded in 1967, is known for its buzzing dancefloor. Peabody’s opens early for happy hour… and then the party just doesn’t stop. Another great club is RY Lounge, known for its great atmosphere and exciting weekend events. Chemistry is a club where everyone will feel at home, thanks to the friendly welcome and a playlist that includes almost every genre. Finally, Live! On Atlantic is a festival that begins on Memorial Day and creates a magical atmosphere you won’t want to miss.