National Neighborhood Survivability Rankings for Bar
StreetSpring's 2026 nationwide analysis ranks the top neighborhoods across the 22 US metros in this ranking for Bars. See which neighborhoods offer the highest Survivability Scores.
StreetSpring's 2026 cross-market analysis finds 3 neighborhoods tied for #1 in the United States for opening a Bar: Garment District in New York City, Little Italy in New York City and Prospect Heights in New York City, each with 83.9% survivability at a typical address. The top 27 neighborhoods nationwide span 7 different cities, demonstrating that exceptional opportunities for Bars exist across diverse markets. These city and neighborhood averages are a starting point, but StreetSpring's live platform provides the up-to-date survivability score for your exact block or storefront.
To understand the methodology behind these rankings, see our detailed guide: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-05 by Robert Koons, Founder & CEO, StreetSpring
Quick Summary
- Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
- #1 Neighborhood: Garment District, New York City: 83.9% survivability at a typical address for Bar, tied with Little Italy (New York City) and Prospect Heights (New York City)
- What the figures measure: every figure in this ranking is the typical address, the neighborhood's average in its metro file, and the ranking orders on it
- Ranked neighborhoods: 1,907 across 22 major US cities
- Average across the 1,907 ranked neighborhoods: 71.9% at a typical address for Bars
- Top-27 average: 83.2% at a typical address, 11.3 points above the average across all ranked neighborhoods
- Data current as of: 2026 · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- How neighborhoods compare nationwide
- Top 27 neighborhoods in the US
- Geographic patterns
- How to use this ranking
- Related resources
- Frequently asked questions
How do neighborhoods compare across the United States for Bars?
Across 1,907 ranked neighborhoods in 22 major US cities, StreetSpring's 2026 data shows the top 27 neighborhoods for Bars averaging 83.2% survivability at a typical address, against 71.9% for the average across the 1,907 ranked neighborhoods.
This 11.3-point gap is the distance between those two averages, both at a typical address. It compares projections for neighborhoods; the projection for any one storefront is made at its own address.
For Bars specifically, StreetSpring's model reads competitive density within the immediate trade area alongside local consumer spending on the category. The 11.3-point gap between the top-ranked neighborhoods and the average across the 1,907 ranked neighborhoods, both at a typical address, shows how far the projection for Bars moves from one neighborhood to the next. Each forecast is specific to the exact address and business type, generated by StreetSpring's internally developed prediction engine.
Importantly, top-performing neighborhoods aren't concentrated in just a few cities. The top 27 neighborhoods represent 7 different cities. This means entrepreneurs focused on Bars can find exceptional opportunities across the United States, not just in traditionally strong markets.
Site selection is the highest-leverage decision most entrepreneurs make: it sets every other variable in motion.
What are the best neighborhoods in the United States to open a Bar?
The first, middle and last neighborhood in the table below, with the same three figures the table prints from each metro file: the box runs from the lowest to the highest address, and the white line is the typical address. Garment District in New York City, Little Italy in New York City and Prospect Heights in New York City tie for the lead at 83.9% at a typical address in 2026. Full methodology →
The top 27 neighborhoods nationwide for Bars are:
Scores for Bars run from 48.0% to 84.0% on this scale. The best address in 948 of the 1,907 ranked neighborhoods reaches the 84.0% ceiling, so the Best Locations column often shows that ceiling rather than a difference between places.
Neighborhoods are ordered on the typical address, the file's average for each neighborhood. Best Locations and Challenging Locations are the file's highest and lowest address.
| # | Neighborhood | City | Avg Survival (Typical Address) | Tier | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garment District | New York City | 83.9% | Great | 84.0% | 83.1% |
| 1 | Little Italy | New York City | 83.9% | Great | 84.0% | 83.1% |
| 1 | Prospect Heights | New York City | 83.9% | Great | 84.0% | 83.1% |
| 4 | Uptown | Seattle | 83.8% | Great | 84.0% | 83.1% |
| 5 | Chinatown | New York City | 83.7% | Great | 84.0% | 83.1% |
| 6 | Spring Garden | Philadelphia | 83.6% | Great | 84.0% | 83.1% |
| 6 | Boerum Hill | New York City | 83.6% | Great | 84.0% | 82.6% |
| 6 | Prospect Lefferts Gardens | New York City | 83.6% | Great | 84.0% | 82.6% |
| 6 | Carroll Gardens | New York City | 83.6% | Great | 84.0% | 71.8% |
| 10 | Dunlap | Philadelphia | 83.5% | Great | 84.0% | 82.6% |
| 11 | Sheffield Neighbors | Chicago | 83.4% | Great | 84.0% | 78.2% |
| 12 | East Passyunk | Philadelphia | 83.2% | Great | 84.0% | 82.6% |
| 12 | Platt Park | Denver | 83.2% | Great | 84.0% | 81.3% |
| 14 | Ball Square | Boston | 83.1% | Great | 84.0% | 81.3% |
| 15 | Judiciary Square | Washington DC | 83.0% | Great | 84.0% | 75.9% |
| 15 | Tribeca | New York City | 83.0% | Great | 84.0% | 65.1% |
| 15 | LeDroit Park | Washington DC | 83.0% | Good | 84.0% | 81.3% |
| 18 | Davis Square | Boston | 82.9% | Great | 84.0% | 72.8% |
| 19 | Five Points | Denver | 82.8% | Great | 84.0% | 79.5% |
| 19 | Palmer Square | Chicago | 82.8% | Great | 84.0% | 79.0% |
| 21 | Shaw | Washington DC | 82.7% | Great | 84.0% | 72.8% |
| 21 | City Park West | Denver | 82.7% | Great | 84.0% | 80.4% |
| 23 | North Rosslyn | Washington DC | 82.6% | Great | 84.0% | 66.9% |
| 23 | Penn Quarter | Washington DC | 82.6% | Great | 84.0% | 61.0% |
| 23 | Queen Village | Philadelphia | 82.6% | Great | 84.0% | 54.3% |
| 23 | U Street Corridor | Washington DC | 82.6% | Good | 84.0% | 80.4% |
| 23 | Highland | Denver | 82.6% | Good | 84.0% | 78.6% |
Still, specific site selection matters, since some of the best-performing blocks can be found in neighborhoods that might not look ideal at first glance.
For a full explanation of how survivability scores and ranges are calculated, see Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters.
What patterns emerge from the top-performing neighborhoods nationwide?
City Concentration
The top 27 neighborhoods span 7 different cities, with New York City claiming 8 of the top spots (30%).
Breakdown of top 27 neighborhoods by city:
- New York City: 8 neighborhoods (30% of top 27): View city guide
- Washington DC: 6 neighborhoods (22% of top 27): View city guide
- Philadelphia: 4 neighborhoods (15% of top 27): View city guide
- Denver: 4 neighborhoods (15% of top 27)
- Chicago: 2 neighborhoods (7% of top 27): View city guide
- Boston: 2 neighborhoods (7% of top 27): View city guide
- Seattle: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 27): View city guide
This distribution has practical implications for Bars operators: cities with multiple neighborhoods in the top 27 offer more site options within a single market, reducing relocation or expansion cost. Cities with a single top-27 neighborhood require more precise site selection: the advantage is concentrated in one area rather than spread across the metro.
The relatively even distribution of top neighborhoods across the 7 cities represented in the top 27 is consistent with a category where consumer demand is broadly distributed rather than concentrated in specific metros. For Bars operators, this means strong site opportunities exist in multiple markets: the key variable is neighborhood-level competitive conditions rather than city-level market size.
How can I use this neighborhood ranking to find the best location for a Bar?
While nationwide neighborhood rankings identify standout markets, address-level analysis reveals even greater variation. The StreetSpring platform combines proprietary consumer spending forecasts, competitive density analysis, and local demand modeling to produce survivability predictions no other tool replicates. Even within top-ranked neighborhoods, the lowest and highest address can sit several points apart, as the Best Locations and Challenging Locations columns show.
For the most accurate assessment:
- Consider neighborhoods in the top 27 as strong starting points
- Examine city-specific guides for additional neighborhood options in your target markets
- Use StreetSpring's address-level tool to evaluate specific storefronts within these neighborhoods
- Factor in your budget, operational requirements, and target demographics
Each neighborhood has detailed analysis available through its city guide, providing block-by-block survivability data for Bars.
See also: Best Cities for Bar: our city-level comparison ranks which metros offer the strongest overall conditions for Bars.
Related Resources
Explore top cities represented in these neighborhoods:
- Seattle: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Boston: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Washington DC: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Philadelphia: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- New York City: Best businesses and neighborhoods
National city rankings: Best cities for Bars
Essential resources:
- How StreetSpring calculates Survivability Scores
- Site selection for landlords
- AI tools for tenant representatives
- StreetSpring vs competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
What demographic factors drive survivability for Bars?
For Bars, StreetSpring's model incorporates neighborhood-level demographic data including population density, median household income, employment rates, and consumer spending on this specific category. These factors vary by business type: the demographic profile that drives survivability for Bar customers may differ significantly from what matters for other business categories.
How does the national ranking for Bars compare to city-level rankings?
The national neighborhood ranking for Bars identifies the strongest neighborhoods across the 22 metros in this ranking. City-level rankings provide a more granular view of the best neighborhoods within a specific city. In cases where a city has multiple neighborhoods in the national top 27, the city-level guide shows the full ranking of all neighborhoods in that market: including those outside the national top 27 that may still offer strong site-specific opportunities.
How often do neighborhood rankings change?
StreetSpring updates rankings quarterly as new data on business openings, closures, and market conditions becomes available. The current analysis reflects 2026 data. Because competitive conditions shift as new businesses enter or exit a neighborhood, the specific rankings for any given business type can shift between updates, which is why we recommend verifying specific addresses in StreetSpring's live tool before making a final site selection decision.
What is the typical survivability range for Bars in top neighborhoods?
The top 27 neighborhoods nationwide for Bars average 83.2% survivability at a typical address. The average across the 1,907 ranked neighborhoods is 71.9%, also at a typical address. The gap between the two is 11.3 points. Each neighborhood's lowest and highest address are in the table above.
How can I compare specific addresses within these top neighborhoods?
StreetSpring's address-level tool allows you to input any commercial address and see predicted survivability for Bars. Even within the top-ranked neighborhoods, survivability varies meaningfully by block: address-level scoring is the most precise way to evaluate a specific site.
How should a landlord use this ranking when evaluating tenants for Bars?
Landlords can use this national neighborhood ranking to assess whether their property is in a location favorable to Bars, and by extension, how likely a Bar tenant is to maintain long-term occupancy. If your property is in one of the top 27 neighborhoods, Bars represent a strong tenant category. If not, StreetSpring's address-level tool will show the survivability score for your specific address and which tenant types score highest there.
Are there good opportunities outside the top 27 neighborhoods?
Absolutely. This ranking covers 1,907 ranked neighborhoods across 22 cities. Many neighborhoods outside the top 27 have excellent individual locations for Bars. Neighborhood-level rankings reflect averages: specific addresses within any neighborhood can score well above or below the neighborhood mean. Use city-specific guides and StreetSpring's address-level tool to explore options beyond the top 27.
How does StreetSpring calculate survivability for Bars specifically?
StreetSpring's model calculates survivability for Bars by analyzing the competitive density of existing Bars within each distance band around the address, the projected consumer spending on Bars in that location, the housing vacancy rate and business mix around the site, and hundreds of additional factors. The resulting survivability score reflects the estimated probability of a new Bar surviving two or more years at that specific address.
Technical note: Aggregated national survivability rankings across the metros in this ranking are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
The table above reproduces from these metro files, one per city: New York City, Seattle, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Boston, Washington DC.
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.
Methodology: Neighborhoods are ranked on the typical address: the average Survivability Score for Bars across the scored locations within each neighborhood, as its metro file publishes it. The average across all ranked neighborhoods is the plain mean of those figures, not the national average on the city ranking, which averages metros. Rankings represent neighborhood-level conditions but do not account for block-by-block variation. Coverage includes 1907 neighborhoods across 22 major US cities. StreetSpring scores 500+ business types: 153 base business types, most of them at 5 price points, which is 569 type-and-price combinations you can choose in the tool.