The Best Bars in Las Cruces

Blue Moon Bar & Grill earns top marks for green chili cheeseburgers and a lively patio with live music in remote Radium Springs.

By The Scoop Editorial Team · How we pick · Updated July 2026

Visiting Las Cruces? Peak season runs fall and spring (mild weather), when Las Cruces's Bars pack out on weekend nights.

Bars in Las Cruces
Editor's Pick

Blue Moon Bar & Grill

★★★★★ 4.6 · 645 reviews

Open 12 PM–10 PM most days

The green chili cheeseburger is the anchor here, a handmade patty with roasted chiles that regulars order without hesitation. The kitchen rounds it out with brisket sandwiches, fish and chips, and portions generous enough to share. The real draw sits outside: a covered patio and dance floor that host live music most weekends, with pool tables inside for slower nights. Radium Springs is a quiet stretch north of town, so expect a drive, but the remote location keeps the vibe relaxed and the crowds manageable. Pricing runs fair for the portion sizes, and the service stays friendly even when the patio fills up.

"The patio is outstanding with live music and a dance floor…"Verified review
Best for: groups wanting space to dance and eat
Call Now (575) 649-3747 Visit Website

13060 N Valley Dr, Las Cruces

Blue Moon Bar & Grill, Bars in Las Cruces
Blue Moon Bar & GrillPhoto: Kevin “Wormington” Allen

13060 N Valley Dr, Las Cruces

TOP OF THE TOWN LAS CRUCES, NM THE SCOOP BARS
2No. 2 in Las Cruces

Elephant Ranch

★★★★★ 4.6 · 220 reviews

Open 11 AM–10 PM most days

Elephant Ranch builds its entire experience around a walled outdoor patio filled with vintage arcade games, quirky signage, and enough seating to handle big groups without feeling cramped. A food truck parks on-site most nights, turning out Al Pastor quesadillas and other Mexican staples that pair well with the craft cocktail menu. The bar stocks a serious liquor selection, with an attached store for bottle purchases, and the bartenders pour generous drinks that regulars mention by name. Weekend live music draws mixed-age crowds, and the dog-friendly policy means patios fill with both families and couples. Service quality swings with the crowd size, so expect slower pours when bands play.

"LOVED the outdoor space! Dog-friendly and plenty of room. Very friendly, attentive service."Verified review
Best for: outdoor hangs with dogs and live bands
Call Website

3995 W Picacho Ave, Las Cruces

Elephant Ranch, Bars in Las Cruces
Elephant RanchPhoto: Teresa Martinez

3995 W Picacho Ave, Las Cruces

3No. 3 in Las Cruces

Dry Point Distillers

★★★★★ 4.7 · 119 reviews

Hours vary by day

House-distilled spirits meet a full menu from the Stone Crow kitchen at Dry Point. The Blue Corn Bourbon anchors cocktails that locals call the best in town, while crostini flights come topped with smoked salmon, beetroot hummus, and sweet Thai chili. Prime rib burgers arrive medium rare, and even the cauliflower tacos get plated with care. Seating is limited, so weekends can mean a wait for larger groups.

"Dry Point Distillers offers an eclectic drink menu that hovers somewhere between extremely modern and classic vintage…"Verified review
Best for: date nights and cocktail enthusiasts
Call Website

1680 Calle De Alvarez # C, Las Cruces

Dry Point Distillers, Bars in Las Cruces
Dry Point DistillersPhoto: Town of Mesilla

1680 Calle De Alvarez # C, Las Cruces

4No. 4 in Las Cruces

Farley's

★★★★★ 4.3 · 1891 reviews

Hours vary by day

Farley's serves game-watchers looking for screens, burgers, and a full bar. Green chili wontons and gluten-free cauliflower crust pizzas stretch the menu past typical wings-and-fries territory, and portions run large enough to share. Guinness on tap and the sports package keep regulars coming back when a match is on.

"Always have great service and fantastic pizza. Guinness on tap…"Verified review
Best for: watching games with a crowd
Call Website

3499 Foothills Rd, Las Cruces

Farley's, Bars in Las Cruces
Farley'sPhoto: Farley's

3499 Foothills Rd, Las Cruces

5No. 5 in Las Cruces

The Game Sports Bar & Grill

★★★★★ 4.3 · 1458 reviews

Open 11 AM–10 PM most days

The Game's big-screen setup makes it the go-to for football Sundays and international matches, with live bands and karaoke pulling midweek crowds. The menu runs New Mexican pub fare (jalapeño popper burgers, Nashville chicken sandwiches) that delivers consistently. The patio gets loud during live sets, so grab an indoor table if you want conversation.

"I love the food. They have music on live some nights a great band…"Verified review
Best for: sports fans and live music regulars
Call Website

2605 S Espina St, Las Cruces

The Game Sports Bar & Grill, Bars in Las Cruces
The Game Sports Bar & GrillPhoto: Paul Miller

2605 S Espina St, Las Cruces

How Las Cruces's Top Bars Compare

How Las Cruces's top Bars compare across key factors
Business Price Hours Known for
Blue Moon Bar & Grill Top Pick Moderate 12 PM–10 PM groups wanting space to dance and eat
Elephant Ranch Moderate 11 AM–10 PM outdoor hangs with dogs and live bands
Dry Point Distillers Moderate Varies date nights and cocktail enthusiasts
Farley's Moderate Varies watching games with a crowd
The Game Sports Bar & Grill Moderate 11 AM–10 PM sports fans and live music regulars

What People Are Saying

★★★★★
…their food is hot, delicious, and exactly as presented on menu, except way more delicious than imagined…
Blue Moon Bar & Grill
★★★★★
The outdoor walled patio is great to sit at with a drink on a warm evening. Staff is very friendly and welcoming.
Elephant Ranch
★★★★★
Flavor, beauty and such an attention to detail in every dish…
Dry Point Distillers

Bars in Las Cruces

Bar traffic in Las Cruces swings with the New Mexico State calendar (packed during football season and spring semesters, quiet over breaks). Mild fall and spring evenings make patios prime real estate September through May; summer heat pushes regulars indoors or under shade. Sports bars cluster near campus and the east side, serving students and military families rotating through White Sands Missile Range. Downtown and Mesilla pull a mix of locals and El Paso visitors chasing craft cocktails, live music, or New Mexican chile-spiked bar food you won't find elsewhere.

What to Know Before You Choose

Questions Las Cruces Locals Ask

Which bar in Las Cruces has the best green chili cheeseburger?

Blue Moon Bar & Grill in Radium Springs serves the green chili cheeseburger that locals drive out of town to order, with handmade patties and roasted chiles that define the dish. Farley's also offers a solid burger option closer to town if you want to stay in the city limits. Both places keep the chile heat balanced and the portions generous.

Where can I watch live sports in Las Cruces?

The Game Sports Bar & Grill and Farley's both run multiple big screens tuned to football, soccer, and major sporting events year-round. The Game draws regulars for international matches and has a welcoming atmosphere for fans of all teams, while Farley's leans heavier into traditional American sports. Both offer full bar menus and pub food to go with the games.

What bars in Las Cruces have outdoor patios?

Blue Moon Bar & Grill offers a covered outdoor patio with a dance floor and live music most weekends, while Elephant Ranch builds its entire experience around a walled courtyard filled with vintage games and quirky decor. Both patios are dog-friendly and can handle large groups. The Game has an outdoor space that gets loud during live band performances if you prefer a quieter setting indoors.

Which Las Cruces bar serves the best cocktails?

Dry Point Distillers wins local polls for best cocktails, pouring house-distilled Blue Corn Bourbon into old fashioneds and creative seasonal drinks. The bartenders adjust recipes to taste and mix mocktails for non-drinkers with the same attention to balance. Elephant Ranch also serves craft cocktails with a generous pour, though the menu leans less experimental than Dry Point's rotating specials.

Are there any bars in Las Cruces with live music?

Blue Moon Bar & Grill hosts live bands most weekends on a covered outdoor dance floor that draws mixed-age crowds. Elephant Ranch schedules live music on weekends in the outdoor courtyard, and The Game Sports Bar & Grill books live bands and karaoke midweek. Dry Point Distillers occasionally features live performances in a more intimate setting.

What bars near New Mexico State University are good for students?

The Game Sports Bar & Grill sits closest to campus on Espina Street and draws a student-friendly crowd for game days and karaoke nights. Farley's on Foothills Road offers good value and generous portions that fit student budgets. Both spots keep the atmosphere casual and the drink pricing accessible for regulars on fixed incomes.

Which bars in Las Cruces serve food late?

Blue Moon Bar & Grill serves food until close on weekends, with the kitchen staying open later than most spots in the area. The Game Sports Bar & Grill also keeps the kitchen running late on Fridays and Saturdays. For the latest hours, call ahead, as kitchen closing times can shift with crowd size and staffing.

What's the best bar in Las Cruces for a date night?

Dry Point Distillers combines house-distilled cocktails with beautifully plated small plates in an intimate setting that works well for conversation. The crostini flights and gourmet burgers bring fine-dining quality to the bar menu. Elephant Ranch offers a more casual outdoor vibe with quirky decor and a food truck if you prefer a relaxed date atmosphere.

Still deciding? You can't miss with Blue Moon Bar & Grill, our top pick. Call Blue Moon Bar & Grill
Visiting Las Cruces? Make a trip of it Art Galleries in Las CrucesLas Cruces BBQBest Breakfast & Brunch in Las CrucesThe Las Cruces Breweries GuideButcher & Meat Shops in Las CrucesLas Cruces Chinese Restaurants

Got a correction, a tip, an opinion, or a town you want us in? Reach out, we read everything.

Blue Moon Bar & Grill Top of the Town
Call Now