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Most Vibrant and Best Nightlife in Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard
The nightlife in Cape Cod is bustling with activity after dark, especially during the summer months. Save a little energy from your daytime adventures to partake in the dinner, dancing and entertainment happening nightly all around the area.
Many hotspots for nightlife in Cape Cod are known for their live music, DJs, and dancing. Others offer everything from sports on multiple screens to karaoke and to glow bowling and ballroom dancing.
In addition to the revelry, many serve iconic Cape Cod cuisine and offer spectacular sunset views from expansive decks that transition to dance floors as the evening progresses. Cape Cod bars are known for their creative cocktails and locally brewed craft beer selections.
Plenty to do in the Upper Cape Region of Cape Cod
The Upper Cape region has plenty to do. In Bourne, Courtyard Restaurant & Pub serves local seafood and brick oven pizza in a rustic tavern setting with regular live entertainment.
In Sandwich, Tomatoes Italian Bar & Grill offers delicious meals, a full bar, and entertainment featuring Sinatra Tuesdays and funky Saturday nights.
But Falmouth is the region’s hotspot. Grumpy’s Pub is known for live music from rock to reggae, dancing, and has pool, darts, and air hockey. Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub offers classic pub fare, live music, and trivia. Jacks Restaurant & Bar is a family-friendly venue with live shows ranging from jazz piano to southern rock. Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery serves their own craft beers with charcuterie and artisan pizzas and has a beer garden, outdoor activities, game nights, live music, and yoga sessions.
A Wide Variety of Lively Scenes in the Mid-Cape Region
In the Mid Cape region, Barnstable, Yarmouth, and Dennis offer a wide variety of lively scenes.
Barnstable’s emBargo offers a metropolitan lounge setting with DJs and dancing plus raw bar, tapas, a family style pig roast, and signature infusions. Roadhouse Café has a nautical-themed lounge, piano bar, live jazz shows and Italian cuisine. Barnstable Brewing uses ultra-fresh ingredients in their rotating selection of specialty beers.
In Dennis, favorites for karaoke, music and dancing include Sundancer’s, with lobster and seafood delicacies, The Improper Bostonian for wild happy hours, and Sand Bar overlooking the shore with its raw bar, frozen drinks, and late-night pizza. Harvest Gallery Wine Bar brings together art shows, cocktails, and an eclectic food menu, and Encore Bistro at the Cape Playhouse offers fine dining with live music. Sand Dollar Bar and Grill is a laid-back, family friendly destination with nightly entertainment and karaoke for children three days a week, and the Summer Shanty offers a fantastic harbor view, classic seafood, and burgers.
In Yarmouth, Red Face Jack’s has big screens for sports and Tavern 731 serves pub favorites from breakfast to late night.
Amazing Nightlife Along the Lower and Outer Cape
Along the Lower and Outer Cape, you’ll find some of the most amazing and best local nightlife spots.
In Harwich, Cape Cod’s Irish Pub is a classic Irish pub with live music and karaoke and Jake Rooney’s is cozy with its rustic bar and fireplace.
The Woodshed in Brewster is known for friendly service, reasonable prices, and fun entertainment.
The Beachcomber in Wellfleet is a popular beachfront oasis with fantastic food, cool cocktails, live music, and stunning views.
And Provincetown is famous for its clubs. For cabaret shows, DJs and dancing, visit The Crown & Anchor or Paramount Nightclub. For a waterfront pool and deck with splendid views, Wave Bar is the place to be. The Landing Bistro is a farm-to-table restaurant with creative cocktails, craft beer and regular live music. Tin Pan Alley is a waterfront piano bar with a seasonal menu of local fish, meat and produce.
On Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, there are more great restaurants and hangouts.
In Edgartown, The Newes from America is a classic pub in the historic that features fresh, local ingredients, seasonal cocktails, select wines, and locally brewed specialty beers. The Seafood Shanty offers a raw bar, expansive deck, spectacular view, DJs, and dancing. The Wharf serves seafood classics and pub fare, has 12 beers on tap and a fully stocked bar, and offers nightly entertainment all summer long.
In Oak Bluffs, Loft Nightclub has shuffleboard, pool, pinball machines, and more plus really good (and big) pizza. Coop de Ville is a dockside shuck-shack with affordable prices and the largest selection of craft beer on the island. Sand Bar & Grille is a beachfront hangout with live music, a fantastic view, great food, and friendly service. Lookout Tavern has one of the best views on the island, waterfront dining and memorable burgers and seafood dishes.
More Places to Hang Out in Nantucket
And Nantucket offers even more places to hang out. Galley Beach pairs refined menus with craft cocktails, spirits and wine, open-air dining, a beach lounge with fire pits, and beach umbrella service. The Gazebo at Harbor Square offers specialty cocktails, beer, and wine in an open sided pavilion. The Gaslight is a popular live music destination with a Japanese influenced menu showcasing local ingredients. And The Chicken Box is an unassuming roadhouse with pool tables, ping pong, darts, and live jazz, blues, and rock shows.