Galveston is both a family-friendly beach destination and a fun and lively spot for a getaway with friends or a partner. The island doesn’t go to sleep once the sun goes down there, there are plenty of bars, pubs, and non-drinking late-night things to do in Galveston.
While a lot of the action centers around the Strand District and the Seawall, you’ll also find lots of chill little dives scattered around the island. Whether you’re looking for the top bars in Galveston or other fun activities to do after dark with your crew, we’ve rounded up some of the best Galveston nightlife spots below to explore when staying at a beachfront vacation home!
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is one of the best family-friendly things to do after dark on the island. The amusement park stretches out over the Gulf waters and is, full of midway games, places to eat, and fun rides for all ages.
The opening hours vary greatly by time of the year, but during the spring and summer, it typically has late-night hours on the weekends.
O’Malley’s Stage Door
The pub scene on the island is perfect for Galveston nightlife, and O’Malley’s Stage Door is one of the best spots for drinks and a lively atmosphere. The Irish-style bar is known for its 100-plus different bottled beers and deli sandwiches. You can also play darts and pool while you hang out.
The pub is located in the heart of Downtown Galveston on Postoffice Street and stays open until 2am most nights.
The Spot Galveston
Photo Credit: The Spot
Located on the Seawall just across the street from the beach, The Spot has five restaurants and bars in one tropical-style venue with beachfront views. Arrive for dinner, and you’ll be able to try the restaurant’s signature burgers and locally caught seafood platters.
For Galveston nightlife, head to one of the four themed bars here — Squeeze for margaritas and tequila drinks, Tiki Bar or SideYard for craft beers and cocktails, and Rum Shack for mojitos, pina coladas, mai tais, and more.
Buckshot Saloon
Grab your cowboy boots and head on over to Buckshot Saloon for a true Texas experience. The country bar, music venue, and dance hall feature live bands, line dancing, mechanical bull rides, karaoke, and more Galveston nightlife fun.
You can catch the country tunes and toe-tapping each Thursday through Saturday until 2am The venue is located on Market Street, just a couple of blocks from the Strand Historic District.
The Proletariat
If you’re looking for a classy venue to enjoy the Galveston nightlife, look no further than The Proletariat Gallery and Public House. The space is part exhibit, part bar, with a focus on enhancing the art scene in Galveston.
Located in a restored loft from the 1890s, the Proletariat has a rotating gallery that highlights local and visiting artists, open mic poetry nights, a hang-out space with cards and board games, and a bar with craft beers, wine, espresso drinks, and more. The Proletariat is located on Market Street in historic Downtown Galveston.
Magic Carpet Golf
Photo Credit: Galveston.com
Magic Carpet Golf is just the spot for a fun putt-putt date night in Galveston. The facility has a pair of mini-golf courses on Seawall Blvd, with views of the beach and Gulf across the road.
Palm trees, sea creatures, and other fun islandy figures decorate the 18-hole greens. The facility is family-friendly and open until 10 pm most nights for mini golf after dark.
Albatross
A full-service dive bar downtown, the Albatross is the perfect spot for a casual night out with drinks in Galveston. The hole-in-the-wall joint offers a classic indoor bar with a pool table and an outdoor lawn with seating for breezy island nights.
The Albatross stays open until 2 am most nights and also has a sister property, the Island Pier Club, just a block off the Seawall.
Ghost Tours
If you’re looking for something unique to do at night in Galveston, ghost tours are a fun way to learn more about the island’s history and paranormal activity. There are several different Galveston ghost tours to pick from, including spooky downtown walking tours of The Strand and cemetery tours.
The Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl combines a ghost tour with Galveston nightlife, visiting bars and restaurants where you can drink with the spirits.
Daiquiri Time Out
Photo Credit: Daiquiri Time Out
Craft cocktails and weekday happy hours are the vibe at Daiquiri Time Out. The downtown bar on Market Street stays open until 2am on weekends and serves island-style favorites like pina coladas, mai tais, and a tangy Paloma.
The trendy bar is also known for its changing seasonal menu of creative drinks. During the holidays, for instance, you can order a Jingle Bells Nog that jazzes up an eggnog recipe with cognac and cream sherry or a Christmaspolitan twist on a classic cosmopolitan.
The Poop Deck Club
Named for an aft deck part of a ship, the Poop Deck Club in Galveston is a casual beach bar on the Seawall, less than half a mile from the Pleasure Pier. The two-story pub has major island vibes, with nautical decor and a deck that looks out over the sand.
The bar is open until 2am throughout the week, so it’s an ideal Galveston nightlife spot for late drinks with a Gulf breeze.
23rd Street Station Piano Bar
Looking for a spot to catch live music in Galveston? Head to the 23rd Street Station Piano Bar on Wednesday through Sunday nights for live performances. The full-service bar on Avenue O also hosts a happy hour in the early evening and special themes like ladies’ nights, country western nights, and sing-alongs.
Float Pool and Patio Bar
Photo Credit: Float Pool and Patio Bar
One of the top spots to hang out at night on the Seawall, Float Pool and Patio Bar features a swim-up bar, live music, and DJs just across the street from the beach. The venue is open from the afternoon through late night, so you can come early for tacos or burgers with happy hour drink specials or late to dance the night away with a Bahama Mama in hand.
Sound Bar
You can sing your heart out every night at Sound Bar, Galveston’s most popular karaoke lounge. Grab a drink from the full bar before hitting the stage to belt out from a selection of more than 125,000 songs. This is one of the most fun and lively Galveston nightlife spots open late throughout the week.
Axecade Galveston
Photo Credit: Axecade
Looking to mix some fun and games into your night out in Galveston? Axecade is the perfect spot. Part bar, part arcade, the venue is best known for its ax-throwing games that bring out your inner lumberjack. You can also join in on beer pong, play classic arcade games, hit the dance floor, or have a craft cocktail on a balcony overlooking The Strand.
Envy Dance Club
Dance the night away at Envy, one of the top Galveston nightlife spots on The Strand. The nightclub has a dance floor, VIP zones, and a DJ spinning a combo of current hits and retro mixes. The bar is open on weekends until 2am.
Stay and Revel in the Galveston Nightlife
The fun doesn’t end in Galveston when the sun sets over the Gulf Sea. The island springs to life at night with lively dance clubs, friendly bars, and unique experiences like ghost tours and ax throwing games. Whether you plan to stay out late dancing or grab a drink and enjoy the sea breezes, you can be sure your cozy Galveston vacation home is ready and waiting after a night out.
Sand N’ Sea’s vacation rentals range from cozy bungalows for couples to spacious beach houses for large groups. Book yours today!
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