Paul Kushner
Nestled along the mighty Missouri River, Omaha, Nebraska, may not be the first city that comes to mind for a vibrant nightlife, but it’s an unexpected treasure trove of unique and spirited bars. The city’s ever-evolving bar scene offers something for everyone, from cozy speakeasies and lively beer gardens to upscale cocktail lounges and classic dive bars. Omaha’s bars are where the community comes alive, creating a dynamic tapestry of experiences that reflect the city’s diverse culture. In this guide, we’ll embark on a journey through the neighborhoods of Omaha to uncover the hidden gems and well-known hotspots that define the city’s bar culture. Join us as we explore the Best Bars in Omaha, and raise a glass to the heartland’s charming metropolis.
Brickway Brewery & Distillery
1116 Jackson St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 933-2613
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Brickway Brewery & Distillery has been an Old Market favorite for craft beers and spirits since 2013. Their multiroom space has a brewery, a distillery, a restaurant, and a patio. Their whiskey barrel room is a popular space for private parties. Brickway distills vodka, gin, whiskey, and moonshine. They have six year-round beers on tap plus another 10 seasonally rotating beers. They’re a great destination for a casual pint and a snack with friends after work.
Laka Lono Rum Club
1204 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 786-8640
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Located in the heart of Old Market, Laka Lono Rum Club is a tropical oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Laka Lono Rum Club is a modern tiki bar, decked out with Samoan carvings, straw hut roofing, and paper lanterns. The best part about Laka Lono is the mixology theatrics and the resulting tropical cocktails. Their Mai Tai transported me to white sandy beaches.
Wicked Rabbit
1508 Harney St, Omaha, NE 68102
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Wicked Rabbit is a sexy speakeasy-type cocktail bar hidden inside Market District’s fashionable Hotel Deco. The design features plush purple velvet walls, old-school leather booths, and a dimly lit ambiance for a mysterious vibe. The expert mixologists use scratch-made mixers and fresh ingredients to create high-end cocktails modeled off the classics. I savored a perfectly mixed Mint Julep.
Alice
17070 Wright Plaza Suite 10, Omaha, NE 68130
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Alice is a whimsical, vintage-chic cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe, serving refined cocktails with creative themes along with charcuterie boards. Located in the Legacy District of Western Omaha, Alice has velvet furniture, vintage tiffany lamps, and carved ceilings. They have an extensive list of spirits and classic cocktails to accompany a menu of charcuterie. I recommend the Paloma, a tasty tequila and grapefruit drink.
Proof
120 S 31st Ave #5105, Omaha, NE 68131
(402) 933-5969
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Another speakeasy-style bar, Proof is an authentic Prohibition-era cocktail bar in Midtown Crossing designed to transport patrons back to the 20s. Proof is a classy bar with a full kitchen serving small plates. Proof features over 300 whiskeys along with a long list of draft beer, wine, spirits, and classic cocktails. I like to go for whiskey tastings, with each spirit served in a 1 oz shot.
The Berry & Rye
1105 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 613-1331
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Omaha’s oldest cocktail bar, The Berry & Rye is an opulent cocktail bar with a stunning design that combines urban with vintage. Located in the Market District in a dimly lit space with crystal chandeliers, exposed brick walls, and brightly colored velvet booths, The Berry & Rye is a great place to enjoy high-end spirits and a rotating cocktail list. I chose the most exclusive vodka for my martini.
Mercury
329 S 16th St #3, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 999-7448
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Another Old Market favorite, Mercury is a lively cocktail bar and restaurant with vibrant mid-century modern décor. They serve craft cocktails in their lounge and a full menu of New American twists on classic pub fare in the dining room. I stopped in for a plate of deviled eggs and a delicious Giraffes Can’t Dance cocktail with mezcal, cherry, pineapple, honey, lime, and cinnamon.
Mr. Toad
1002 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 345-4488
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Mr. Toad is an Old Market institution, founded by Arty Abariotes and Rusty Harmson in 1970. Mr. Toad is a brewpub with an old-school all-wood interior and a large outdoor, streetside patio. They have live jazz music a few times a week. Mr. Toad has a large selection of domestic, international, and independently brewed beers on tap, cans, and bottles.
Tiny House Bar
1411 S 13th St, Omaha, NE 68105
(402) 715-5115
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Located in an old blue clapboard house in Dahlman, Tiny House Bar is a cute and quirky cocktail bar and entertainment venue. Each room has different décor, and there’s different entertainment each night, from stand-up to scary movie night. The cocktail menu rotates seasonally, and they have a selection of beer, wine, and snacks. I warmed my bones with a spiced rum and cold brew cocktail.
Havana Garage
1008 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 614-3800
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Havana Garage is a hip and cozy cigar bar and cocktail bar in Omaha’s Old Market, with live music to serenade a smoke and a tropically inspired beverage. Havana Garage has one of the most extensive Humidors in the state, with a knowledgeable staff to guide you to the perfect cigar. I opted for a rum cocktail to pair with a Cuban cigar.
Inkwell
8716 Pacific St, Omaha, NE 68114
(531) 200-5175
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Located in Central Omaha, Inkwell is a fashionable cocktail bar and pub with a welcoming and fun vibe, perfect for social hours with friends. The dark, vintage wall-papered walls receive a bright burst of color from modernist paintings that line them. Their creative craft cocktails are the height of Haute mixology. I tried the Bolivar with rum, Cointreau, prosecco, and bitters.
Why should you trust us?
We use our own local experience and contacts in the city to know which places to include in our lists. We also researched the web and read 4 reputable blogs and websites, including tripadvisor.com, gastronomblog.com, visitomaha.com, and npdodge.com. So that you can be sure you’re receiving the best of the best. We compiled all the results in one spot and ranked them according to how frequently they were referenced.
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