GateGuru's Best Airport Bars

Check out GateGuru's top airport bars.
Take the edge off a long layover and find the best place to raise your spirits in the airport.

GateGuru shared their comprehensive list of airport bar rankings, based on approximately 35,000 reviews from travelers.

From the best spot to grab a beer to a top-notch wine bar, here are GateGuru’s top domestic airport bars.

(And check out GateGuru's Best Airport Restaurants, too.)
Airport Overview: With plenty of bars to choose from, travelers can certainly keep themselves busy here.


Vino Volo Wine Room -- McNamara Terminal, Gate A45
Overview: Absolute heaven in the midst of chaos. Extensive menu, top-notch wine and a relaxing atmosphere make this bar a must stop.

What the flyers are saying: “Nice selection of wines, upscale atmosphere, educated staff with great wine knowledge.”

Best tip: They sell bottles to go.

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Grey Goose Martini Lounge -- McNamara Terminal, Gate C19
Overview: Name basically says it all, be prepared to pay a pretty penny.

What the flyers are saying: Good drinks, OK food, quiet, and service is quick.

Best tip: “No alcohol at 10 a.m. on a Sunday.”
Airport Overview: With easy navigation between all the concourses, it is easy for a traveler through SEA to bar hop.


Alaska Lodge -- Concourse C, Entrance
Overview: Menu on the smaller side but that’s OK when two of the choices are chowder and wings.

What the flyers are saying: $30 for a day pass, but that comes with 3 free beers!

Best tip: Go for the beer.

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Seattle Tap Room -- Concourse B, Entrance
Overview: A genuine drinker’s paradise away from the hustle and bustle of the food court. Lots of beer in larger glasses. Local beer on tap, but no stouts.

What the flyers are saying: “Good beer, limited menu, but good food. Reasonable prices.”

Best tip: “A nice and relaxing place for preflight drinks or dinner.”
Airport Overview: Some long walks if you are going from one end of the concourse to another, but that’s OK -- makes you feel less guilty about the layover indulgences.


Chef Jimmy’s Bistro -- Concourse A, Concourse Center
Overview: “So legit, only place open that serves alcohol after 9:30 p.m. in the entire airport.” So if you are in DEN during the late night, choose Jimmy’s for the drinks and atmosphere.

What the flyers are saying:
“Beer. Wine. Spicy Bloody Mary. They got it all.”

Best tip: “Last call is at 11:30 p.m.”

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New Belgium Hub -- Concourse B, B80 (Upper Level)
Overview: “Nothing better than a local microbrew and sweet potato fries to put you in a good mood before your flight.”

What the flyers are saying: Friendly staff and good pub food.

Best tip: “Fat Tire on tap!”
Airport Overview: Home of Sam Adams, home of Boston Beer Works, home of Harpoon Tap Room. Need we say more?


Boston Beer Works -- Terminal C, Gate C27 or Gate C14; Terminal E, Gate E1
Overview: Place speaks for itself, a local favorite that does not disappoint in the airport.

What the flyers are saying: “Good beer, good food. Made the wait a little less of a hassle.”

Best tip: Try the “Blueberry.”

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Harpoon Tap Room -- Terminal A, Gate A20
Overview: Menu is a short list of pub fair and a great chance to get a taste of the beer if you didn’t have time for the tour in town.

What the flyers are saying: Biggest problem with this place: which beer to enjoy first.

Best tip: Try the Raspberry Hefeweizen.
Airport Overview: Small, clean, easy-to-navigate airport with plenty of places to eat. They even have attendants in the bathroom, but they aren’t there to just listen to you complain about the delay.


Brookwood Farms BBQ -- Terminal 2, Gate C10
Overview: If you are looking for your Carolina BBQ fix, here’s the place to eat -- it’s a great example of local eats.

What the flyers are saying: “Turkey platter very good, BBQ sauce nice and tangy. Side dishes almost taste homemade.”

Best tip: Have to try the fried pickles!

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Tequileria -- Main Terminal, Atrium near Concourse C
Overview: If you like Mexican, this is THE place to eat. Follow those nachos and tacos with either a great margarita or Dos Equis Amber on tap.

What the flyers are saying: “Fun, low-key atmosphere.”

Best tip: “Good bar. Watch out for the patrons who have had one too many shots.”
Airport Overview: “Easy to waste 3 hours here.” Nice airport with a wonderful variety of restaurants and the “mixed drinks are awesome, especially the margaritas. They make their drinks strong.”


Blue Mesa Taco & Tequila Bar -- Terminal D, Gate D31
Overview: Great food and great drinks. Must try the margaritas.

What the flyers are saying: This is a fun place to have awesome Mexican food, listen to good music, and enjoy some people watching.

Best tip: “They put the most alcohol in their drinks. Better bang for the buck!”

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Cantina Laredo -- Terminal D, Gate D27
Overview: Although a little bit expensive (what isn’t in the airport?), this place is worth the trip upstairs because of the full-blown Tex-Mex menu and drinks.

What the flyers are saying:
Great flavor, ample portions, big menu -- can’t go wrong at this place.

Best tip: “The best guacamole!”
Airport Overview: With fog delays happening more than a traveler would like, it’s a good thing SFO has plenty of bars to pass the time.


Anchor Brewing Company -- Terminal 3, Gate 70
Overview: Simply put, the beer here is outstanding. Lots of local brews on tap that pair well with any food you get, even just a salad!

What the flyers are saying: Staff here is friendly and they know how to take care of the patrons.

Best tip: “Don’t understand why any jokers would drink Bud Light here.”

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Mission Bar and Grill
-- Terminal 3, Gate 62
Overview: Yummy food, friendly service, and a family-run business that’ll make you feel like you are at your neighborhood diner.

What the flyers are saying: “I have an anniversary coming up and will definitely fly into SFO just to take the wife here.”

Best tip: Little cups full of nuts and candies for sale.
Airport Overview: With no free Wi-Fi, you’ll have to find another way to stay busy. How about throwing a few back and chatting it up with the bartender?


The Greene Turtle -- Terminal D, Gate D8
Overview: Best bar at BWI. The beer is what will bring you here, but it’s the bartenders who’ll keep you coming back.

What the flyers are saying: Hilarious bartenders will help you pass the time, and they always have a game on.

Best tip: Food comes out super quick, so even if you only have half an hour it’s worth the stop.

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DuClaw Brewing Company -- Main Terminal, near Terminal B (pre-security)
Overview: Great, real Baltimore food (try the crab cakes). A bit pricey but that’s what you expect at the airport.

What the flyers are saying: Everything here is good, and the beer can’t be beat.

Best tip: Order the beer sampler! It will absolutely get you started for your trip.
Airport Overview: If you still have some money left over, let the party continue in this wild airport, where you’ll not only find traditional bars, but also an oxygen bar.


Budweiser Racing Track Bar -- Main Terminal, Esplanade (pre-security)
Overview: Your typical bar and a great spot to watch games.

What the flyers are saying: Flyer 1: “Hate the fact that there’s a place to smoke in the airport!” Flyer 2: “Love the fact that there’s a place to smoke in the airport.”

Best tip: “Bartender suggested a double. I took it. Great call.”

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Sammy Hagar Beach Bar
-- Terminal 1, C23
Overview: Good staff and beer and a must stop if you’re a VH/Hagar fan as their tunes are playing full blast.

What the flyers are saying:
“I only come here for the Waborita, and it’s fantastic!”

Best tip: Check out the beachy cocktail menu.
Airport Overview: One user reports the water in the fountain tasting funny, all the more reason to grab a cold one from the bar.


12th Fairway Bar & Grill -- Terminal 4, D Gates
Overview: Good food and TVs galore to sit down and enjoy the games.

What the flyers are saying: Good wings and they have Four Peaks Brewing’s “Kilt Lifter” on tap.

Best tip: Ask for the add shot extra. A little known airport trick. Get your basic beer and add a shot for virtually nothing.

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Taberna Del Tequila -- Terminal 3, Gate A23
Overview: With the word tequila in the name, you know what to order when you take a seat at this bar.

What the flyers are saying: Good place to get food, drinks, and maybe even some work done.

Best tip: Get the Ultimate Margarita or Bloody Maria.

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