An authentic British pub (heck, one of the owners was born in England!), the Dog'n'Bone is one of the best places on Space Coast to tip a pint and sling some steel-tip darts. You will feel like you've stepped into London; the "tele" streams soccer. Guinness is on tap. People play cribbage. Beyond plenty of games, including chess and billiards, the pub also features live music. Cocoa Village is a must-see destination, in and of itself, and this pub is a popular stopping point to refuel and relax. Fun fact: The bar was conceived on the phone, and "dog and bone" is slang for telephone — hence the name.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Tip a pint here and feel like you've hopped the big lake.
Aimee's expert tip: Look for a themed cookout on the pavilion. If you can experience the "shish-ka-barb-q" night, you won't regret it.
Nationally known acts (that is, guys you might have seen on HBO, Letterman, Leno or Comedy central) regularly take stages hosted by Groucho's, located at various spots throughout Melbourne. There's always an opening act, so you actually get two comedians for one admission price — that alone makes this one of the best Thursday night deals in town. Groucho's is one of the oldest entertainment producers in the south, and has a solid reputation, although it is for adults only. More recently, Groucho's began featuring Vegas-style cabaret entertainment, as well. Find Groucho's shows in Stuart, Melbourne, Port St. Lucie, Cocoa Beach, Celebration, Clermont, Ft. Pierce, Vero Beach and Okeechobee.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Groucho's is one of the oldest and most esteemed comedy clubs in the south.
Aimee's expert tip: Look for the three-course "dinner and a show" deals, which are a killer deal.
Southern hospitality shines at Murdock's, a relaxed bistro that serves lunch, dinner and often live entertainment, too. Eat your meal inside the cozy interior or outside on the large back porch or front deck. Chow down on some Southern-style comfort food, like smoked pork or chicken barbecue and homemade fresh soups. Try fried pickles for an appetizer and a "po'boy" sandwich for dinner. After you try catfish fingers, you'll never want regular fish sticks again. Don't miss the Bloody Mary bar on Sunday. Murdock's features a fully-stocked bar, so come in, unwind and stay awhile. The motto here is, "Good food, good friends, good wine, great times," which is why Murdock's is one of our favorite places to relax and spoil our taste buds.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Southern hospitality shines at Murdock's, a relaxed bistro and bar.
Aimee's expert tip: Don't miss the Blood Mary bar on Sunday.
Historic Cocoa Village's Ultra Lounge is a popular gay bar on the Space Coast — gay owned and operated. It is known for being host to a variety of different LBGT-friendly events, parties and shows. Check the website for the Ultra "Queens," a list of various performers who have performed on the stage here. You can find other fun events here, too, like Bingo and a hot dog bar. Look for different theme nights, like Mystery Mondays (you never know what the theme will be) and Karaoke Tuesdays. There's never a cover at Ultra Lounge. Ultra Lounge aims to be welcoming to people of all backgrounds.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Ultra Lounge is a gay bar in Historic Cocoa Village with various theme nights.
Aimee's expert tip: Score free food, prizes and shots on Bingo Sundays.
Time Out Sports Bar calls its self a "drinking establishment with a sports problem." That playful attitude carries throughout this upbeat gathering place, and it has for more than 25 years. At Time Out, you can watch your favorite sports game in a clean, laid-back bar stocked with food, plenty of beer and 30 TVs. In between games, throw darts, play pool or listen to music. Drink specials are where Time Out really shines, even to the non-sports crowd. Time Out has one of the Space Coast's cheapest happy hours, with $1 drinks from 8-9 p.m., $2 drinks the next hour and $3 drinks from 10-11 p.m. Get $3 pitchers any time of day. However, Time Out is known for its loaded bloody Marys during the weekend. And by loaded, we're talking you can adorn your beverage with more than 30 different treats, including shrimp, pickled asparagus, pretzels, cheese, olives, peppers and waffles.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: This sports bar has some of the best happy hours on the coast.
Aimee's expert tip: Make sure you try the loaded bloody Marys that you can decorate with all kinds of crazy stuff, from shrimp to pretzels to waffles.
Blues in all its styles and incarnations takes center stage at this low-key waterside joint, which features some of Brevard County's top players every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Stop by one night and you may hear a good, down-home acoustic jam; the next night it may be an electric act like Slick Willie, a group that blends rock, blues and country. Whatever your taste, a night at the Shack is sure to get your feet a-tapping and put your soul at ease. The Shack is a designated smoking establishment, so light up your cigar if you've got one — or steer clear, if you don't want to spend the night in a cloud.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Cigars and blues music on the beach make this "shack" stand out.
Aimee's expert tip: Bring a cigar. You can light up at the Beach Shack. Before you head out, take a peek at the "Shack Cam" on the website to see what's crackin' at the shack.
Heidi's is authentic, established and respectable. Go here if you're looking for an amazing night out that's a little more sophisticated — and filled with top-notch jazz music starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The top place for jazz on the Space Coast since it opened back in 1992, Heidi's houses touring musicians six nights a week. The club's funky decor is a good fit for the bands who play here, and each of the tables is positioned so that patrons have full view of the stage. Heidi's complements its music scene with a menu that features ditties like baked brie, Swiss fondue and carpaccio. The munchies help make the scene, so come hungry.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Go here for a more sophisticated night on the town.
Aimee's expert tip: We loved the Schnitzel, served up with a tasty German beer. If you're musically inclined, try out the stage Sunday evenings during Open Jam.
The Sand Bar Sports Grill in Cocoa Beach has sports mastered. Sip the signature drink, the Hurricane, and munch on fish tacos while watching sports on the 20 high-def TVs scattered throughout the bar. The bar — actually two, because Sand Bar has double bars — is subscribed to a variety of premium channels, so you can catch almost any major game here. If it's not streaming, just ask. Looking for a different kind of sport? Watch surf flicks on the TVs when sports aren't on. In between games, listen to live music. After you fill up in the full kitchen, go on a warm walk to the nearby park. Looking to cool off? Try a smoothie. Is your belly growling? Fill up and then some with Sand Bar's massive, five-pound burrito. It's not dinner; it's a dare.
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Sand Bar is close to the beach and has excellent drink specials (and pizza).
Aimee's expert tip: If you can eat the massive, five-pound burrito, you can get your picture on the wall. Not that we are encouraging it.
Right on the beach just off A1A, you'll find this popular blues bar that rocks with live music seven nights a week. Here, not only will you find quite possibly the longest happy hour in existence (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), but also people-watching at its best. Lou's Blues is funky and full of character; beware of the "Special Dirty Bingo Wingo Menu," featuring drinks with the naughtiest of names. Before the bands start playing at 9:30 p.m., you can also often participate in (or laugh at) karaoke, and catch a decent dinner. The peel-and-eat shrimp are reasonably priced and the bacon blue cheese sliders are, well — talk about a naughty indulgence!
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Blues music rocks this beach bar every night of the week.
Aimee's expert tip: Try Lou's Ribs, made with a special dry rub so delicious it can turn any blues song upside down.
The younger crowd enjoys the good times served at Coconuts. From live music and world-famous bikini contests to breathtaking views of the Atlantic and great specials on specialty drinks, this oceanside bar is sure to rank high on your list. Stop by early and enjoy a fried shrimp platter, Bahamian lobster tails or even a flat iron steak. Afterward, it's off to the party deck, to enjoy the night's entertainment and mingle with friends old and new. Want to see for yourself how fun Coconuts is? Check out the live webcam on the bar's website, and prepare to get jealous!
Recommended for Cocoa/Cocoa Beach's Best Nightlife because: Coconuts is arguably the most famous nightlife option in Cocoa Beach.
Aimee's expert tip: Whether you're a participant or a spectator, Coconuts' bikini contests are quite, uh, entertaining. We love Coconuts' late-night happy hour specials. Some of the best drink deals on the beach!