Destin Night Life – 11 Incredible Things to Do After Dark

While Destin Florida nightlife may not hold the sophisticated allure of Miami, this Panhandle paradise is overflowing with good times. Follow along to discover the 11 best spots for nightlife in Destin, Florida.

Watch pelicans search for their next meal as you suck down Gulf Coast Oysters and ice-cold beer at AJ’s, or enjoy live music and Mai Tais just moments from the beach.

Dance the night away with the rabble-rousing guests and bartenders of Coyote Ugly, or perhaps show off those salsa-swinging hips at Latin Night.

From drink specials to the freshest seafood dinners, there are countless ways to conquer Destin night life!

Destin FL Nightlife and Activities

Curious about what makes nightlife Destin Florida so thrilling? Adventurous locals and tourists alike will be in heaven as they sample succulent seafood jumbo or enjoy free drink hours at the Village Door Dance Bar.

No matter if you are in the mood for some classic rock and roll covers or a potentially lethal Painkiller, Destin delivers.

AJs Seafood and Oyster Bar

Funky, fun, and full of local color AJs Seafood and Oyster Bar can be found right on the Destin Harbor docks. Swing on by for a night of live music, entertainment, and of course Gulf Coast Oysters.

Snag a bar stool and order a frosty draft of their own Sunset Ale as you watch the game, or jam out to the nightly live music offerings. Keep the fun going with a vibrant red

AJ’s Bimini Bash made with 5 different rums, or snack on some deep-fried clam strips and deviled crab. Looking to really cut a rug? Head to AJ’s Club Bimini for island music and tiki hut fun.

Bric a Brac

Feeling a touch picante? Put those years of dance class to work when you bring the heat to Latin Night at Bric a Brac. While this may be a family-style restaurant all day, come Friday and Saturday evening Bric a Brac becomes Destin’s #1 Latin spot.

Not in the mood to cha cha cha? You can still pay a visit and eat your fill of their famous pan-seared crab cakes and smoked fish dip.

Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill

Live gators and libations? Yes, please! For over 40 years Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill has been combining food, fun, and family. Wind down your day of saltwater and sandcastles in wholesome style when you make a beeline for this one-of-a-kind entertainment center.

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Located directly on Highway 98, Fudpuckers is the only place in Destin where you can snap a selfie with a gator and suck down a world-famous Whistle Wetter. Try your hand at earning the top score in the arcade before you move on to their brain-freeze-worthy Fudwacker or energizing Gator Bomb cocktail, featuring Red Bull, Blue Curacao, and Smirnoff Orange Vodka.

Village Door

Calling all VIPs! Treat yourself to some star-studded service when you ball out all night at the Village Door. Voted the best place to dance on the Emerald Coast, the Village Door is the ideal spot for any wild Friday night, bachelorette, or birthday party.

Be sure to swing by from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. for their free drink hour, or throw caution to the wind when you upgrade your big night out with bottle service and table reservations.

Lucky’s Rotten Apple

On the hunt for some good times, cheap drinks, and live music? Lucky’s Rotten Apple is certainly nothing fancy, but that’s part of the appeal of this no-frills Destin institution.

Known for keeping the beats and drinks flowing until 4 a.m., thirsty patrons will lap up their generous beer and well specials as well as seasonal giveaways. Stretch your dollar even further with daily power hours or rack up those balls for a friendly game of pool.

The Craft Bar – Destin

Yearning for a not-so-spring break-flavored night in Destin? Elevate your boozing when you savor the casually elegant ambiance of the Craft Bar – Destin. Boasting cozy exposed brick, expertly mixed cocktails, and craft beer, the Craft is a welcome reprieve in a sea of neon-hued dive bars.

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Settle in for a bevy of mouthwatering plates including macadamia nut-crusted gulf grouper and steak frites served with caramelized onion mushroom demi-glace before moving on to their lengthy seasonal draft list.

More in the mood for something fruity? Raise a glass with the Craft classic, the Resting Beach Face featuring 5-year Panama rum, muddled blackberries, muddled pineapple, coconut puree, and house citrus.

Boathouse Oyster Bar

Worn wooden tables and sweeping Destin Harbor views make the Boathouse Oyster Bar the ideal spot to shoot the breeze or savor a bowl of Ms. Wanda’s award-winning gumbo.

A beloved local hot spot, the Boathouse has been slinging seafood and well-priced drafts for over 30 years. Order up half a dozen shucked beauties to share, or snack away on delicious BBQ shrimp dripping in butter and garlic.

In addition to their famous seafood plates, diners will be treated to live music seven days a week.

Red Door Saloon

Friendly bartenders plus a healthy dash of road trip kitsch! Swear you’ve been whisked away to Highway 66 when you step inside the license plate and beer can-covered interior of Red Door Saloon.

This humble dive bar boasts harbor views, affordable drinks, and yummy steamed sandwiches. Kick off your evening here and you’ll be treated to drink specials, decadent frozen Bushwackers, and their signature beer-boiled brats.

Need to heed the suds craving? Take a peek at their chalkboard draft selection and sample the brew of your choice.

Coyote Ugly Saloon

Save a horse, ride a cowboy! Don your best denim and throw back a shot of Jack Daniels, because it’s time to get rowdy at the most famous bar on the planet. The infamous Coyote Ugly Saloon hardly needs any introduction.

A hotbed of sexy, sassy bartenders and bar-top dancing, patrons pack into the Destin location for hours of all-American fun. Watch the Destin Coyotes strut their stuff in front of the row of discarded bras, or earn your own free shot when you drop it low on top of the bar.

Attempt to become the next beer pong champion on Thursday night, or stop by Friday and Saturday for live DJs, pool, and more.

SkyWheel Panama City Beach

Who says nightlife in Destin needs to include a hangover? Plan for a more family-friendly evening in the Panhandle when you witness the breathtaking beauty of the Emerald Coast from above.

Open until 11 p.m., the Skywheel Panama City Beach provides access to a scenic 10-minute climate-controlled gondola ride. Each cabin can fit up to 6 passengers and offers a whole new perspective from 20 stories above.

After you enjoy your four rotations, be sure to stick around and try your hand at the 18-hole miniature golf course.

Escapology

Clues, puzzles, and riddles oh my! Put that noggin to work when you round up your most cerebral friends for a thrilling escape room challenge. Escapology Destin allows groups of up to 8 players to work together to solve puzzles and win their freedom.

Discover a variety of themed rooms from Murder on the Orient Express to Lost Cities of the South American jungles. Excavate an abandoned temple, hunt for treasure, or become a CIA field operative in Cuba circa 1962.

Remember, you have just 60 minutes to complete your challenge and escape the confines of the game!

Destin Florida Hotels

Ready to uncover the secret of Destin after dark? Before you reward yourself with a perfectly creamy pina colada, you’ll need to lock down those lodgings. From cozy beachside suites to budget accommodations just minutes from the Destin Boardwalk, we have Destin Hotels for every type of traveler.

Enjoy complimentary breakfasts and splash pads, or take advantage of free wifi and finish up some last-minute work emails. Make your reservation stress free, knowing you are always guaranteed our lowest rates online.

Experience Destin: One Night at a Time

Sand, surf, and plenty of seafood await visitors lucky enough to make the pilgrimage to Destin Florida.

A sparkling jewel of the Panhandle, Destin’s aquamarine waters, Gulf views, and world-class fishing leave travelers and locals alike happily satisfied.

Yet, after dark it’s time to uncover the other side of this Sunshine State paradise.

Tuck into steaming bowls of gumbo at the Boathouse while you sway in time to some acoustic guitar. Or, inject your evening with some elegance when you sample bespoke cocktails featuring habanero-infused vodka and smoked rosemary.

From honky tonk-inspired dive bars to free drink power hours, Destin Florida night life offers a little something for everyone.

Tell us, What’s Your Favorite Spot For Nightlife in Destin?

Leave a comment below!