The 105 Best Songs You Hear at a Bar at 2 A.M.

Hardest-partying states in America and the hardest working states in the US.

  • 2 a.m. at a bar is perfect for the right kind of songs
  • This list features anthems, heart-string pullers, and dance your ass of songs
  • More cool stuff here

When the clock strikes 2 a.m. at a bar, that’s when things tend to get real. It’s when the rubber hits the road, the chips fall and the dust settles and yes, it’s when all the cliches that are known to man make sense. The lights are all on and with it, the harsh reality that comes with fully illuminated clarity.

But that time of day/night is also when some songs just hit perfectly. They call out to you, grabbing your attention, and regardless of what kind of nonsense you might be getting into, they force you to stop everything, cock your head back and start singing along. Whether or not you know all the words is something that is completely irrelevant. At this point, it’s all about effort, kid.

After doing extensive field research, consulting with experts, and then doing some more field research, the following list of the best songs for this specific time and place was compiled. Originally scribbled on a beer-soaked napkin, we now present it to you in a slightly more legible way.

We’re sure we left off some of your favorites. But here are ours.

The Ones Where We’re Singing To The Cheap Seats

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“Don’t Stop Believing” — Journey

“Living on a Prayer” — Bon Jovi

“Sweet Child O’Mine” — Guns N’ Roses

“Glory Days” — Bruce Springsteen

“We Are the Champions” — Queen

“Mr. Brightside” — The Killers

“Beautiful Day” — U2

“Free Falling” — Tom Petty

“Gin & Juice” — Snoop Dogg

“Bohemian Rhapsody” — Queen

“You Shook Me All Night Long” — AC/DC

“Born in the USA” — Bruce Springsteen

“Use Somebody” — Kings of Leon

“Welcome to the Jungle” — Guns N’ Roses

“All the Single Ladies” — Beyonce

“All the Small Things” — Blink 182

“Brown-Eyed Girl” — Van Morrisson

“Ants Marching” — Dave Matthews Band

“Closing Time” — Semisonic

“I Gotta Feeling” — Black Eyed Peas

“Sweet Caroline” — Neil Diamond

“Take Me Home Tonight” — Eddie Money

The Ones Where All That Matters Is The Chorus

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“Tiny Dancer” — Elton John

“Here I Go Again” — Whitesnake

“Fight for Your Right to Party” — Beastie Boys

“Country Roads” — John Denver

“Faith” — George Michael

“Josie” — The Outfield

“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” — Joan Jett

“Got My Mind Set on You” — George Harrison

“Sex is on Fire” — Kings of Leon

“Jessie’s Girl” — Rick Springfield

“Piano Man” — Billy Joel

“Empire State of Mind” — Jay-Z

“Let’s Get It Started” — Black Eyed Peas

“Hey! Baby” — Bruce Channel

“Any Way You Want It” — Journey

“Say It Ain’t So” — Weezer

“Hotel California” — The Eagles

“Rock You Like a Hurricane” — Scorpions

“I’ll be Missing You” — Puff Daddy

“Freebird” — Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Party in the USA” — Miley Cyrus

“Mr. Jones” — Counting Crows

“You Can Call Me Al” — Paul Simon

“She Will Be Loved” — Maroon 5

“California Girls” — David Lee Roth

“Jeremy” — Pearl Jam

“Sunday Bloody Sunday” — U2

“Sweet Emotion” — Aerosmith

“Let my Love Open the Door” — Pete Townshend

“Never Let You Go” — Third Eye Blind

“Teenage Wasteland” — The Who

“Shout” — Tears for Fears

“Somebody to Love” — Queen

The Ones Where You Know Almost All The Words

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“Wagon Wheel” — Darius Rucker

“Piano Man” — Billy Joel

“Billie Jean” — Michael Jackson

“Sweet Home Alabama” — Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Semi-Charmed Life” — Third Eye Blind

“Ring of Fire” — Johnny Cash

“Apple Bottom Jeans” – TPain

“All Summer Long” — Kid Rock

“Mo Money Mo Problems” — Notorious B.I.G.

“Vertigo” — U2

“Crazy Bitch” — Buckcherry

The Ones Where You Know Barely Any Words But Who Cares, Right?

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“Dancing in the Dark” — Bruce Springsteen

“Juicy” — Notorious B.I.G.

“Cotton-Eyed Joe” — Rednex

“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” — Pat Benatar

“99 Red Balloons” — NENA

“Tik Tok” — Ke$ha

“Hey Jealousy” — Gin Blossoms

“Sunglasses at Night” — TIGA

“Heat of the Moment” — Asia

“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” — Jet

“Viva La Vida” — Coldplay

The Ones Where Gender Need Not Apply

Katy Perry Accused Of Sexual Assault By Model In Teenage Dream Video

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“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — Cyndi Lauper

“Kissed a Girl” — Katy Perry

The Ones Where We Hug During It

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“Chasing Cars” — Snow Patrol

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” — Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwoʻole

“I’m Yours” — Jason Mraz

“Love Story” — Taylor Swift

“Somewhere Only We Know” — Keane

“Heart” — Alone

“Better Together” — Jack Johnson

The Ones Where We Need Room To Dance

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“I Want to Dance with Somebody” — Whitney Houston

“ABC” — Jackson 5

“Shots” — LMFAO

“Just Dance” — Lady Gaga

“Forever” — Chris Brown

“Rude Boy” — Rihanna

“OMG” — Usher

“Peaches ‘n’ Cream” — 112

“Ignition” — R. Kelly

“The Thong Song” — Cisco

“Please Don’t Stop the Music” — Rihanna

“Airplanes” — B.o.B.

“Don’t Cha” — Pussy Cat Dolls

“Damaged” — Danity Kane

“Sexy Chick” — David Guetta ft. Akon

“Party Up” — DMX

“Grace Kelly” — Mika

“Yeah” — Usher

“Blame it on the Alcahol” — Jamie Fox