Fun Restaurant Options for Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties

"The list spotlights the restaurants that have all the ingredients for the perfect big night out – upbeat energy, innovative cocktails, robust wine lists, and, of course, outstanding food," says Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer at OpenTable. "Whether your ideal night out is at a bustling bar or a hot spot to see and be seen, you can count on these restaurants for a night of fun.

We broke down OpenTable's 100 Best Restaurants in America for a Big Night Out into the main regions of the United States – plus some restaurants with multiple locations that may be near you! Take a look to see if your favorite hot spots made the list, and read on to discover Caroline's tips for a successful night out. 

The Northeast

Balthazar - New York, New York
Carmine's - 44th Street - New York, New York
Cecconi's Dumbo - Brooklyn, New York
Gallaghers Steakhouse - Manhattan - New York, New York
Ivan Ramen - New York, New York
Nobu Fifty Seven - New York, New York
The Smith - Lincoln Square - New York, New York
Tavern on the Green - New York, New York
Vandal - New York, New York

Double Knot - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
El Vez - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Love - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Parc - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sampan - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Suraya - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Talula’s Garden - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Zahav - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Farmers & Distillers - Washington, DC
Farmers Fishers Bakers - Washington, DC
Filomena Ristorante - Washington, DC
Le Diplomate - Washington, DC
Oyamel - Washington, DC
Zaytinya - Washington, DC

The Midwest

Aba - Chicago, Illinois
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba - Chicago, Illinois
Duck Duck Goat - Chicago, Illinois
The Gage - Chicago, Illinois
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - Chicago, Illinois
Girl & the Goat - Chicago, Illinois
Little Goat - Chicago, Illinois
Maple & Ash - Chicago, Illinois
Quartino - Chicago, Illinois
RPM Steak - Chicago, Illinois
Sunda - Chicago, Illinois

St. Elmo Steak House - Indianapolis, Indiana

The Apparatus Room - Detroit, Michigan

The South

Louie Bossi Ristorante - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Boathouse - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Raglan Road Irish Pub - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Oxford Exchange - Tampa, Florida
Ulele - Tampa, Florida

Henry's Louisiana Grill - Acworth, Georgia
The Optimist - Atlanta, Georgia
Poor Calvin's - Atlanta, Georgia
TWO urban licks - Atlanta, Georgia
The Olde Pink House Restaurant - Savannah, Georgia

GW Fins - New Orleans, Louisiana
Meril - New Orleans, Louisiana

Brewery Bhavana - Raleigh, North Carolina

Husk - Charleston, South Carolina

Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar - Memphis, Tennessee
House of Cards - Nashville, Tennessee

Al Biernat's - Oak Lawn - Dallas, Texas
Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck - Dallas, Texas
Mastro's Steakhouse - Houston, Texas
Haywire - Plano, Texas

The West

Mariposa - Sedona, Arizona

Bavel - Los Angeles, California
Bestia - Los Angeles, California
Perch LA - Los Angeles, California
Republique - Los Angeles, California
The Tropicale - Palm Springs, California
Born & Raised - San Diego, California
Coasterra - San Diego, California
Herb & Wood - San Diego, California
Juniper & Ivy - San Diego, California
China Live - San Francisco, California
House of Prime Rib - San Francisco, California
International Smoke - San Francisco, California
Slanted Door - San Francisco, California
The Ivy - West Hollywood, California
Mustards Grill - Yountville, California

El Five - Denver, Colorado
Linger - Denver, Colorado

Fleetwood's On Front St. - Lahaina, Hawaii
Mama's Fish House - Paia, Hawaii

Eiffel Tower - Las Vegas, Nevada
Giada - The Cromwell - Las Vegas, Nevada
Hell's Kitchen - Caesars Palace - Las Vegas, Nevada
Mesa Grill - Caesars Palace - Las Vegas, Nevada
Momofuku - Las Vegas, Nevada
Mon Ami Gabi - Las Vegas, Nevada
STK - The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
Texas de Brazil - Las Vegas, Nevada

Departure Restaurant and Lounge - Portland, Oregon

The Pink Door - Seattle, Washington

Multiple Locations

Avra - Multiple Locations (Beverly Hills, CA & New York, NY)         
Beauty & Essex - Multiple Locations (Las Vegas, NV & New York, NY)
Buddakan  - Multiple Locations (New York, NY & Philadelphia, PA)
Catch - Multiple Locations (West Hollywood, CA & New York, NY)
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Multiple Locations (Naples, FL & Columbus, OH)
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse - Multiple Locations (New York, NY & Philadelphia, PA)
Founding Farmers - Multiple Locations (Washington, DC & Tysons Corner, VA)
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Multiple Locations (Chicago, IL & Las Vegas, NV)
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Multiple Locations (Kihei, HI & Lahaina, HI)
RPM Italian - Multiple Locations (Washington, DC & Chicago, IL)
Steak 44 and Steak 48 - Multiple Locations (Phoenix, AZ & Chicago, IL)
Tao - Multiple Locations (Los Angeles, CA; Las Vegas, NV & New York, NY)
Uchi - Multiple Locations (Austin, TX & Dallas, TX)   
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar - Multiple Locations (Miami Beach, FL & Las Vegas, NV)

Tips for Planning the Perfect Big Night Out:

1. Look and Book Early
Because these spots are go-to destinations for both locals and travelers alike, prime-time reservations book up early. So if you have a specific spot in mind, make sure to plan ahead of time. Even if you can’t get to one of the 100 winning restaurants, you can find a hot spot wherever you are by filtering your results with the hot spot tag.

2. Think Big Picture
Take into account the rest of your night. If you’re planning on seeing a show after dinner, make sure you leave enough time for everyone to enjoy their meal without rushing, while not too early where you have too much time in between. Similarly, if you’re planning a late night at the club, you might not want to start at 6PM, and risk tapping out before midnight.

3. Find the Right Vibe
For those celebrating a bachelorette or bachelor party, remember the night is about the bride or groom. Make sure to make it personal to them, and ask questions to help clarify the vibe. Before booking, you can read verified diner reviews on OpenTable to get a better sense of the atmosphere, so you can find the best spot for your crew.

4. Dollars & Cents
Make sure to set a budget that the entire group is comfortable with, and keep that in mind while choosing a restaurant. You can view menus and pricing for most restaurants on OpenTable. Also, let your party know ahead of time if a restaurant is willing to split checks or if the restaurant only accepts cash, so they can make arrangements ahead of time. Lastly, be sure to account for alcohol, tax, and gratuity.

5. Don't Forget Dietary Needs
If your party has any food allergies, sensitivities, or are following a specific meal plan such as paleo or vegan, carefully study menus to make sure everyone can find something that works for them. If you’re in doubt as to whether a restaurant can accommodate your group’s needs, call the restaurant before booking and ask to speak to a manager or chef.

6. Make a Note
If it’s a special celebration, you might want to let the restaurant know when you book – especially if you are planning on bringing your own cake or decorations, or if you would like them to bring out a dessert to make the night extra special.

For more ideas, discover how to have a couples' bachelor/bachelorette party, learn the etiquette rules of planning a bachelorette party, and view more planning inspiration here.