When it comes to hostel culture in the United States don’t expect to find the same atmosphere that you may experience in other places, say like European Backpackers Bars, or even Canadian Backpackers Bars.

The social aspect tends to be a little more reserved and the rules can be a little stricter, since believe it or not many US hostels are dry hostels! I know, crazy right? Even though the US hostel scene may be lacking the friendly open traveler culture right now, according to this recent article in the Wall Street Journal things are about to change.

That being said, there still are plenty of party hostels in the US, that is if you know where to look for them. To help you with your search we’ve put together a list of five of our favorites for the Best Backpackers Bars In The United States:

San Francisco International Hostel
140 Mason Street, San Francisco, California

It’s cheap. It’s a bit run down, but hey, it is a hostel after all. When staying in a cheap hostel there are some things you have to get used to, but as a seasoned traveller you probably already know what I am talking about. We’ll leave the reviews for the accommodations for other websites. What makes the San Francisco International Hostel a great party hostel is, wait for it… free beer! That’s right, every single night of the week they open up the bar to their guests. Add some free beer, mix in an in house club with a sprinkle of travellers and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a party.

Bikini Hostel
1247 West Avenue, Miami Beach, Miami, Florida

The Bikini Hostel in Miami Beach is billed as a boutique hostel. With a party atmosphere that includes everything from free BBQ’s and pizza nights, to poolside and Jacuzzi parties, it is no wonder that this is one of the best party hostels in all of Miami. It’s close to the beach and everything South Beach has to offer, so when the onsite party is just not enough, which rarely happens, staff will always have an outing planned to keep the party going well into the wee hours of the morning.

AWA Seattle Hostel
4000 University Way Northeast, Seattle, Washington

If you are looking for a party hostel in Washington than look no further than the AWA Seattle Hostel on University Way. As the location implies, this party hostel is located in the University District, and if that doesn’t make it a party atmosphere enough their Top Quality bar located right on site will.

Backpackers Hostel & Pub
13 School Street, Boston, Massachusetts

If you are looking for a more refined party hostel, one that isn’t over-crowed or too loud, well then Boston’s Backpackers Hostel & Pub is the place for you. Located in a quite area of Boston, there are many great, not to mention cheap, places to find a bite to eat or a pint to drink. But hey, it’s a Hostel AND Pub, so if you are looking for the laid back party, good news, you don’t even have to leave the building.

Equity Point New York @ Times Square
206 West 41st Street, New York, New York, USA

Located right in the heart of Manhattan, at Times Square, is New York’s best party hostel, Equity Point New York @ Times Square. Not only are they located smack right in the middle of everything that is New York City, but this hostel also has a great onsite bar called Bar Catalonia. And best of all, Bar Catalonia is also open to the public, which is always a good sign of a great place to party.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.

No matter where you are in the world, a drink at the local backpacker bar is bound to be a great time. Not only are drinks usually quite cheap, but there is also a good chance that the bars will actually be full almost every night of the week. What’s more, they are typically filled with open-minded travellers that are just looking to have a good time and experience what the local culture has to offer, i.e., it’s a great place to meet foreign girls (or boys).

A few months ago we looked at the best backpacker bars in Canada. Today we have decided to head east, southeast to be precise, and will cover one of the most popular backpacker areas of the globe, Southeast Asia.

So without further adieu, here are the best Backpacker Bars across Southeast Asia:

Brunei

Although both located in Southeast Asia, and a top backpacker destination, our first entry for best backpacker bar locations is sadly lacking in one major feature – alcohol. Even though the sale and public consumption of alcohol is banned in Brunei, non-Muslims are allowed to bring a limited amount of booze for their own personal consumption. So even though your only chance of getting a drink at a bar is to make friends with an ex-pat that coincidentally enough has a fully stocked bar in their home, we decided to include Brunei nonetheless. With its giant palaces, lush rainforests, sandy beaches and water villages, Brunei is a pretty awesome place to visit when embarking on a backpacking tour through the region.

Cambodia

Located on Street 278 in bustling Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the Top Banana Guesthouse is legend in its own right. Not only is this hostel a ‘Top Choice’ by Lonely Planet, but its amazing ‘sky bar’ is also a top choice when backpackers are looking for a fun and inviting place to grab a cheap and tasty drink in the heart of Cambodia.

East Timor

East Timor’s one and only hostel, The East Timor Backpackers, is located in downtown Dili. It’s more than just a cheap place to crash for the night, it’s also the home of the iconic Smokehouse bar-café. So whether you’re a backpacker just passing through, an ex-pat looking to reconnect with your countrymen (or women), or just a local looking to mingle with some foreigners, the Smokehouse is place to be any night of the week. The bar is located out back in the courtyard, and as the name may imply, it is definitely smoker friendly.

Indonesia

If you are looking for a great hostel bar in Indonesia, than look no further than Bali’s Island Hotel. Not only is this hostel located in a prime location, right near Legian Beach and just a 5-minute walk away from Double 6 Beach, but there are also plenty of great clubs and bars in the area. But of course being a list of the best backpacker bars in Southeast Asia, what makes this hostel really special is the rooftop bbq and bar.

Laos

Located near the Mekong River in Vientiane, Laos, is the Sihome Backpackers Hostel. I can go on and on how friendly the staff are and how amazing the hostel is, but we all know what you are really here for, the hostel bar. Located on the front patio the bar doesn’t only serve up your favourite drinks, but they also have a free vodka happy hour. That’s right, free vodka every night after 9pm!

Malaysia

Billed as a backpacker and a party music hostel, the Reggae Mansion Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is by far the coolest hostel in the entire area. Situated in a colonial building near Chinatown, the amazing rooftop bar provides spectacular sights of the city. Furthermore, the drink prices are actually affordable.

Philippines

Located on the small island of Boracay, Philippines, and just a short walk from the renowned White Beach, is the Frendz Resort. This unique hostel is comprised of a collection of bungalows that ring a lush tropical garden, which contains probably the best hostel bar in all of the Philippines. With great food at even better prices, as well as a daily happy hour specials, theme nights, and live music nights, Frendz Resort easily made it into our list of the best backpacker bars in Southeast Asia.

Thailand

If you are looking to party in Thailand, especially for one of the world famous Full Moon parties in Koh Phangan, then the Party Hostel is the place to be. Not only will the hostel provide you with a free breakfast and a free vodka bucket every day, but they also have the Outback Bar, which can keep you in a steady supply for all your Full Moon party bucket needs.

Vietnam

It can be hard to find a party hostel in Vietnam, or even a traditional hostel for that matter, but your best bet is the Hanoi Backpacker’s Hostel in Hanoi, Vietnam. From free beer and BBQ Sunday’s to a happy hour that starts every day on the rooftop bar after 5pm, this hostel has by far the best backpacker bar in Vietnam.

Let us know your thoughts, and if there are any hostel bars we may have missed, in the comments below.

About the Author
Corey Rozon is a freelance writer from Ottawa, Canada.