Picture this: the sound of a saxophone in a dimly lit room. The hum of the ocean’s waves, the gentle brush of the breeze, or the smell of saltwater on a rooftop. These are the nights that remind you that you deserve to celebrate your hard work in a mature and sophisticated way.
Luxurious nightlife isn’t about being seen just anywhere or the performance of bottle service and velvet ropes in nightclubs. It’s about being in an atmosphere that fosters intentional, meaningful moments with the people who matter most. From the jazz-soaked streets of New Orleans to rooftop perches above Charlotte, these are the spots where nighttime luxury isn’t about being trendy for social media; it’s a timeless standard that leaves an impression no filter could capture.
Rooftops & Hotel Bars
The Velvet Lounge Inside Culver Hotel – Los Angeles
From the moment you step inside the Culver Hotel, you know you are walking into one of the most iconic nightlife experiences in Los Angeles. You immediately walk into a blend of timeless and vintage charm that will make even the homebodies want to linger.
Tucked away on the mezzanine level past the Culver Hotel’s Grand Lobby, Velvet Lounge is a chic, speakeasy-inspired space that’s equipped with a full bar, dance area, and a disco ball. The space is small and intimate, but once you step inside, you will be blown away by its beauty. It’s ideal for those who want to savor the moments in an intimate ambiance.
ROOF On theWit – Chicago
Located in the heart of Chicago’s theater, arts, and shopping district, theWit Hotel pays homage to creativity and expression. Its legendary rooftop bar, ROOF On theWit, sits 27 stories above the city, drawing locals and visitors alike.
ROOF consistently ranks among the top three rooftop experiences. It’s where Chicago comes alive, especially at night. When the sun sets, ROOF transforms into Chicago’s premier nightlife destination. The lights glow, the DJs turn up the volume, and the skyline becomes your backdrop for an unforgettable night. You can choose between a casual night out or a VIP experience.
Nubé – Fort Lauderdale
Located on the sands of South Florida, Beach House Fort Lauderdale is home to one of the most stunning rooftop lounges: Nubé.
Situated on the 26th floor, this must-visit rooftop offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and coastal dining with craft cocktails. It’s the perfect destination for winding down. Head there during the golden hour and welcome the sea breezes as Nubé delivers an elegant, unforgettable evening.
St. Regis Bar – Washington, D.C.
It’s safe to say that St. Regis Bar lives up to its expectations inside one of Washington, D.C.’s most royal hotels. For nearly a century, The St. Regis Washington, D.C. has welcomed world leaders, dignitaries, royalty, and Hollywood icons. Ideally situated in DC’s famed downtown district, this historic Washington, D.C., hotel is just steps from the White House and within walking distance of the National Mall’s monuments and museums.
You are surrounded by unparalleled luxury from the moment you arrive, with the hotel’s magnificent grand lobby featuring ornate Florentine gold ceilings, dramatic two-tiered crystal chandeliers, and sumptuous decorations and furnishings. This luxury extends to the bar, where you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails inspired by the season, an extensive spirits list, and exceptional small bites.
Top of the V at The Viv Hotel – Anaheim
When you walk into the Top of the V, you will be immersed in a chic, urban rooftop lounge with a modern, open-air vibe, ideal for an evening of socializing. With an elevated vantage above Anaheim’s busy streets, you immediately get the sense of city escape without actually leaving the city. Top of the V blends coastal flavors, theatrical tableside presentations, and sweeping views of Anaheim.
Aura Rooftop – Charlotte
Follow the glow five stories high to the JW Marriott Charlotte rooftop lounge, a space inspired by the regal aura of Queen Charlotte herself. Aura offers the most incredible views of Charlotte. The views reflecting off the building’s mirror-like facade are even more alluring with Aura’s signature botanical cocktails or a favorite pour in hand.
What’s even better is that the service is just as exceptional as the views. Expect great music, a stylish atmosphere, and an overall satisfying night out in Queen City.
The Nectar Room – Orlando
Known as one of the most impressive venues in Orlando, the Nectar Room inside the Lake Nona Wave Hotel sits on the sweeter side of Orlando’s nightlife. It’s vibrant, but subdued. Far removed, but right within reach. It’s nothing you’d ever expect, yet exactly where you’d expect in this whimsical hotel.
Located on the second floor of Lake Nona Wave Hotel, expect to paint the night in vibrant hues. From the tantalizing entertainment, tableside mixology, and enough Champagne to keep the good times flowing all night long, the only thing missing from this masterpiece of a fun night out is you.
Jazz Clubs
Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club – New Orleans
In the city where Jazz originated, there’s no better city in the country to experience the genre that emerged from blending blues, ragtime, spirituals, and brass band traditions. New Orleans is synonymous with Jazz. Experience its rich Jazz history at Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club. Paul Sylvester Jr. named the club after his mother, Lorraine, who opened a restaurant there in 1975. As it celebrates more than 50 years of New Orleans history, Sweet Lorraine’s is a celebration of sound, rhythm, and community.
Complementing the music is a menu also steeped in tradition, featuring New Orleans cuisine classics such as red beans and rice, smothered catfish, golden beignets, and other beloved Creole dishes, all served with a side of Southern hospitality.
Bill’s Place – Harlem
Bill’s Place in Harlem is the juxtaposition in a city that rarely sleeps or slows down. Located in the heart of Harlem, Bill’s Place operates in a former Prohibition-era club. It delivers live Jazz with the Harlem All-Stars on Fridays and Saturdays in a cozy setting. There’s usually no more than about 30 people inside.
Founded and led by saxophonist Bill Saxton, Bill’s Place is one of the most authentic Jazz experiences you can find in the country. Talk about bragging rights for securing tickets to a place where Jazz legend Billie Holiday once sang herself.
Birds – New York City
Located in the West Village is the music-driven bar Birds. Brother-sister duo Naama and Assaf Tamir, and acclaimed bartender Steve Schneider, created a space with near-recording-studio precision. Decked out with indigo felt-lined walls and layered acoustic panels, the intentional layout reduces ambient noise, creating an unparalleled live-music experience.
According to a spokesperson, Birds is Manhattan’s first acoustic-first listening bar. Naama and Assaf were inspired by the velvety jazz clubs of 1960s French and Italian cinema, where jazz, funk, and soul come alive five nights a week.
St. James Live! – Atlanta
For a night where unforgettable moments and meaningful experiences come together, head over to St. James Live! Live music is the main course, but you can also enjoy delicious cuisine and an electrifying atmosphere on the side.
Husband-and-wife duo Ron and Evelen St. James, along with their daughter, Tiffany, run the venue. The trio introduced the world to St. James Live on May 27, 2015, coinciding with the Atlanta Jazz Festival, one of the country’s largest annual jazz festivals. Their genuine love of live music inspired what has become home to over 400 shows a year.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge – Detroit
Running since 1934, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge is the world’s oldest continuously open jazz club. It is the epitome of “old-school” Detroit soul and carries an incredible sense of history.
Baker’s has featured some of the best-known jazz musicians, including Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong. This venue is a cornerstone of Detroit and the jazz community.
Con Alma – Pittsburgh
Inspired by the rich heritage of jazz in Pittsburgh, Con Alma, which means “with soul,” seeks to return jazz to its rightful place at the forefront of the local music scene. Con Alma restaurant and jazz bar began on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside in 2019, and then grew to include its current location on Penn Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District in 2021.
The venue showcases current Pittsburgh musicians curated with occasional touring artists curated by co-owner and music curator John Shannon. You can also enjoy live jazz here seven nights a week.
