I’ll drink to that!

by Molly Nance

Ready to celebrate a birthday? There’s a bar for that. How about commiserating over a demanding workday? There’s a bar for that. Want to cheer on your favorite team with fellow fans? Or enjoy a quiet conversation with your sweetie in a dimly lit lounge? Or celebrate your best friend’s new job with an exotic cocktail? There are bars for those, too! Lincoln is home to many excellent drinking establishments for any occasion.

It’s impossible to list every bar in Lincoln without turning this article into a three-inch-thick directory. But, with meticulous consumer research — collected from conversations with friends and social media responses — here are a few of the top recommendations for your next night out on the town:

Live music 

A list of top music bars in Lincoln has to start with The Zoo Bar, renowned for the famous blues musicians who’ve played its small stage since it opened in 1973. As the decades have rolled by, the performances have expanded to include local jam sessions, rock bands, bluegrass, funk, karaoke, jazz, rockabilly, R&B, rap, soul and comedy. Lincolnites grab their dancing shoes for these bars:

Craft breweries

Lincoln is home to several award-winning craft breweries (see page 63). The beer is made in small batches and various styles, from sour Lambics to mellow Belgians to extra dry hopped IPAs. Most craft breweries have a rotating menu of beers, so you’ll find something new to try on each visit:

Cocktail lounges

For those wanting an intimate atmosphere
where expert bartenders handcraft creative mixed
drinks and mocktails, slide into any of these
recommended lounges:

Sports bars

We love our sports teams — not just our amazing Huskers (and not just football), but many other sports teams, from high school to the pros! Lincoln serves up plenty of popular sports bars where you can catch all the action from big-screen TVs on every wall. A few fan favorites include:

Games/Activities

Sometimes, you want more than a drink — you want an activity for a fun night out with friends, like playing darts, pool, shuffleboard or board games. These spots gained high praise for their fun factor:

Arnold’s Tavern

Beercade Jr.

Craft Axe Throwing

Hubby’s Timeout Bar

N-Zone

O’Rourke’s

Parkway Lanes and
Hollywood Bowl
(48 Bowl)

Round 1 Bowling
and Arcade

Tomahawks Axe
Throwing

VS Arcade Bar

These recommendations are just a few of Lincoln’s fantastic places to enjoy a drink and spend time with friends. Explore the city and create your own top list of places to go!