The Ultimate Guide To Cocoa Beach Nightlife: Best Bars, Clubs, Entertainment, Late Night Food & More!

Wandering our World is reader supported! If you purchase anything through a link on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Last updated on May 25, 2023 by Wandering our World

When we think of Cocoa Beach, Florida, we think of sandy white beaches, rolling surf breaks, easy beach living and that’s without even mentioning those iconic rocket launches you can watch from the pier.  It is truly one of the Space Coast’s quintessential beach towns. 

Renowned for sun, surf, and fun, it’s a must on anyone’s list if you’re looking for that perfect beach break.  Whether you have been relaxing on the beach, surfing, kayaking, or simply spending a day exploring this fabulous beach town, it’s time to get ready for Cocoa Beach’s nightlife. 

We can’t think of a better way than kicking off the evening with sundowners, followed by the perfect dinner before partying the night away at one of the many bars with their live entertainment and DJs to get you in the mood. 

As we know this place so well, we’ll share with you the best places to enjoy Cocoa Beach nightlife. We’ll show you the best bars, nightclubs, live music joints, restaurants, happy hours, and even where to grab late night food. Partyon!

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Fabio Principe

Cocoa Beach Nightlife: The Best Cocoa Beach Bars and Clubs

Cocoa Beach has a wide choice when it comes to bars, and you will be forgiven for at times thinking you have miraculously been transported to a totally different country.  One minute you are drinking in a beach bar and the next in a quintessential English pub!

You won’t find a host of traditional nightclubs in Cocoa Beach but that doesn’t mean you can’t dance the night away.

You will find incredible live bands and DJs at many of the local spots in Cocoa Beach. In fact don’t be surprised to find yourself partying at the very spots you relaxed at during the day. As laid-back beachside bars here often morph into lively party spots as the night goes on.

And if you end up regretting visiting too many of our favorite Cocoa Beach clubs and bars, then make sure you check out our recommendations – in this previous article – on the best places for brunch and breakfast at the beach!

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Drazen Zigic

1. Coconuts on the Beach

You simply can’t go to Cocoa Beach without going to Coconuts on the Beach. This is the epitome of a beach bar – refreshing cocktails, great food, live music topped with breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean – we don’t think there is much else you could ask for.

When it comes to food you can’t beat their sandwiches and burgers.  The Beach Burger is ½ lb Angus beef served with your choice of sides or their Mahi Sandwich – 8oz of fillet either grilled, blackened, or jerked.

Aside from their extensive wine list, they have an amazing drinks menu offering a variety of cocktails, frocktails, drafts, and pitchers.  The Creamy Cocorita is one of our favorites – Coconut Tequila with a margarita and coconut cream mixer. Or try the Beach Bae Watch, a mixture of Captain Morgan with pineapple and cranberry juice, while watching the waves from their outside patio.

Coconuts on the Beach closes around 10:00 pm most nights bar Friday and Saturday where they stay open until 11:00 pm. And don’t miss out on their Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. They often have live music too, so keep an eye out! This is a great place to start any Cocoa Beach nightlife adventure.

Address: 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/iMaximFesenko

2. Rikki Tiki Tavern

This just has to be the best spot in all of Cocoa Beach. Why? Well you can find Rikki’s at the end of Cocoa Beach’s 800-foot-long pier!

Enjoy this open-air cocktail bar and restaurant directly above the ocean.  The spectacular ocean views are guaranteed to leave you so breathless you might just forget to order. This cocktail bar is the perfect spot for sundowners or late-night drinks to the sounds of the ocean.

Their drink menu is full of handcrafted specialty cocktails like the Bahama Mama, made with Coconut Rum, Calypso Spiced Rum, and tropical juice. Or try the Caribbean Hurricane, made with Passionfruit Rum and Light Rum with tropical juice and Grenadine.

But you simply cannot leave Rikki’s without having had their Pier Punch. This one is made with 4 parts of rum (Coconut, Passionfruit, Mango, and Pineapple) along with tropical juice and Grenadine. And to top it all off, it’s served over ice in a 32oz souvenir bucket. That’s some way to start your Cocoa Beach nightlife adventure.

After all that you may need food. We think its best to go for their “Handhelds” on the menu. We recommend the Pier Burger, a special blend of brisket, short rib and chuck make this one of the juiciest flavor-filled double patty burgers on the beach. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions on a freshly baked brioche roll.

Another firm favorite is the Florida Gator Melt. Think of a local Florida gator tail that has been tenderized, seasoned and ground into patties. It is then grilled and topped with your choice of cheese and their house-made dragon sauce.

Rikkis closes at 9:00 pm on Wednesdays, 10:00 pm on Tuesdays and Sundays, otherwise, they are open until 11:00 pm. This iconic Cocoa Beach nightlife spot is a must visit.

Address: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Alessandro Biascioli

3. Dog ‘n’ Bone British Pub

Looking for an authentic British pub? Then you have to pay a visit to the Dog ‘n’ Bone.  The story goes that the idea for the bar originated over the phone, and “dog and bone” is Cockney (London) rhyming slang for telephone. Good job this pub happened too, as you’ll find some of the most affordable drinks in Cocoa Beach here.

This is the personification of a traditional English pub experience.  Aside from the décor and the obvious order of a pint of lager, you can have a game of darts or play cribbage all whilst watching soccer (or should that be football) on TV.

This dog friendly bar (dogs have even been spotted on the pool table!) often has live music, karaoke, trivia nights, and special events, which only adds to the lively fun atmosphere.

The Dog ‘n’ Bone, which has a beer garden, is open 7 days a week and closes at around 2:00 am.  And what would a bar be without a happy hour – theirs is daily from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm! Expect things to get lively as the night draws on!

Address: 9 Stone St, Cocoa, FL 32922

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Mikhail Rudenko

4. Beach Shack

This rustic, laid-back bar right on the beach is one of a kind and we are sure locals would prefer to keep it secret.  They say that if you like blues, driks and beaches, the Beach Shack is the place for you. Although they don’t serve food, if you are hungry, you can order food from around the corner, and they will deliver it right to you.

Blues is synonymous with cigars and as a designated smoking establishment don’t forget yours behind. After all, we all know blues sounds better when viewed through a hazy cloud. We recommend eating first and popping in afterward and then spend the rest of your evening listening to some of the finest blues bands around. 

The Beach Shack generally closes around 1:00 am 7 days a week and will never leave you feeling disappointed in the slightest. This is probably one of the most atmospheric bars and Cocoa Beach nightlife spots.

Address: 1 Minutemen Causeway #2906, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/sarra22

5. Sandbar Sports Grill

How can you not love a place that has “Electric Tuesdaze” with half-price Tacos and Electric Lemonade drinks while you dance to the hottest EDM DJs in town?  And if you cant make Tuesdaze, Sandbar have a solid lineup most nights of the week.

There is nothing ordinary when it comes to the food here either – they literally have an all-day eating affair from 11:00 am in the morning until midnight.  We recommend trying the Alligator Tail or Tiny Tuna Tacos.  But if you are going to “bamba with the big boys” you have to order the Monster Fish Taco Platter – three GIANT fish tacos – grilled, blackened, served on monster tortillas with Spanish rice, black beans, and sweet plantains.

Their “Drinkey Drinks“ menu won’t leave you spoiled for choice. Select from the abundance of cocktails to beers.  We recommend the Mermaid Water made with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, pineapple juice, blue curacao, and lime. And for the more outrageous of you, well there is the “Sex With An Alligator” option – Three Olives Vodka, melon liqueur, raspberry brandy, pineapple juice, and sweet and sour. This one has a serious bite from the herbal liqueur floater.

This fabulous party spot will have you up partying until it closes, which is around 2:00 am 7 nights a week.

Address: 4301 Ocean Beach Blvd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/DavidPrahl

6. Lulu’s

You can’t resist Lulu’s with its intimate and welcoming vibe, not to mention the amazing drinks, food and live entertainment and music pretty much every night of the week!

If there is one word that is synonymous with Lulu’s it’s eclectic – from the décor to the music and food. This classy bar is a real must visit.

They serve classic American bar food with a twist, and you have to try the Beef Wellington Bites, Loaded Nachos, or the Chicken Wings.  Simple but unique flavor-filled food like their Bacon Blue Cheese Blueberry Burger – the name says it all.

We love their various martini and handcrafted cocktail options too, and if you are going to have one, we recommend their signature Lulu’s Twist made with Titos, fresh fruits, cucumber, and sparkling water. They also have a fabulous wine list with wines from as far away as New Zealand and Argentina to California. Perfect for enjoying on their wonderful patio.

You won’t want to miss their Karaoke Nights which are great fun, especially considering they place a speaker outside so that people walking by can join in the madness!

They are open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm to midnight and on Sunday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Address: 34 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/santypan

7. Nolan’s Irish Pub

There is supposedly an Irish Pub in every town and Cocoa Beach is no exception. In Nolan’s you will find the perfectly pulled pint of Guinness served in a wonderful, friendly atmosphere.

Why not go outside and enjoy that Guinness on their sun-soaked patio which has, of course, Irish green bench tables! In fact they have more outside seating than inside – perfect for Cocoa Beach. Although you can’t beat the cozy feeling of Nolan’s interior.

If all that Guinness is leaving you feeling peckish, you can’t beat their traditional fish and chips, bangers and mash, or their clam chowder. 

Friday and Saturday nights are special here, and you will find yourself singing along with some of the best Irish musicians you will ever hear. This is truly an authentic Irish experience. So definitely make time to visit this iconic Cocoa Beach nightlife spot.

Nolan’s also has fun events like Trivia Tuesday, Songwriters nights, and hopefully, you are around for one of their Ukelele Collective evenings. Now those really are quite special.

Nolan’s closes around 10:00 pm except for Fridays and Saturdays where they close at 11:00 pm.  Happy hour is from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Address: 204 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/KoriKobayashi

Cocoa Beach Nightlife: Live Entertainment Spots You Have to Check Out

As you have seen you won’t be at a loss when it comes to entertainment, with many of the local bars and restaurants offering their own unique take and lots of live music. 

But we felt Heidi’s and Lou’s needed a special mention as did Grouches because let’s be honest, what would live entertainment be without a comedy club?

1. Heidi’s Jazz Club

If you are looking for something sophisticated then Heidi’s Jazz Club is the place for you.  It is worthwhile checking out their website for upcoming musicians from all over the world, as this upscale spot has many great jazz artists that come and play here.

Their mouth-watering menu offers an array of dishes and we particularly like their “International Eclectic Dishes” showcasing meals from Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Russia.  We recommend pairing their schnitzel with one of their German beers. It just makes sense doesn’t it!

But the main attraction here is the jazz and the funky decor. Heidi’s features live music six nights a week and every table offers a full view of the stage. That’s every single table.

And for the truly brave and talented you are always welcome to try out the stage during their Open Jam sessions held on Sunday evenings.

Address: 7 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Vershinin

2. Lou’s Blues

This popular blues bar is a few km along the beach from Cocoa Beach but we thought it was worth a mention as it’s renowned for being fun, funky, and a tad naughty.  You will see what we mean when you look at Lou’s “Special Dirty Bingo Wingo Menu”!  They also boast one of the longest happiest hours we have ever heard of, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. That’s more like a happy day.

We recommend getting there early (obviously to take advantage of that happy hour) but Lou’s food is worth diving into, their menu offers a wide choice from seafood to burgers to salads and wraps.  We recommend Lou’s ribs, while the peel-and-eat shrimp really is fantastic.

The bands start playing at around 9h 30 and are guaranteed to get you moving.  We recommend you go on a Friday or Saturday night for a very special warm-up event. Who doesn’t love Karaoke?  Well kicking off from 5h 30 until the bands start to play, you will either be standing and cheering or rolling around under the table laughing as karoke takes center stage. Either way, it’s a night of fun for all. 

Lou’s closes around 11:00 pm Sunday to Thursday and stays open until 2:00 am on Friday and Saturdays.

Address: 3191 N Hwy A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903

3. Gregory’s Comedy Club

This family run restaurant also hosts Cocoa Beach’s only professional comedy club! Get ready for an evening of laughter in one of the best comedy clubs in the South, as they host some of the top national and state acts around.

The shows at Gregory’s starts upstairs at 8pm on select Friday & Saturday nights. But why not grab dinner before, as their restaurant is known for its fantastic grilled dishes and seafood.

Address: 900 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Boris_Kuznets

Cocoa Beach Nightlife: The Best Restaurants to Begin Your Evening

We love the variety that Cocoa Beach has to offer – choose from fine-dining to beachside cafes and who knows you may even land up sitting in the exact same spot as one of those famous astronauts!  Here are some of our favorites.

1. Florida’s Fresh Grill

Florida’s Fresh Grill prides itself, as they say, on ensuring that every guest has a memorable dining experience. They are committed to providing outstanding service and mouth-watering meals.

Their food is made from the freshest available ingredients and every dish is prepared from scratch.  Renowned for their steaks and sustainably sourced fish, you can’t go wrong with either.

Order one of their hand-crafted cocktails whilst you peruse the menu.  We recommend the Filet Mignon which you can upgrade by adding a 6oz lobster tail or try their Golden Corvina, guaranteed to melt in your mouth.  Don’t forget to keep space for one of their famous desserts or as they like to call them “Sweet Endings”

They are open from 4:30 to 9:30 pm every night and the dress code is strictly “Country Club Casual”. Make sure you don’t miss their Happy Hour each day between 4:30 and 6:00 pm.

Address: 2039 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/YuraWhite

2. The Fat Snook

When we think of The Fat Snook, we think of beautiful food.  At the Fat Snook you definitely eat with your eyes first.  They are renowned for their seafood and Caribbean vibe, with each meal prepared from scratch using the freshest ingredients – a true sea-to-table experience.  We love the attention to detail, often it’s the small things that make the evening, like the special amuse-bouche the chef sends to each table.

Try their Pork Belly and Watermelon Salad to start, simply heavenly served in a sticky Thai sauce and crispy garlic. For mains, we recommend the catch of the day, Caribbean cornbread, and you are forbidden to leave without trying the key lime pie for dessert – it simply isn’t voluntary.

The Fat Snook is open Tuesdays through to Sundays from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. We suggest you take advantage of their happy hour from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  All appetizers are half-price and beer and wine and discounted.

Address: 2464 S Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

3. Fat Kahunas

We love how Fat Kahunas has managed to integrate fine dining into a relaxed casual atmosphere. As they say, “Come and Taste the Aloha!”

The owner was born and bred in Cocoa Beach and always dreamed of going to Hawaii. His dream came true and the Hawaiian influence can be seen throughout this tropical seafood restaurant with its magnificent ocean views. 

They are known for their exciting and unique dishes with a contemporary Hawaiian twist. We highly recommend the Macadamia Nut Encrusted Mahi Mahi or the Jumbo Coconut Shrimp served with a fresh mango sweet chili sauce. For the meat-eaters, you can’t go wrong with their Wagyu Ribeye Steak.

If you don’t have space for dessert, then you need to make a trip back the next day for their famous Maui Wowie Mud Pie.

Address: 8 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/bhofack2

4. Nosh

If you are looking for sushi, then this is simply the best place to go. Nosh is owned by two brothers, Jun and Meno, and together they have created a beautiful space with modern clean designs. 

This same design philosophy extends across their food. We love that everything is personal for them.  As Jun says, “When the soup comes out of the kitchen it is just so aromatic and reminds me of home and of my childhood.”  They are firm believers that good food makes people smile.

It’s difficult to decide between the starters, homemade soups, poke bowls and noodles, let alone the sushi. We recommend the Ceviche to start: white fish and shrimp served with mixed greens, cucumber, avocado, and orange – it’s so much flavor.

When it comes to the sushi, you can’t go wrong with the Big Love Roll. Shrimp tempura, jalapeños, cream cheese, avocado, scallions, and bacon which is then drizzled with their own “Big Love” spicy sauce

You have to try their Pineapple Sass cocktail too, which is a combination of unexpected flavors: Jalapeno and pineapple with tequila, honey and a splash of house-made sour mis. Rimmed with sriracha.

Nosh is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and has a happy hour daily from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Address: 3800 N Atlantic Ave Ste. 6, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Cocoa Beach Nightlife: Late-Night Food To Give You Fuel

Most restaurants in Cocoa Beach close around 9:30 pm but for those of you needing a late-night bite, we’ve got you covered.  The Sandbar (which we featured before) also offers late-night food but here’s another that will help hit the spot!

4th Street Fillin’ Station

The 4th Street Fillin’ Station covers all bases, and if that wasn’t enough it’s based in an old Mobil gas station! You are going to love the relaxed atmosphere where you can eat indoors in their garage bays or sit outside in their beautiful backyard near the 100-year-old oak tree.

But let’s start with the food. They cater to everyone from tacos to burgers to house-smoked wings and even have options for vegans and gluten-free needs. Their menu is fun and exciting and you have to try their firecracker sauce. And we simply love the Dessert Bar and their Monster Shakes. The shakes take you back to your childhood but still allow you to be all grown up as there’s a bit of alcohol in there too!

When it comes to drinks, 4th Street actually have over 150 beers to choose from and their barman will happily handcraft cocktails to order from the freshest ingredients.

Tuesdays are Taco Days and there is live music playing in the backyard from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

This is a win for a late-night option as they close at 11:00 pm every day except for Friday and Saturday nights where they are open until 1:00 am! Perfect for refuelling on any Cocoa Beach nightlife adventure.

Address: 382 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Elihu Castillo Ramirez

Author

  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.