USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Austin favorite made the list

Sahara Lounge in Austin made USA TODAY’s list of best bars in the country.

The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2024 list, released today, features 27 bars from dives to high-end cocktail bars.

"I think what makes Sahara Lounge special in some ways is the ghosts that live in the building. But also just any space that has been a music venue for such a long time starts to have a special mojo in the walls," co-owner Topaz McGarrigle said of the club he owns with his mother, Eileen Bristol. "And then, of course, the community of people that come are so warm and the diversity racially and age-wise is super unique."

USA TODAY Network food journalists live and work in states across the country. They know their communities, and they pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes the places they spend their time and recommend to readers and friends.

USA TODAY's Bars of the Year for 2024: How the list of best bars was decided

Sahara Lounge was chosen because of its commitment to throwing epic dance parties, eclectic aesthetic, timelessness and celebration of community and diversity.

Here’s the full list and more about Sahara Lounge.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin club named to USA TODAY list of best bars in US