By any measure, Worcester has no shortage of places to grab a drink. Now, one of them has earned national recognition.
Femme Bar on Green Street has been named one of USA TODAY’s 38 Bars of the Year for 2026, making it the only Worcester establishment — and one of just three Massachusetts bars — to appear on the newspaper’s annual list.
The list, compiled by food writers from across the USA TODAY Network, recognizes bars that stand out not only for their drinks but for their atmosphere and sense of place.
“From dive bars to beach bars, swanky cocktail speakeasies to retro-throwback lounges, the best bars tell a story,” the publication wrote, adding that the featured establishments are places where “locals and visitors alike gather for good conversation, warm vibes and a little slice of the city’s character.”
In its profile of Femme Bar, written by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s Meg Trogolo for the USA TODAY Network, the publication praised the venue’s welcoming atmosphere, food, entertainment and colorful cocktail menu.
“Femme Bar hits all the marks: a friendly, welcoming space; a mouth-watering menu; drag shows and music; and, perhaps most importantly, colorfully named drinks such as the Bad Idea, the Pink Pony Club and the Girl of My Dreams,” the story states. “It’s no wonder that Femme Bar has developed a reputation not just as an LGBTQ+ epicenter, but as one of the all-around best bars in the region.”
Massachusetts had to other bars recognized on the 2026 list: The Wig Shop in Boston and Shipwrecked in Falmouth.
