12 EPIC Things to Do in Long Island at Night (Better Than NYC!)

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I used to think Long Island nightlife meant overpriced cocktails in the Hamptons or falling asleep on the LIRR after a day in Manhattan. Plot twist: turns out this stretch of beaches and suburbs knows how to party! From waterfront bars where you can watch boats glide by with a local IPA in hand, to summer night beach bonfires that definitely aren’t technically allowed (but everyone does anyway).

Looking for the best things to do in Long Island at night? Whether you’re catching live music in a converted speakeasy or food-hopping through Little India in Hicksville, the ‘burbs aren’t boring after dark. And the best part? You won’t have to sell a kidney to afford a night out like you do in the city.

• 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this insider tour of Long Island’s North Fork! They take you to hidden gem vineyards and local foodie spots tourists never find, plus all your tastings, meals and transport are included. You also get exclusive access to the region’s best wines with guides who know every secret spot. This wine-country adventure is a must-do on a Long Island itinerary in my opinion.

Best Things to Do in Long Island at Night (2025 Guide)

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

1. Catch live music at The Paramount

The Paramount in Huntington is honestly way better than I expected for a suburban venue. This 1,500-seat theater books seriously good acts – I’ve seen everything from indie bands to comedy legends here, and the sound quality is actually incredible. Tickets typically run $50-150 depending on the act, which is pretty reasonable compared to NYC venues.

The coolest part? The venue has this 1920s speakeasy vibe with VIP rooms that actually feel special, not just overpriced. I always grab dinner beforehand at one of the nearby spots on New York Avenue – there’s solid Italian and some decent bars within walking distance. The theater itself is intimate enough that even cheap seats feel close to the action.

Shows usually start around 8pm, and parking is free which is clutch. Just get there early because the lot fills up fast for popular acts. Pro tip: if you’re driving from the city, it’s way easier to get to than most Manhattan venues and you won’t blow your budget on drinks.

2. Visit Fire Island Lighthouse after dark

Fire Island Lighthouse hits different at night, trust me on this. The lighthouse itself closes around sunset (tower tours are $10 for adults during the day), but the grounds stay accessible and that’s when the magic happens. I camped overnight at Watch Hill campsite once and seeing the lighthouse illuminated against the star-filled sky was honestly breathtaking.

The walk from Robert Moses Field 5 parking ($8 in season) takes about 15 minutes on the boardwalk, and it’s perfectly safe at night. You’ll hear the ocean crashing and see the lighthouse beacon rotating every few seconds. The Fire Island National Seashore doesn’t technically allow overnight stays unless you’re camping, but evening visits until around 10pm are totally fine.

What’s really cool is how quiet it gets after the day crowds leave. I brought a blanket and just sat on the beach listening to the waves – it’s like having your own private lighthouse experience. The Preservation Society sometimes does special evening events too, so check their website before you go.

• Read next: Best Areas to Stay in New York City

3. Go wine tasting at Pellegrini Vineyards

Pellegrini Vineyards stays open until 5pm daily, which gives you time for a late afternoon tasting that can stretch into evening. Their basic tasting is around $8 for three 1-ounce pours, but honestly the flight option ($30) is way better value. I always go straight for their BBQ Red – it’s this chilled red that’s perfect if you’re not usually a red wine person.

The vineyard has this massive cathedral-style tasting room that doesn’t feel stuffy like some places. You can actually wander around the cellars and hang out in their outdoor courtyard if the weather’s nice. I’ve done their private tastings in the Vintner’s Room for special occasions and it’s worth the splurge if you’re trying to impress someone.

What makes Pellegrini special is they’ve been doing this since 1991, so they actually know what they’re doing. The staff won’t give you pretentious wine talk – they’ll just pour good wine and tell you what makes it special. Their Finale Ice Wine is $40 but seriously good if you want something different.

4. Stargaze at Custer Observatory

Custer Observatory in Southold is where you go when you want to see space properly. They’re open select nights for public viewing (check their website because schedules vary), and it’s completely free which is awesome. I went on a clear Saturday night and saw Saturn’s rings through their telescopes – genuinely mind-blowing stuff.

The volunteer astronomers who run this place are total nerds in the best way. They’ll spend forever explaining what you’re looking at and won’t make you feel dumb for asking basic questions. The observatory has several powerful telescopes set up, so you’re not just squinting through one tiny eyepiece all night.

Long Island‘s light pollution isn’t great, but Custer Observatory is positioned well enough that you can still see incredible stuff on clear nights. I’ve spotted distant galaxies, Jupiter’s moons, and star clusters I’d never noticed before. Just dress warm because it gets cold standing around outside, and bring a red flashlight if you have one – regular lights mess with your night vision.

• Read next: Epic Things to Do in New York City at Night

5. Take a moonlit kayak tour on Peconic River

Long Island Canoe Kayak Rentals does these moonlight tours that are legitimately magical. The tours cost $63 per person (they only run about four times per season), and you need some paddling experience since you’re kayaking in the dark. I was skeptical at first, but paddling down the Peconic River with just headlamps and moonlight was incredible.

The river comes alive at night in ways you don’t expect during day trips. We saw more wildlife than any daytime paddle I’ve done – herons fishing, turtles surfacing, and the water was so still it felt like gliding through glass. The guides provide headlamps and glow lights for the kayaks, so you’re not totally in the dark.

You meet at Treasure Cove Resort Marina behind the Hyatt Place in Riverhead. The whole experience takes about 90 minutes, and they require a two-person minimum. Book early because these tours fill up fast – there’s seriously nothing else like paddling under the stars on Long Island. Just bring a towel and change of clothes because you will get a little wet.

6. See a show at Bay Street Theater

Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor is legitimately good theater. Not just “good for the suburbs” but actually good. This 299-seat venue gets quality productions that’d fit right in off-Broadway. Their 2025 season kicks off with “Bob & Jean: A True Love Story” in late May, followed by some seriously interesting shows through the summer.

I love how intimate this place feels – there really aren’t any bad seats, and you feel connected to what’s happening on stage. Ticket prices vary by show but expect to pay $40-80, which is reasonable for the quality. The theater sits right on Long Wharf, so you can grab dinner at one of Sag Harbor‘s waterfront restaurants before the show.

What makes Bay Street special is they balance classics with new work really well. I’ve seen everything from Arthur Miller plays to contemporary comedies here, and the acting is consistently solid. Parking in Sag Harbor can be tricky on summer weekends, so give yourself extra time or just park a few blocks away and walk – the town is tiny and totally walkable.

7. Walk the Long Beach Boardwalk at night

Long Beach Boardwalk transforms after dark into something actually pretty magical. The streetlights create this soft glow, and hearing the waves crash while you walk is genuinely relaxing. I’ve done this walk dozens of times and it never gets old – it’s like having the beach to yourself once the day crowds clear out.

The boardwalk stretches for miles, so you can make it as long or short as you want. There are still a few cafes open in the evening during summer, and sometimes you’ll catch street performers doing their thing. The Shoregasboard Food Truck Market operates seasonally if you want to grab food, but honestly the simple pleasure of walking and listening to the ocean is enough.

What’s cool is how different Long Beach feels at night versus during the day. During the day it’s packed with families and beach-goers, but at night it’s mostly couples and people who just want to chill by the water. I always park near Long Beach Historical & Preservation Society and walk from there – parking is free after hours which is a nice bonus.

8. Attend concerts at Jones Beach Bandshell

The Jones Beach Bandshell hosts free concerts throughout the summer, mostly Monday nights plus some weekends. I’ve caught everything from classic rock tribute bands to local jazz groups here, and the setting is unbeatable – you’re literally listening to music with the ocean as your backdrop.

The bandshell sits right on the Jones Beach boardwalk, so you can park at Field 4 (free for bandshell events) and walk over. Shows typically start around 7:30pm and run until 9:30 or 10pm. I always bring a beach chair or blanket because the ground seating fills up fast for popular acts.

What makes this special is the community vibe – families spread out with picnics, couples dancing on the sand, and everyone just enjoying music by the beach. The sound quality is surprisingly good for an outdoor venue, and being right on the water means there’s usually a nice breeze even on hot nights. They also do movie nights on select dates, which is pretty cool if you want something different than your typical theater experience.

• Read next: Magical Spots in Long Island

9. Take a sunset sailing cruise in Montauk

Sail Montauk does these sunset cruises that are way better than the touristy boat tours you see everywhere else. Their moonlight cruises start around $75 per person and include wine, which makes it feel more like an actual experience than just a boat ride. I’ve done this twice and both times saw incredible sunsets over Montauk‘s coastline.

The best part is how intimate these cruises feel – they keep groups small, so you’re not packed onto some massive party boat. The crew actually knows what they’re doing and will point out interesting stuff like seal colonies or historic lighthouses. Sometimes you’ll spot dolphins or other marine life, which always makes the trip feel special.

Montauk itself is worth exploring before or after your cruise. The area around Montauk Harbor has some solid restaurants and bars, and the whole scene feels more authentic than a lot of Long Island‘s touristy spots. Just book in advance during summer because these cruises sell out, especially weekends. The whole experience takes about 2-3 hours, and seeing the sun set over the water from a sailboat is genuinely magical.

10. Bar hop on Patchogue’s Main Street

Patchogue’s Main Street has become this surprisingly good bar scene that most people don’t know about. Start at Locale Gastro Bar & Pizzette for dinner – their wood-fired pizzas are legit and the atmosphere gets pretty lively as the night goes on. From there, you can hit several bars without having to drive or deal with parking headaches.

That Meetball Place is another solid stop if you want something more casual. Their whole concept sounds gimmicky but the food’s actually good, and they usually have a decent crowd. The cool thing about Main Street is everything’s walkable, so you can bar hop without worrying about getting home safely.

I’ve found the whole Patchogue scene attracts a good mix of locals and people from surrounding areas – it’s not just college kids or just middle-aged suburbanites. The bars stay open later than you’d expect for Long Island, and there’s usually live music at least one or two places on weekends. It’s become my go-to spot when I want a night out but don’t want to deal with NYC or Huntington crowds.

11. Experience night events at Cradle of Aviation Museum

The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City does special evening events that are actually pretty cool. Their planetarium shows run throughout the year and are way more interesting than you’d expect – I saw one about black holes that was genuinely mind-blowing. Regular planetarium admission is around $15-20 depending on the show.

They also host astronomy nights where you can use telescopes to look at real stars and planets, not just planetarium projections. These events usually happen monthly and cost about the same as planetarium shows. What’s neat is seeing all the aircraft and spacecraft exhibits under different lighting – the whole museum feels different at night.

The museum stays open until 5pm most days, but their special evening events can run until 9 or 10pm. I always check their calendar before planning a visit because the evening programming varies by season. It’s definitely not just a kids’ museum – I’ve learned stuff about aviation and space that I actually found interesting, and the planetarium shows are legitimately impressive for Long Island.

12. Stargaze at Montauk Point State Park

Montauk Point State Park is hands down the best stargazing spot on Long Island. The Montauk Point Lighthouse creates this iconic silhouette against the night sky, and being at the easternmost tip means way less light pollution than anywhere else on the island. I’ve spent entire nights here just lying on a blanket looking up at stars you never see in the suburbs.

The park technically closes at sunset, but the lighthouse and immediate area stay accessible for evening visits. Parking costs $8 during the day but it’s free after hours. The walk from the parking area to the lighthouse takes about 10 minutes, and there are plenty of good spots to set up along the way.

What makes Montauk Point special for stargazing is how dark it gets once you’re away from the lighthouse beam. I’ve seen the Milky Way clearly from here, which is pretty rare for Long Island. Just bring warm clothes because it gets windy and cold at night, even in summer. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks below adds this perfect soundtrack to the whole experience – it’s honestly the best way to end any Long Island night adventure.