Best Credit Cards for Bars, Cocktail Lounges, and Nightlife
Yes, bars count as dining on most credit cards. Bars, pubs, and cocktail lounges code as MCC 5813 (drinking places), which qualifies for dining bonus rates on nearly every major card, with one important exception (the Amex Gold). Here is how to maximize your nightlife spending.
The Best Credit Card for Bars
The U.S. Bank Altitude Go earns the highest rate at bars: 4x points with no annual fee (capped at $2,000/quarter). For an uncapped pick that also covers concerts and clubs, the Capital One Savor earns 3% on bars plus 3% on entertainment with no fee, making it the best all-rounder for a full night out. The Chase Sapphire Preferred (3x) and Wells Fargo Autograph (3x) also earn bonus rewards at bars.
One card to avoid for bars: the Amex Gold. Its 4x restaurant category explicitly excludes standalone bars and nightclubs, so bar tabs earn just 1x.
Bar Earning Rates by Card
| Card | Bar/Pub Rate | Entertainment Rate | Annual Fee | Includes MCC 5813? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank Altitude Go | 4x (4%) | 1x | $0 (capped $2K/qtr) | Yes |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 3x (5.1%) | 1x | $95 | Yes |
| Capital One Savor | 3% | 3% | $0 | Yes |
| Wells Fargo Autograph | 3x (3%) | 1x | $0 | Yes |
| Amex Gold | 1x (1.8%) | 1x | $325 ($85 net) | No |
MCC 5813: What Qualifies as a "Drinking Place"
Edge Cases
Wineries with tasting rooms: Usually code as 5813 if they have a tasting room. Bottle purchases from the retail section may code as 5921 (package liquor stores), which typically does not earn dining bonuses.
Concert venues: The bar tab at a concert venue usually codes under the venue's MCC (7922, entertainment), not as 5813. The Capital One Savor still earns 3% due to the entertainment category.
Hotel bars: Hotel bars sometimes code under the hotel's MCC (7011, lodging) if you charge to your room. Pay separately with your dining card to ensure the 5813 coding.
Amex Gold exclusion: Unlike most dining cards, the Amex Gold does not treat MCC 5813 as part of its 4x restaurant category. American Express explicitly excludes standalone bars, nightclubs, and breweries, so those purchases earn just 1x. A separate card is worth carrying for bar tabs if the Gold is your main dining card.
The Capital One Savor Advantage for Nightlife
The Capital One Savor earns 3% on both dining and entertainment with no annual fee. If your nightlife includes both bar tabs (dining, 3%) and concert/event tickets (entertainment, 3%), the Savor covers your entire night out at the same rate, so you never have to think about which category a venue codes under.
Because there is no annual fee, every dollar of that 3% is pure profit. That makes the Savor the simplest free pick for people whose spending blends bars, restaurants, concerts, and streaming.
Nightlife Optimization Tips
- Pay the bar tab yourself: Offer to put the group tab on your rewards card and have friends Venmo you. You earn the points on the full amount.
- Pay bar tabs separately from venue cover: If a venue charges a cover separately, the bar tab should code as dining (5813) while the cover may code as entertainment.
- Tip on the card: Tips earn the same bonus rate as the purchase. A generous tip on a $100 bar tab means more rewards.
- Use Amex Offers: Amex occasionally offers statement credits at bars and nightlife venues. Add the offer before going out.
FAQ
Do bars count as dining on credit cards?
On most cards, yes. Bars code as MCC 5813 (drinking places), which is included in the dining bonus category on the Chase Sapphire (3x), Capital One Savor (3%), U.S. Bank Altitude Go (4x), Wells Fargo Autograph (3x), and most other cards with a dining bonus. This includes pubs, cocktail lounges, wine bars, and brewery taprooms. The Amex Gold is the main exception: it excludes standalone bars from its 4x restaurant category, so they earn only 1x.
Do breweries count as dining for credit card rewards?
Most breweries with taprooms code as MCC 5813 and earn dining bonus rates. If the brewery primarily sells packaged beer to go, it may code as a liquor store (5921) instead. When in doubt, check your statement after your first visit.
What is the best card for bars and nightlife?
For a no-fee card, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go earns the highest rate at bars (4x, capped at $2,000/quarter). The Capital One Savor at 3% on bars plus 3% on entertainment is the best uncapped all-rounder for a full night out. Avoid the Amex Gold for bars: standalone bars are excluded from its 4x category, so they earn only 1x.
Do nightclub cover charges count as dining?
Usually not. Nightclub cover charges often code as entertainment (MCC 7922) rather than dining (5813). Your drink purchases inside the club should code as 5813 if paid at the bar. The Capital One Savor earns bonus rates on both entertainment and dining, covering both the cover and the bar tab.
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Updated 16 June 2026