Sarasota after dinner offers a world of experiences from romantic sunset cruises on the ocean to shopping villages on the keys, live entertainment, and all-night parties. Here you can hit a wide range of beach clubs to dance till dawn with craft cocktails and your toes in the sand. You can sit in on a rhythmic drum circle and let the beat take you away. You can head for a live play, musical, concert, or comedy show. You can go shopping at a range of big-name and speciality boutique shops.
No matter what kind of nightlife you want, you'll find it here. Check out some of the best things to do after dinner in Sarasota.
- 1
Sarasota beach clubs
Dance the night away with cocktails, sand, and surf
- Couples
- Nightlife
Sarasota beach clubs offer a range of experiences to enjoy after dinner, from elegant, romantic settings with champagne to wild parties with fantastic DJs banging out hits. You can enjoy craft cocktails with your toes in the sand while lounging on beach chairs, or you can hit a true all-night party on the waterfront with the sounds of the latest dance hits, electronica music, and indie favourites while you dance with your friends and even make a few new ones.
It seems like every beach has several of these clubs to choose from, with one even called The Beach Club. You can also head for the Ritz-Carlton, Suntide Island, the Lido Key Tiki Bar, The Gator Club, and many others.
Location: Sarasota, FL, USA
photo by Ebyabe (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 2
Sunset cruise
See the sun sink over the Gulf
- Adventure
- Couples
- Luxury
- Nightlife
A sunset cruise in Sarasota offers the ultimate couples' retreat on the water with champagne, craft cocktails, and the brilliant colours of the Florida sunset over the Gulf. Many cruises offer live musical entertainment to take the experience to the next level. You can enjoy light food for an after-dinner snack, or hop onto a conga line for some fun with other couples. A sunset cruise in Sarasota offers a world of romance, fun, and everything you imagine from a tropical paradise holiday.
Many tour companies offer sunset cruises off the shores of Sarasota. All you need to do is look up a few and choose the one you like, or ask your resort or hotel for recommendations.
Location: Sarasota, FL, USA
- 3
Siesta Key Drum Circle
Sway to the rhythm and beat
- Adventure
- Couples
- Families
- Unusual
Siesta Key drum circles happen in the evening and let you get lost in the rhythms and beat and sway with the drums as the sun sinks over the horizon. Whether you're playing a drum yourself or just moving with the music, you can let all your cares go, recharge your batteries, and feel one with island culture. When and where it happens depends on when you go. On Sundays, they're between lifeguard stands 3 and 4 and on Englewood Beach. On Wednesday and Saturday, they're on Nokomis Beach.
If you've never attended a drum circle, selecting Siesta Key for your first one is a great choice. It's a fun option for couples, families, or groups of friends.
Location: 948 Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 USA
Open: Sunday from 5 pm to midnight, (closed Monday–Saturday)
Phone: +1 941-861-5000
- 4
Circus Sarasota
See a show in the tradition of the Ringling Bros.
- Couples
- Families
- Nightlife
- Unusual
Circus Sarasota pays tribute to the legacy of John Ringling with a big show under a big-top tent in the tradition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Here you'll see prancing pachyderms, daring acrobats dangling from above, terrifying tiger shows, comedic clowns, death-defying stunt performers, and magnificent magic to thrill, entertain, and create lasting memories. It's an international cast of top circus artists putting on an unforgettable show on Regatta Island at Nathan Benderson Park.
The circus is just 18 minutes east of city centre. Many of the performers have appeared on stages like "America's Got Talent."
Location: 140 University Town Centre Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243 USA
Open: Daily from 1.15 pm to 8 pm
Phone: +1 941-355-9335
photo by Carol VanHook (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 5
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Catch a circus, musical, or dance performance
- Couples
- Families
- Nightlife
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is a classic live performance venue showcasing acrobatics, dance shows, live music, musical theatre, and many other entertainment shows. Whether you're catching big-name country-western acts like Martina McBride, a Four Tops reunion, a special holiday performance, a modern dance show, a performance of Cirque du Soleil, or any other form of live show, you can probably find something to your liking here, from country to R&B, rock and roll, comedy, dance, and more.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is easy to get to as well. It's right in the heart of city centre Sarasota, just steps away from Waterfront Park.
Location: 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 USA
Phone: +1 941-953-3368
photo by Clyde Robinson (CC BY 2.0) modified
- 6
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Catch a classic play or modern Broadway show
- Couples
- Families
- History
- Nightlife
Asolo Repertory Theatre is a professional theatre company that's among the largest equity companies in the southeastern US offering all kinds of dramatic performances. The theatre is a historic staple of Sarasota, having been here in some form for over 50 years. It was originally housed in an 18th-century theatre brought over from Venice and modified to support modern performances. The company moved to a different location, the Mertz Theatre, which opened in 1990. The company continues its legacy today as the Historic Asolo Theatre.
At this theatre, you'll see the best of classic and modern shows, from plays to musical theatre. It's just 13 minutes north of city centre.
Location: 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 USA
Phone: +1 800-361-8388
photo by Ebyabe (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 7
McCurdy's Comedy Theatre
Laugh the night away with famous stand-up comedians
- Couples
- Families
- Nightlife
McCurdy's Comedy Theatre offers a wide variety of stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, and musical comedy acts to keep you laughing all night long. The theatre has been showing the best of local up-and-comers and big-name international comedy acts since 1988 from its location in the heart of Historic City centre Sarasota on the East End.
You can stop before the show at the Green Room lounge to grab a drink and a meal, or you can get table service in the showroom itself. You'll see your favourite acts in a 4,200-square-foot showroom with cabaret-style seating. Every seat is fantastic, with HD monitors providing extra visibility.
Location: 1923 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236 USA
Phone: +1 941-925-3869
- 8
St. Armands Circle
Go shopping and dining in an idyllic setting
- Couples
- Families
- Nightlife
- Shoppers
St. Armands Circle is a large shopping village located on St. Armands Key that's renowned for its boutique shops and restaurants, and especially its ice cream vendors. Here you can find no fewer than 6 ice cream shops that serve up everything from soft serve to ice cream on a stick, snow cones, and other kinds of frozen treats. Besides the ice cream, you'll find over 130 shops and services including indie boutique stores, speciality shops, souvenir and gift shops, galleries, and others.
All of this is in an idyllic location where you can also enjoy a park on the Boulevard of the Presidents with rocking chairs and a giant chess set. It's an award-winning spot for shopping and dining.
Location: St. Armands Circle Park, 434 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL 34236 USA
Open: 24/7
- 9
Siesta Key Village
Explore 100 shops and services, and catch a festival
- Couples
- Families
- Shoppers
Siesta Key Village offers a long stretch of shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants and also plays host to a wide range of festivals and celebrations throughout the year. This place is one of those destinations in Sarasota where you can find just about everything in one location. You'll get the chance to explore around 100 shops, cafés, and services. Best of all, it's all together in a relatively small area, so you won't have to walk miles to explore it all.
From shopping and dining to after-dinner parties on the waterfront, this is a place that has it all. Siesta Key Village is located in the heart of Siesta Key, about 16 minutes from city centre Sarasota.
Location: 5145 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242 USa
Phone: +1 941-349-2822
- 10
Sarasota nightclubs
Hit every kind of club and bar under the sun and moon
- Couples
- Nightlife
Sarasota nightclubs offer the full nightlife experience, whether you're looking to dance the night away or relax with your nearest and dearest in an upscale lounge setting. You can enjoy just about every kind of bar and club experience at places like The Gator Club, North Bridge Tavern, the Daiquiri Deck, Marina Jack, and Jdub's Brewing Company. You can have an IPA at a brewpub, relax on the beach with craft cocktails, hit a sports bar, sing karaoke, catch a live band, or dance the night away as a DJ spins dance hits.
Sarasota is famed for its nightlife. Fantastic bars and pubs can be found on just about every street just steps from wherever you're staying.
Location: Sarasota, FL, USA