Best Bars to Try in 2026: Dallas's Clifton Club & More

For just $20, Dallas's Clifton Club Bar & Lounge offers a 'Happy Meal' during happy hour that includes a smash burger, fries, a cocktail, and a cigarette. This unconventional offering, blending dive bar charm with a cheeky nod to fast-food culture, challenges expectations for what a nationally recognized establishment might feature, especially among the best craft cocktail bars to try in 2026.

National 'best of' lists are designed to identify broad excellence, but the 2026 USA TODAY list features highly specific and sometimes unconventional local establishments. This creates a tension between traditional metrics of quality and a new emphasis on unique local character.

The trend suggests that future 'best bar' accolades will increasingly reward originality and a strong sense of place over a standardized definition of 'craft,' pushing the industry towards more diverse and experiential offerings. This shift prioritizes authenticity over established prestige, moving away from conventional notions of upscale mixology.

The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2026 list features 38 bars, a significant increase from the 29 bars recognized in 2025, according to reports from Detroit Free Press, Bergen Record, and The Poughkeepsie Journal. The expansion from 29 of the best bars in America for 2025, as stated by USA TODAY, indicates a broader, more inclusive approach to defining the nation's top drinking establishments. The significant increase suggests a shift from a more curated, exclusive list to one with wider appeal, potentially diluting the 'best' moniker for broader engagement.

1. Goodnight Kenny

Best for: Enthusiasts seeking creative twists on classic cocktails.

Bar Name	Location	Type of Establishment	Key Feature	USA TODAY Year Recognized
Goodnight Kenny	Poughkeepsie, NY	Craft Cocktail Bar	Known for 'Kenny's Classics'	2026
Land-Grant Brewing Co.	Columbus, OH	Brewery with Cocktails	Craft beers and diverse drink menu	2026
Father Forgive Me	Detroit, MI	Wine and Cocktail Bar	Only Michigan location on 2026 list	2026
Cloverleaf Tavern	Caldwell, NJ	Historic Bar & Restaurant	Nearly century-old establishment	2026

While USA TODAY champions local character, other national awards maintain a focus on established excellence. Cobra, for example, is among the finalists for the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation's 2026 Best U.S. Restaurant and Bar award, according to The Columbus Dispatch. This prestigious recognition often highlights sophisticated beverage programs and overall industry leadership. In contrast, the Clifton Club Bar & Lounge continues to offer its 'Happy Meal' deal during happy hour (4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday), which includes a smash burger, fries, a cocktail, and a cigarette for $20, as reported by the Dallas Observer. The industry's top accolades and innovative local spots reveal that excellence can be found in diverse forms, from prestigious awards to uniquely themed experiences. USA TODAY's 2026 'Bars of the Year' list, exemplified by the Clifton Club's 'Happy Meal' featuring a cigarette, signals a deliberate pivot from traditional mixology excellence towards celebrating establishments that offer distinct, often quirky, local experiences, challenging the very definition of a 'best bar' for a mainstream audience.