12 EPIC Things to Do in Clearwater at Night (Local Party Guide!)

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Forget what you heard about Florida beach towns dying after sunset. Clearwater’s actually firing on all cylinders once the sun dips into the Gulf! The beach strip transforms from sunburned tourists to this laid-back scene where you can grab a grouper sandwich with sand still between your toes.

Want the best things to do in Clearwater at night? I’ll show you why this spot holds its own against Tampa’s party scene. From sunset cruises that aren’t tourist traps to beachfront bars where you’ll want to hang out, this Florida gem knows how to keep the good vibes rolling.

• 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend this floating tiki bar cruise at Clearwater Beach! They take you out on the Gulf for private cocktails and epic views, plus swimming stops and marine life spotting away from the tourist boats. You also get to blast your own music while cruising Florida’s coast with just your small group. This tiki boat experience is absolutely a must-do on a Clearwater itinerary in my opinion.

Best Things to Do in Clearwater at Night (Updated 2025)

Are you ready to explore the most unique things to do in Clearwater at nighttime? As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of exciting activities in Clearwater after dark. Keep reading to find where to go in Clearwater at night!

1. Party at Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar

Shephard’s Tiki Beach Bar on Clearwater Beach is honestly where you want to be if you’re looking for that classic Florida beach bar energy. The place has been winning “Top Florida Beach Bar” awards for years, and it’s not hard to see why. They’ve got live music starting around 2pm most days and going until close, with everything from reggae bands to actual DJs spinning electronic music.

I’ve been here during both chill afternoons and wild Saturday nights, and the vibe totally transforms after dark. The dance floor gets packed, and you’re literally dancing with sand between your toes and the Gulf of Mexico right behind you. The bar stays open until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 2am on weekends – which is perfect because the party really gets going around 10pm.

Food-wise, don’t expect anything fancy, but the grouper tacos and buffalo shrimp are actually pretty solid for bar food. Drinks run about $8-12 for cocktails, and they make a mean rum runner. The crowd is usually a mix of tourists and locals, and it gets pretty rowdy on weekends. Fair warning: parking can be a nightmare, but they do have valet if you don’t mind spending the extra cash.

2. Take a dinner cruise on the Calypso Queen

The Calypso Queen isn’t your typical tourist trap dinner cruise. It’s actually a pretty fun time if you know what you’re getting into. This 65-foot triple-deck boat takes you around Clearwater Harbor for about 2 hours, and the evening dinner cruise includes a Caribbean-style buffet plus unlimited beer, wine, and rum punch for around $40 per person.

I’ll be honest, the food isn’t going to blow you away, but it’s way better than I expected. They’ve got mango glazed chicken, beef teriyaki, steamed shrimp, and all the usual suspects. The real draw is cruising around the harbor while a DJ plays everything from Jimmy Buffett to current hits, and people actually get up and dance on the deck.

The boat runs every night from Clearwater Beach Marina (Slip 52), and you need to show up 30 minutes early for boarding. Pro tip: grab a spot on the upper deck for the best views, but bring a light jacket because it gets breezy out there. Don’t forget they charge $3 for parking at the marina, which seems petty but whatever. The afternoon lunch cruises are more mellow if you’re not into the party scene, running about $30 with the same drink package.

3. Watch sunset and street performers at Pier 60

Pier 60 is where Clearwater Beach shows off, and honestly, it lives up to the hype. The free Sunsets at Pier 60 festival happens every single night, starting 2 hours before sunset and going until 2 hours after. You’ll find street performers from all over – fire breathers, musicians, magicians, and artists selling handmade stuff.

The sunset views are legitimately spectacular, especially if you pay the $1 to walk out to the end of the pier past the bait shop. I’ve seen people get genuinely emotional watching the sun drop into the Gulf of Mexico, and the crowd always breaks into applause when it disappears. It’s touristy as hell, but in the best possible way.

Beyond the sunset, there’s a playground for kids, an inflatable water slide called “The Hippo,” and usually 30+ vendors selling everything from jewelry to t-shirts. The fishing is actually decent too – $10 gets you access to fish all day, and the bait shop rents rods if you need them. Fair warning: parking is $3-4 per hour and fills up fast, so get there early or be prepared to walk from further away. The whole thing is free though, which is pretty amazing for such a popular attraction.

• Read next: Free Attractions in Florida

4. Eat dinner under the stars at Clear Sky Café

Clear Sky Café just reopened after getting completely rebuilt following the hurricane damage, and they’ve honestly made it even better than before. Located half a block from Clearwater Beach, this place is where locals actually go for good food instead of just tourist traps.

I’ve eaten here probably a dozen times, and their grouper dishes are consistently excellent – try the blackened grouper with risotto or the fish tacos. The menu is pretty extensive with everything from tapas to gourmet burgers, and they do breakfast all day until noon (1pm on weekends). Their outdoor patio is perfect for dinner, especially when they have live music, which is most nights.

The place is open 7am to 11pm Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on weekends. Reservations are definitely recommended for dinner because it gets packed, especially during sunset. Prices are reasonable for the beach – most entrees run $16-26, and their cocktails are actually creative instead of just basic beach drinks. I always get the key lime pie for dessert because it’s made in-house and ridiculously good. The service can be a bit slow when they’re busy, but the staff is friendly and they clearly take pride in the food quality.

5. Relax by the beach bonfire at Sandpearl Resort

The nightly bonfire at Sandpearl Resort is one of those simple pleasures that makes Clearwater Beach special. They light it up every evening right on the beach in front of their Tate Island Grill, and it’s open to the public – you don’t have to be staying at the resort.

I love coming here after dinner because it’s way more chill than the party scene at other beach bars. You can grab drinks from the bar and sit in the beach chairs around the fire, watching the waves roll in. Sometimes they have acoustic musicians playing, which adds to the whole laid-back vibe. It’s also a great spot for families since kids love roasting s’mores (they sell kits for a few bucks).

The resort itself is gorgeous – definitely the nicest property on the beach – and their umbrella rentals are $30 if you want shade during the day. The bonfire usually gets going around sunset and burns until late, weather permitting. Pro tip: if you’re hungry, their grouper nuggets from the grill are actually amazing, and way better than most beach food. The whole experience feels more upscale than your typical beach bonfire, which is exactly what you want sometimes.

6. Play arcade games and go-karts at Celebration Station

Celebration Station is pure nostalgic fun, and it’s perfect when you want to do something different after dark in Clearwater. This family entertainment center has go-kart racing under the lights, which is honestly way more exciting than it sounds. The track is decent-sized and they let you race multiple times if you buy packages.

The arcade is huge with both classic games and newer stuff, plus they have laser tag, mini golf, and batting cages. I usually end up spending way too much time playing skeeball and those basketball shooting games. The mini golf course is actually pretty well-designed with fun obstacles, and it’s lit up for night play.

Food-wise, it’s typical arcade fare – pizza, nachos, chicken tenders – but it’s better than expected and reasonably priced. They often have group packages and birthday party deals if you’re planning something special. The place stays open late on weekends, and it’s a good option when the beach bars get too crowded or if you have kids in tow. I’ve brought dates here before and they’ve always had fun, especially with the laser tag. It’s cheesy in the best way possible.

7. Try indoor surfing at Surf Style’s FlowRider

The FlowRider at Surf Style is basically artificial surfing, and it’s way cooler than it sounds. This indoor wave machine lets you bodyboard or surfboard on a continuous sheet of water flowing over a curved surface. I was skeptical at first, but it’s actually addictive once you get the hang of it.

They have instructors on hand to help beginners, which you’ll definitely need for the first few tries. Even if you’re a decent surfer, this takes some getting used to because the wave is constant and you can’t paddle out for another one. The good news is you can practice tricks and maneuvers without worrying about sharks or jellyfish.

The facility is climate-controlled, so it’s perfect for hot summer nights or when it’s raining. Sessions run about $20-30 for 30 minutes, and they have packages if you want longer. There’s a viewing area with seating, so it’s fun to watch even if you’re not riding. I’d recommend wearing board shorts and a rash guard because you will wipe out multiple times. The staff is usually young and enthusiastic, and they’ll cheer you on when you actually manage to stay up for more than 3 seconds.

8. Take the Haunted Clearwater trolley tour

The Haunted Clearwater Trolley Tour is surprisingly entertaining, even if you’re not big on ghost stories. This guided tour takes you around Clearwater’s most allegedly haunted spots while sharing local history and supernatural tales. The trolley itself is atmospheric, and the guides really commit to the spooky theme.

I’ve done this tour twice with different groups, and it’s always been fun. You’ll stop at old buildings, historic sites, and places where weird stuff supposedly happened. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories are interesting and you learn quite a bit about Clearwater’s history that you wouldn’t get elsewhere.

The tour runs about 90 minutes and costs around $25-30 per person. They usually run multiple tours per night, especially on weekends, and you can book online through TripAdvisor or other tour sites. I’d recommend the later tours for maximum spooky atmosphere. The trolley makes several stops where you can get out and explore, which beats just driving around listening to stories. Fair warning: some of the ghost stories are pretty cheesy, but the guides are entertaining and clearly enjoy what they’re doing.

9. Grab seafood and drinks at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is a Clearwater Beach institution, and their location right on the sand makes it perfect for night dining. This place has been around forever, and they’ve got the whole casual beach restaurant thing down to a science. The outdoor seating puts you practically on the beach, and they often have live music that creates a perfect soundtrack for dinner.

Their grouper sandwich is legendary – I’ve probably eaten 50 of them over the years and it’s consistently good. The she-crab soup is also excellent, and their key lime pie is the real deal. They do solid fish tacos, blackened dolphin, and pretty much any local seafood you want. Prices are reasonable for being right on the beach – most entrees run $15-25.

The bar makes strong tropical drinks, and their happy hour specials are actually worth it. I love coming here around sunset because you can watch the sky change colors while eating dinner. The service is usually quick and friendly, though it can get crazy busy during peak season. Weekend nights often have live bands, and the vibe gets more energetic as the evening goes on. It’s touristy but in a good way – this is exactly what you want from a Florida beach restaurant.

10. Catch live shows at Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater is a legitimate cultural gem that most beach visitors completely miss. This historic venue books everything from touring comedians to rock concerts to classic films, and it’s way more intimate than the big amphitheaters. The acoustics are excellent and there’s really no bad seat in the house.

I’ve seen comedy shows, tribute bands, and even some indie films here. The programming is surprisingly diverse – one week it might be a Beatles tribute band, the next a stand-up comedian you’ve seen on Netflix. Ticket prices are usually very reasonable, typically $20-40 depending on the show. The beautiful mural outside is worth seeing even if you don’t catch a show.

The theater is in Clearwater’s downtown arts district, which has been getting better in recent years. There are several good restaurants and bars within walking distance, so you can easily make a night of it. Parking is usually free in the area after business hours, which is a nice change from the beach. I’d recommend checking their website regularly because they sometimes get surprisingly big names for such a small venue. It’s a nice break from the beach scene and shows that Clearwater has more to offer than just sand and surf.

11. Go stargazing on Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach offers some surprisingly good stargazing once you get away from the main tourist areas. The best spots are north or south of the main pier area, where the light pollution is less intense. I like to walk down to the quieter stretches of beach with a blanket and just look up.

You won’t see as many stars as you would in the middle of nowhere, but it’s still pretty impressive on clear nights. The beach faces west, so you get an unobstructed view of the night sky once the sunset crowds clear out. I’ve spotted shooting stars, satellites, and various constellations from the beach. Bring a star chart app on your phone to help identify what you’re looking at.

The best time is usually after 10pm when most of the beach activities wind down. Full moon nights are obviously brighter but less ideal for seeing faint stars. New moon periods offer the darkest skies if you’re serious about astronomy. Sometimes local astronomy groups set up telescopes on the beach for public viewing, which is pretty cool when it happens. It’s free, peaceful, and a nice way to decompress after a busy day. Just remember to bring bug spray and a comfortable chair or blanket.

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12. Drink with harbor views at Jimmy’s Crows Nest

Jimmy’s Crows Nest on the 10th floor of Pier House 60 has hands-down the best views in Clearwater Beach. This rooftop bar offers 270-degree panoramas of the Gulf, the marina, and the beach, and they do a sunset celebration every single night with a free shot when the sun goes down.

I come here regularly because the views never get old, and it’s got a more upscale vibe than most beach bars without being pretentious. The cocktails are well-made (try the rum runners or frozen margaritas), and their Iguana Pretzel appetizer is actually really good. They’re open noon to 11pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 1am on weekends.

The sunset celebration is definitely touristy, but it’s fun. Everyone gathers on the west side to watch the sun disappear, and when it does, the bartenders hand out free shots. The crowd cheers, takes photos, and it’s genuinely a good time. After sunset, the vibe gets more relaxed and you can actually have conversations without shouting. Service is usually solid, though it can take a while to get drinks during the sunset rush. Pro tip: arrive 30 minutes before sunset to get a good spot at the railing. The elevator ride up gives you a preview of how spectacular the views are going to be.