The yin of vivacious, after-dark partying balances Naples’ light-side yang of beaches and sunshine. The area’s fluxing demographic of young professionals has sparked a burgeoning of after-work options and vitality, yet the beauty of Naples nightlife is its rich mix of ages, residents, snowbirds, and tourists. Here’s where to find the action.
Live Music
That sleepy little fishing town called Naples? It has awakened. No more rolling up the sidewalks at dark. Clubs from downtown to Mercato, East Naples to Marco Island jam weekends – some nightly – with live bands and the prancing feet of happy music-lovers.
7th Avenue Social Downtown has always thrummed with after-dark vibes, but in the last few years, things have gotten later and livelier with this particular fun-infusion. From live cover bands to Latin guitar and piano soloists, it orchestrates a fresh vision of funky living room chic, al fresco courtyard, and handcrafted cocktails and food into the wee hours.
Blue Monkey Bar & Grille In East Naples, the Blue Monkey serves up live bands every Friday and Saturday night ‘neath a tribe of stuffed blue monkeys hanging from the open ceiling. Blues, rock, funk, pop, and country tunes sound off the small stage in a get-comfortable, red brick setting.
Cavo Lounge North Naples’ Mercato entertainment center is known for its happy hours and good times. New to the scene, Cavo sets a smart, modernist, indoor-outdoor tone. It hosts a live jazz singer and pianist every Monday evening and a Latin jazz band on Tuesdays. Step out onto the spacious dance floor or sink into a comfy couch.
The Continental Another welcome addition to downtown, its house bands fill the courtyard with favorite tunes most evenings. A grand outdoor bar hung with globes of craft cocktails, generous dance floor, and bar menu of designer small plates further welcome late-nighters.
Little Bar Restaurant In the quirky fishing village of Goodland, equally quirky Little Bar provides live entertainment most days, ranging from blues and jazz to country and acoustic rock. Purely local, the bar rambles through unique rooms fashioned from an old pipe organ and a historic boat, then out to the waterfront porch.
Snook Inn Tropical tunes emanate from the chickee bar stage at this longtime fixture in Olde Marco. Daily and nightly, live soloists and cover bands entertain diners and happy hour toasters al fresco on the waterfront.
Stan’s Idle Hour Continuing Goodland’s reputation for outrageous, Stan’s is most famous for its Sunday afternoon Buzzard Lope dancing (Goodland’s answer to the chicken dance), but the open-air, waterfront bar hosts music daily and after dark on Friday and Saturday nights. Expect country tunes and music with a sense of humor.
The Stage Restaurant & Bar In Bonita Springs, tribute bands entertain in a dinner theater format at this massive club. Dance and sing along to the music of legends from the Eagles to Barry Manilow.
Themed Nights
If, like most people, drinking makes you smarter and more talented (wink), you won’t want to miss opportunities to perform and compete on special nights at local bars.
Off the Hook Comedy Club At least once monthly, wannabe comedians get their opportunity to take the stage and coax laughter from the audience. Check the web site for dates.
The Parrot Bar & Grill Monday and Thursday Trivia Nights happen at this Key West-style bar downtown. Compete on your own or bring a group of equally beer-brainy types, but first be sure to download the bar’s free app. From 7:30 to 9:30, your team writes down answers for five rounds of trivia questions in seven categories. Each time you win a round, score 300 points on your app, worth $300 credit at The Parrot.
The Pub Naples Similarly, Monday Pub Quiz night at Mercato starts at 7:30, when the emcee belts out 20 general questions in various categories while you record answers. A 10-question music round follows, where you guess each song’s artist and title from a 15-second clip. The grand winner scores a $50 gift card to the pub.
South Street Naples Its stage has something of an urban vibe with stylish graffiti sprayed on red brick walls. National recording artists and other musicians appear through the week. You can share their spotlight for karaoke on Tuesdays or open music mic nights every Thursday.
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