The world’s 10 best cities for nightlife have been revealed – and only three are in Europe

Published on 26/08/2026 - 9:00 GMT+2

Bangkok has just been named the world’s best city for nightlife in 2026.

The Thai capital topped the ranking from Time Out following a survey of more than 24,000 local residents across 150 cities worldwide.

City dwellers were asked about things like how affordable night outs are, and if a city feels lively, diverse and safe after dark.

A solid 73% of Bangkok residents rated their city’s nightlife as good or amazing, while Time Out’s experts praised its variety, with everything from rooftop spots and dive bars.

Topping the list on the continent with second place overall is Berlin, which should come as no surprise to anyone that has experienced the clubbing scene there.

The magazine praised the city for “continuing to set the benchmark for nightlife”, with a further 78% of locals rating it highly.

Picking up third place, New York City was praised for its ever-evolving scene that keeps things exciting, whether you’re after a casual glass of wine or a late-night warehouse rave.

The top five was rounded out by Melbourne in Australia, and São Paulo in Brazil.

How Europe fared in the nightlife ranking

Aside from Berlin, two other European cities made it into the top 10 – Brighton in eighth, and Amsterdam in 10th.

UK seaside resort Brighton received the highest community score, with 84% of locals saying it’s easy to meet people and feel part of the city's community, and tied second with New York as the cities most likely to be described as both “lively” and “diverse and inclusive”. The city was also praised for its LGBTQ+ scene.

Amsterdam earned its place thanks to its bustling nightlife scene in the city centre and beyond, with Time Out highlighting WorldPride 2026 as helping to cement the Dutch capital’s reputation as “one of Europe's most welcoming and inclusive places to go out”.

“A good night out is no longer defined by one type of venue; in 2026, street parties and rooftop raves are bigger than ever, while locals are no longer flocking to one or two big-name venues, instead heading to nightlife districts where bar-hopping is the name of the game,” Grace Beard, travel editor at Time Out, said.

“What makes the cities on this list so special is their ability to adapt to our changing nightlife habits. From over-30s parties to speakeasies and listening bars, every city offers unforgettable experiences for every kind of night out and every kind of person. That's exactly what great city life should look like.”

The top 10 cities for nightlife in the world

1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Berlin, Germany
3. New York City, US
4. Melbourne, Australia
5. São Paulo, Brazil
6. Medellín, Colombia
7. Johannesburg, South Africa
8. Brighton, UK
9. Beijing, China
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands