Almost everything sits on or just off Commercial Street, so you can walk the whole scene in about 20 minutes; many places scale back after the fall theme weeks.
Atlantic House (A-House)
Masonic Place, off Commercial St · 4-6 Masonic Place
A creaky old tavern with three rooms under one roof: the Little Bar downstairs for a quiet drink, the Macho Bar upstairs for the leather and denim guys, and the Big Room for dancing late. It's open year-round, so it's the reliable stop in the off-season too.
A big complex with the Wave Bar, the Paramount for dancing, a cabaret room for drag and comedy, the Vault for the leather crowd, and an outdoor courtyard. New owners reopened the bars in stages in 2026 while the hotel rooms stay closed for renovation, so check what's running the night you go.
The afternoon tea dance on the waterfront deck, starting around 4pm, is how a lot of people end their beach day, with a different theme on different days. It runs daily in summer and drops to weekends into the fall.
A restaurant with a piano lounge where local singers and pianists perform almost every night in season. Good for an easy evening of dinner and showtunes, and it stays open through the off-season.
Carver St, just up from Commercial St · 9 Carver St
Two bars open onto the porch here: a low-key lounge with pool and games, and the Living Room, which has a piano and live singers in season. It's a friendly, unfussy spot for a drink before or after the clubs.
Bradford St at the Brass Key Guesthouse · 67 Bradford St
A small cocktail lounge inside the Brass Key, with a fireplace indoors and a courtyard with a firepit outside. Come for a well-made cocktail and actual conversation, usually from 5pm. It's seasonal, so call ahead late in the year.
Bars open and close fast. Check the bar's own site or socials before you go. Something closed or missing? Post in Nightlife & Parties and we'll fix it. Run a bar? Send us an offer.