What makes a great party city? Is it the people? The places? Is a city’s nightlife only as good as the trends it represents? You’ve probably never thought about these questions – but luckily for you, we have, and so have our readers.

As a long-time advocate of going out, Time Out set out to find the cities with the best nightlife in the world in 2024. Our teams surveyed thousands of people in some of the world’s best cities about where they like to go and what they like about their city’s nightlife – affordability? Quality? Music? All of the above?

The results of our annual survey led us to this year’s ranking of the cities with the best nightlife in the world and the choice that interests us most: Austin. The capital of the state of Texas came in at number 5 on the global list and received the third highest quality rating. Many people cited 6th Street and Congress Avenue as their favorite places to hang out.

People also love Barton Springs, a refreshing attraction that, according to Jillian Anthony, an Austin native and former editor of Time Out New York, “is also Austin’s hottest dating pool.” When she’s not there, you can find her and other Austinites at Cheer Up Charlie’s sweaty dance parties.

Night swimming and Saltburn Partying may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about going out, especially in Texas, but Austin is proof that nightlife is changing and the latest and coolest things are happening there.