Beyond offering superb outdoor activities like sunbathing, swimming on pristine beaches, and participating in thrilling water adventures, the area spanning St. Pete Beach and Tampa Bay is a hotspot for vibrant nightlife.
Whenever you’re visiting the area, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to having a great night out in town. And there’s something fun for everybody.
Once the sun goes down, the region comes alive with a variety of options for a chilled or high-energy night out — from seaside venues and restaurants to vibrant dance clubs and vast entertainment complexes.
We’ll make planning easier for you. In this nightlife guide, we’ll show you our top picks for the best nightlife spots in St. Pete Beach and Tampa Bay.
It’s just as they say – the night is young, so let’s explore!
The Best Nightlife Spots in St. Pete Beach, FL
Discover the allure of seaside jazz at Jimmy B’s Beach Bar
Up for some good old jazz sounds? Then head to Jimmy B’s Beach Bar, a very laid-back establishment in a resort hotel that features live music every night, as well as a great wooden deck surrounded by palm trees and amazing beach views.
With a rustic and beachy appearance, this is a great place to gather with friends or family, see the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico, and kick off your night in great style. The food and beverage options are superb, and the bars are the best in the region.
They really do take music seriously with not one but two stages, one outside for daytime and early evening performances and one indoors for late-night parties. Oh, this bar was elected the best in Florida twice — need we say more?
Hang out with friendly locals and dive into some games at Swigwam Beach Bar
On the historic Corey Avenue in St Pete Beach, this old-school establishment has been a favorite spot for locals for over two decades. Affectionately known by locals as “Swigs” or “Swigwams,” this place has a long list of your favorite beers and tropical beverages, which you can enjoy in a very laid-back space with pool tables and TVs for sports.
If you’d rather play a game yourself, they offer Golden Tee, Pool, Foosball, Darts, Cornhole, and so on. They have no food options in-house, but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy your late-night snacks! They are okay if you order from their partners at “Grillin N’ Chillin.”
Awesome vibes and an epic atmosphere! With friendly bartenders and a cool local vibe, there’s never a dull moment at Swigwam Beach Bar.
Enjoy live music al fresco with stunning views at Level 11 Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Just a few steps from St. Pete Beach, this stylish rooftop lounge with panoramic views opens daily at 4 pm, allowing you to enjoy the end of your afternoon al fresco and watch the sunset over the sparkling Gulf of Mexico.
The menu is filled with options for shareable plates and refreshing drinks. Food options include a charcuterie board, crab dip, shrimp cocktail, and a tropical fruit platter. The beverage list includes your favorite spirits and brews, most of which are crafted by local artisans.
Towards evening, LED lights will shift on, and the terrace becomes a livelier spot with the sound of live music. There is usually a live DJ and a dance floor, adding to an already cool vibe.
The Best Nightlife Spots in St. Petersburg, FL
Enjoy speakeasy vibes in a nostalgic setting at Ruby’s Elixir
This stylish and refined speakeasy in Downtown St. Petersburg is the longest-running live music venue. Besides offering great jazz, blues, funk, and rock seven days a week, it focuses on creating an awesome environment for people to come together and chat the night away.
The ambiance evokes nostalgia because of its dim lights and an alluring sense of secrecy. It features a stone bar with a wooden top and pin-up art on the walls. There’s a stage inside and an outdoor area with lounge furniture.
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about what they serve. On the menu, you’ll find a great selection of your favorite beverages.
This place feels like a hidden gem, that’s for sure. Still, no matter when you visit, you’ll find plenty of people dancing and having a good time. Ruby’s Elixir is so popular that some even call it “the heartbeat of the Central Avenue block.
Enjoy the kid-friendly setting at Cage Brewing, St.Petersburg
With a lovely octopus painted on its facade (a great photo op!), this microbrewery offers 18 craft beer options on tap across two tap rooms, along with pinball machines, retro video games, foosball tables, and more, all in a super relaxed environment. Oh, they also have Mother Kombucha tea on tap!
The service is great and friendly. For food, they partner with Kraken Joe’s. Their pizza and meatballs are some of the favorite options — and you can ask to replace your cheese with vegan cheese in the pizza if you wish.
There’s a fantastic outdoor area with picnic tables where they often host live music performances, and food trucks frequently park nearby. Sometimes they even host outdoor market events. The environment is very kid-friendly — so the little ones can stay up a little past their bedtime (it’s okay, just this once).
Mingle with locals to live music just a few steps from the beach at Ka’tiki
Located on Sunset Beach and just steps from the shore, Ka’tiki takes its name from the thatched tiki hut covering the patio area. This has been one of the favorite beach bars for locals since the early ’80s because it simply offers a super fun environment.
Despite the tropical vibes, the menu is pub-like, with all the beverage options you’d expect, as well as bites like sandwiches and wings. You can watch sports games on the TVs, and live music also takes place every day of the week, spanning rock, blues, reggae, R&B, acoustic, and more. Artists flock from the area, but also from other parts of the country. Staff and patrons are so welcoming that they say if you’re not a local, you’ll surely leave Ka’tiki feeling like you are!
Enjoy a patio surrounded by tropical foliage at Ricky T’s Bar & Grille
Want more casual beach vibes? Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Ricky T’s Bar & Grille, or simply Ricky’s as locals call it, is another place to check out.
This restaurant bar spot serves food and drinks all day and has a great live music schedule, featuring musicians from around and beyond. Surrounded by tropical foliage and covered with umbrellas and fans, the outdoor patio with wooden tables is a great space to spend some time, especially at night when they put on the colorful lights and the live music starts to stir things up.
The menu of beverages is diverse. Drinks are ice-cold (always welcomed in the Florida heat), and service is top-notch! Bites include lots of seafood options, such as a shrimp basket, fish tacos, and a fish sandwich, and they even have great options for seafood pizza.
Game lover? You can watch sports on huge flat-screen HD TVs. No matter what time of day you visit, you’ll find a great atmosphere and experience!
The Best Nightlife Spots in Madeira Beach, FL
Try seafood delights and listen to great DJ grooves at Bamboo Beach Bar and Grill
One of the oldest bars along the Suncoast, Bamboo Beach Bar and Grill, or simply “Bamboo,” boasts an alluring setting with a tiki bar, umbrellas, and other beach-related decorations, all very lively and fun.
They offer live entertainment with DJs, live bands, and singers as well as daily drink specials. You’ll find all of your favorite drink options on the menu, and edibles include all-time favorites like fish tacos, smoked fish spread, burgers, and mini crab cakes. Most items come at very reasonable prices. The crowd is fun and the staff is incredibly friendly. You’ll likely have a ball!
The Best Nightlife Spots in Indian Rocks Beach, FL
Dance under the moonlight on the outside patio at JD’s Restaurant and Lounge
A staple in Indian Rocks Beach for almost 40 years, JD’s Restaurant and Lounge is a casual spot featuring a piano bar and dance floor inside, as well as a patio with another bar outside. The décor is great, with lots of funny signs and food specials hanging everywhere.
This family-run establishment is famous for its steaks and seafood options. Locals in the area go there to listen and dance to some good live music, which is offered daily. Whenever you’re in town, make sure to check their specials; for instance, Tuesdays are margarita and taco night.
With live music day and night on the patio bar and inside the piano bar, excitement is always on the menu. The crowd is always lively, the music is always on point, and the service is excellent. In a nutshell, it’s a great place to enjoy Florida’s warm nights and dance under the moonlight.
Discover the Vibrant Nightlife of St. Pete Beach and the Tampa Bay Area
As you can see, St. Pete Beach and the Tampa Bay Area offer an exciting variety of places to enjoy the night away! When planning your trip to this wonderful coastal region, it’s a great idea to check an up-to-date guide for the best nightlife activities along St. Pete Beach and the Tampa Bay Area.
New spots continually pop up all the time, many introducing fresh concepts and providing great opportunities to connect with locals for a memorable night out.
Where to stay when visiting St. Pete Beach and the Tampa Bay Area?
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