Everybody's talking about the best this and the best that lately. AOL CityGuide gave us their list of City's Best restaurants and bars around the country (in several different categories). Now Esquire's getting in on the game with a really long list of the places they call The Best Bars in America.Esquire offers a few bars per state each assigned a rating (as prescribed by those visiting the site). On the other hand, City's Best divides their nominees into about forty specific cities, each of which divides into several different categories. Within each category, visitors can vote for their favorite, whether it be Best Beer or Best Dance Club or Best Live Music. Aside from those differences, the two lists do seem to agree on a few nominees.
Both campaigns nominate Zeitgeist in San Francisco; City's Best has the bar in the running both for Best Beer and Best Dive Bar. And Red Lion Tavern in LA is also recognized in both lists, having been nominated for LA's Best Beer by City's Best.
Denver's El Chapultepec pops up on City's Best Live Music and has a rating of 73 on Esquire's list. Another popular spot with both crowds is Churchill Pub in Miami which is pulling in a respectable 77 over at Esquire. Boston's Eastern Standard, nominated for City's Best Cocktails, also pulls a strong 73 in Esquire. And the highest rated of Esquire's New York bars, Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, is in a tight race for City's Best Beer with Jimmy's (also on the Esquire list with a very nice 73).
Nearly all the Chicago bars listed in Esquire have been nominated for something in Chicago's City's Best: Matchbox, Duke of Perth and California Clipper for Best Cocktails, Hopleaf Bar for Best Beer, Hideout for Dive Bar & Live Music, Green Mill for Best Jazz Club, and Bungalow for Best Date Spot.
With any luck, you'll find your favorite on one of these lists and be able to vote them as winner of either race.
