barsforKings
A good airport bar turns dead time into the start of the trip: a proper pour, a seat with a runway view, somewhere to wait out a delay in comfort. We tracked down the terminals where the drinking is actually worth it.
Our editors cover airport and city bar scenes across 168 cities. See all cities or browse by category.
By city
FAQ
Look for a real bar program over a generic franchise: local beer on tap, a short cocktail list done well, and a seat with a view of the gates. Our city guides flag the terminals worth arriving early for.
Most open with the first departures, often from 5-6am, because somewhere in the terminal it is always happy hour. Hours vary by airport and terminal, so check before a tight connection.
We track airport and city bar scenes across 168 cities. Browse the by-city index below to plan your next layover.