There are plenty of fine, respectable places to soak up the nightlife around these parts. But Readers’ Choice wants to help you find the best one for every occasion because you are worth it.

Nominations and final voting: Based entirely on community participation, Omaha businesses are nominated as the best in their category for about eight weeks at TheReader.com beginning in January and running through the end of February. Tens of thousands of nominations inform the top nominees in each category who will appear on the final ballot. Final voting runs March 5 through April 30. Stringent procedures help insure one-person, one-vote and minimize vote-buying. An independent accounting firm Hancock & Dana, one of Omaha’s oldest, counts final votes to tabulate the awards.

Winners: This list represents what Omaha locals and Reader readers love — businesses that are the best at what they do. With deep thanks to everyone in the community who participated, we congratulate these amazing awardees!

Best Bar for an Internet Date

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tiny House Bar

Readers’ Choice: Beercade, Edge of the Universe, The Homy Inn

Readers’ Recommend: Nite Owl, WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers

Readers’ Refer: Stocks n Bonds, Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen, The Down Under Lounge

Best Bar for Beer Selection

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Crescent Moon

Readers’ Choice: Krug Park, 72 Table & Tap, Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen, Blatt Beer & Table

Readers’ Refer: Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews, The Down Under Lounge

Best Bar for Billiards

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Big John’s Billiards

Readers’ Choice: Perry’s Place, Stocks n Bonds

Best Bar for Cheap Drinks

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Winchester Bar & Grill

Readers’ Choice: Brothers Lounge, O’Leaver’s Pub, Alderman’s Bar

Readers’ Recommend: Sullivan’s Bar, KoZee Lounge, The Down Under Lounge

Readers’ Refer: Local Beer, Patio and Kitchen, Rose & Crown Pub, Century Lounge

Best Bar for Conversation

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Edge of the Universe

Readers’ Choice: The Homy Inn, Mr. Toad’s Pub

Readers’ Recommend: Corkscrew Wine & Cheese, The Down Under Lounge, Red Lion Lounge, The Berry & Rye

Readers’ Refer: The Village Bar Ralston, Dario’s Brasserie

Best Bar for Craft Cocktails

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Wicked Rabbit

Readers’ Choice: Tiny House Bar, Alice

Readers’ Recommend: Edge of the Universe, The Berry & Rye, WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers, Krug Park

Readers’ Refer: The Trap Room, Flixx, Red Lion Lounge

Best Bar for Darts:

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Winchester Bar & Grill

Readers’ Choice: Stocks n Bonds, Addy’s Sports Bar & Grill

Readers’ Recommend: The Down Under Lounge

Readers’ Refer: Century Lounge

Best Bar for Hiding Out

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Green Onion Lounge

Readers’ Choice: Edge of the Universe, Alderman’s Bar, Brothers Lounge

Readers’ Recommend: The Down Under Lounge, The Trap Room, Jerry’s Bar

Readers’ Refer: Kaitei, Babe’s

Best Bar for Spirits Selection

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: PROOF Whiskey Bar & Craft Cocktails

Readers’ Choice: Dundee Dell, Krug Park, Copacabana

Best Bar for Whiskey Selection

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Berry & Rye

Readers’ Choice: WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers

Readers’ Recommend: The Down Under Lounge, Century Lounge

Best Bar with Live Music

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Waiting Room Lounge

Readers’ Choice: Slowdown

Readers’ Recommend: The Down Under Lounge

Readers’ Refer: Brokedown Palace, The Omaha Lounge, Barnato Lounge

Best Bartenders Are At…

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: M’s Pub

Readers’ Choice: Edge of the Universe

Readers’ Recommend: Village Bar, WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers, Krug Park, Alice, The Down Under Lounge

Readers’ Refer: Journeys Bar and Grill, The Berry & Rye, Stocks n Bonds, Winchester Bar & Grill, The Tavern – Pub & Market

Best Casino

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Prairie Flower Casino

Readers’ Choice: Horseshoe Council Bluffs

Readers’ Recommend: Ameristar

Readers’ Refer: Harrah’s Council Bluffs

Best Cigar Bar

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jake’s Cigars & Spirits

Readers’ Choice: Havana Garage, Copacabana Cocktail Lounge

Readers’ Refer: Nickleby’s Smoke Ring

Best Cocktail Lounge

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lake Lono Rum Club

Readers’ Choice: WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers, Alice, Cedar

Readers’ Recommend: Lemon Drop Bar & Grill, Holiday Lounge

Readers’ Refer: Interlude Lounge

Best Concert Venue

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Stir Cove

Readers’ Choice: Slowdown, Holland Center

Readers’ Recommend: Sokol Auditorium

Best Dance Club

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Max

Readers’ Choice: Bushwackers Saloon & Dance Hall, Ozone Lounge

Readers’ Refer: Bar 415

Best DJ Service

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Jack Entertainment

Readers’ Choice: Bryan Hill Entertainment Inc., A Lasting Impression DJ, GMan Entertainment

Best Driving Range

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Topgolf

Readers’ Choice: Milt’s Golf Center, Stone Creek Golf Course

Readers’ Recommend: Schmidley’s Family Golf Range

Best Escape Room

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Escape Omaha

Readers’ Choice: Get Out: Omaha, House of Conundrum

Readers’ Recommend: Locked Room Omaha

Best Golf Course

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Field Club of Omaha

Readers’ Choice: Tiburon Golf Club, Quarry Oaks Golf Club

Readers’ Recommend: Bent Tree Golf Club

Best Happy Hour

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Readers’ Choice: DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar, WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers

Readers’ Recommend: Edge of the Universe, Alderman’s Bar, Hiro 88 Millard, The Tavern, The Trap Room, Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill

Readers’ Refer: The Village Bar Ralston, The Down Under Lounge

Best Karaoke Bar

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Winchester Bar & Grill

Readers’ Choice: Alderman’s Bar, Moe & Curly’s Pub

Readers’ Recommend: Renos Karaoke

Readers’ Refer: KoZee Lounge, Brownie’s Watering Hole

Best Movie Theater

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Marcus Majestic Cinema of Omaha

Readers’ Choice: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Aksarben Cinema, AMC Oakview Plaza 24, Film Streams’ Dundee Theater

Best Neighborhood Tavern

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Homy Inn

Readers’ Choice: Winchester Bar & Grill, Alderman’s Bar, The Village Bar Ralston, Krug Park

Readers’ Recommend: The Down Under Lounge

Readers’ Refer: KoZee Lounge, Perry’s Place, Village Bar

Best New Bar

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Edge of the Universe

Readers’ Choice: Tiny House Bar, Alice

Readers’ Recommend: Sickies Garage

Best Organized Bike Ride

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tour de Nebraska

Readers’ Choice: Radler Bike Festival, Omaha Biathlon

Readers’ Recommend: Interscholastic Nebraska Cycling League Race

Best Organized Footrace/Run

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ralston Fun Run

Readers’ Choice: Lincoln Marathon, Shamrock Run, Papillon Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Fun Run

Best Patio at a Bar

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: 1912 Benson

Readers’ Choice: Bärchen Beer Garden, Mr. Toad’s Pub, WestEnd Cocktails and Appetizers, Blatt Beer & Table

Readers’ Recommend: Brownie’s Watering Hole

Readers’ Refer: The Trap Room, The Down Under Lounge, The Tavern

Best Sand Volleyball

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Winchester Bar & Grill

Readers’ Choice: O’Leaver’s Pub, Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill, Big Red Restaurant & Sports Bar, The MARK

Best Shopping District/Mall

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nebraska Crossing Outlets

Readers’ Choice: Village Pointe, The Old Market, Downtown Ralston, Westroads Mall, Shadow Lake Towne Center

Best Sports Bar

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Good Life

Readers’ Choice: DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar, Tanner’s Bar & Grill, Addy’s Sports Bar & Grill

Readers’ Recommend: IceHouse Sports Bar

Readers’ Refer: Ref’s Sports Bar & Grill

Best Throwing Axe Place

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Flying Timber Axe Throwing

Readers’ Choice: Craft Axe Throwing – Omaha, Axe Games | Axe Throwing

Best Tourist Attractions

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Readers’ Choice: The Old Market, Lauritzen Gardens

Readers’ Refer: Omaha Performing Arts, Hollywood Candy

Best Wine Shop

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Spirit World

Readers’ Choice: La Buvette Wine & Grocery, Wine, Beer, and Spirits

Readers’ Recommend: Vino Mas, Twisted Vine


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