A vibrant, eclectic boardwalk filled with fun, food, and excitement that’s nestled between a beautiful bay and a bustling beach, a vacation destination famed for its food, family fun, and all-around friendly vibes—all this and more can be found in the Maryland gem of Ocean City.
But after a long day of sun and fun, there is another side to OC that beckons those looking for a night out filled with some drinks, some music, and some elevated party vibes—and there’s no better place to find the beach town’s best PM vibes than at one of the following spots. With everything from live music to late-night bites, the following places have something for everyone looking to hit the town (and the dance floor!) during a fun vacation in outstanding Ocean City.
Legendary Live Music Spots
Ocean City is known as a great spot to party—and these live music spots make it easy to hit the dance floor for a night to remember.
Dining, DJs, And Live Music At Seacrets
Jamaican vibes abound at Seacrets—a restaurant, bar, nightclub, hotel, and all-around entertainment complex that provides the ultimate party atmosphere in Ocean City. With multiple venues to explore, there’s something for everyone looking for a fun night out in OC, from DJs to rollicking reggae bands—and everything in between.
- Address: 117 49th Street
- Hours: Open July and August Sunday through Friday 11 AM-2 AM and Saturdays 10 AM-2 AM
- Tickets/Fees: Tickets for live music events can be purchased at the door or on Ticketmaster
- Menu: Yes
- Need To Know: Seacrets has a no backpack policy and a dress code, see the website for more details
Local Faves Hit The Stage At The Ocean Club
Hotel bars are often home to some of the best live local music around, and the Ocean Club at the Ocean City Fontainebleau Resort is no exception. Cool nightclub vibes pair with local live music faves at this hip hotel spot that’s a fun place to chill at the end of a long day on the beach.
- Address: 10100 Coastal Hwy (Located in the Fontainbleau Resort)
- Hours: Friday and Saturday 7 PM-12 AM
- Tickets/Fees: No cover for live entertainment
- Menu: N/A
- Need To Know: Grab a bite at onsite restaurants Horizons or Lenny’s Beach Bar & Grill before heading to the Ocean Club for drinks and dancing
Rock On At The Purple Moose Saloon
With live entertainment almost every night throughout the summer, the Purple Moose Saloon is known for its rollicking rock performances and DJs that pack the dance floor. A true party spot known for its premier entertainment, The Moose is a fun place to hang out after dark.
- Address: 108 S Boardwalk between Talbot and Caroline Streets
- Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 AM-2 AM; Friday through Sunday 10 AM-2 PM
- Cover Charge/Entrance Fees: Bands and DJs may have a cover charge
- Menu: N/A
- Need To Know: This is one of the best places in OC to see rock bands
Beach Barrels: Hoagies, Brews, And Live Music Shows
With a live music event calendar that’s jam-packed with party bands and cool one-man jams, Beach Barrels is an eclectic spot that has one thing its fellow live music venues don’t: Primo Hoagies. That’s right, as a sister establishment to the famous hoagie chain, Beach Barrels serves up the best sammies that pair perfectly with their cold beer and Bourbon Flights.
- Address: 13207 Coastal Hwy
- Hours: Open daily 9 AM-2 AM
- Cover Charge/Entrance Fees: Yes, some live music requires a ticket purchase
- Menu: Yes, hoagies from Primo Hoagies
- Need To Know: Beer Barrels also offers beer and wine carry-out in addition to those delish Primo Hoagies to-go
Bars, Nightclubs, And Late Night Eats
There are plenty of ways to spend the night in Ocean City—from jam-packed bars to casual, tried-and-true institutions that offer the best in bites, brews, and bonhomie.
Harborside Bar & Grill’s Famed Rustic Charm
Casual waterfront dining is on the menu at the cool Harborside Bar & Grill, the perfect spot to grab a bite and take in the OC sights. Home of the original Orange Crush (“often imitated, never duplicated”), this perennial fave is one of Ocean City’s must-visit destinations.
- Address: 12841 South Harbor Rd.
- Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11 AM-10 PM (Kitchen closes at 9 PM); Friday & Saturday 11 AM-11 PM (Kitchen closes at 10 PM)
- Live Music: Thursday through Sunday
- Menu: Yes
- Need To Know: Harborside is family-friendly and a great place to eat outdoors
A Taste Of Texas At Cowboy Coast Country Saloon & Steakhouse
Country music, mouthwatering steaks, and southern-style comfort food (including homemade BBQ!) are on the menu at Cowboy Coast Country Saloon. Full of atmosphere and down-home vibes, this late-night spot offers a slew of entertainment options and daily specials for any visitor looking for a taste of Texas by the shore.
- Address: 1706 Philadelphia Ave.
- Hours: Open daily 11 AM-2 AM
- Live Music: Yes, upcoming events include live concerts Thursday, July 21, and Thursday, July 28. Advanced tickets available
- Menu: Yes
- Need To Know: Cowboy Coast hosts all kinds of events throughout the summer including karaoke, hoedowns, and line dances—they also have Ocean City’s only mechanical bull
The Original Greene Turtle Is Beachy Bar Fun
With a logo as famous as its name and location in the heart of Ocean City, The Original Greene Turtle has been serving up good times to locals and visitors every summer since 1976. A sports bar/beachy dive that’s as welcoming as it is fun, this Coastal Highway spot beckons night owls with its pub fare and good times.
- Address: 11601 Coastal Hwy
- Hours: Open daily 11 AM-2 AM
- Live Music: Yes, DJs from Friday through Sunday @ 10:30 PM
- Menu: Yes
- Need To Know: The Greene Turtle is an OC institution that’s known as a great hangout spot to grab a brew, catch a game, and nosh on some of the city’s best burgers and wings
Happy Hour And A Bite At Barn 34
While there are plenty of late-night spots to party down in OC, there are also a plethora of chill restaurants and bars that are the perfect place to start the night with a delish meal and a cold drink (or two)—and Barn 34 certainly fits the bill. With rustic, homey vibes and a laid-back, fresh menu that’s casually chic, this happening spot is definitely worth a stop (and great for that morning-after meal, too!)
- Address: 3400 Coastal Highway
- Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 8 AM-9 PM; Sundays and Mondays 8 AM-1:30 PM
- Live Music: N/A
- Menu: Yes
- Need To Know: Barn 34 offers everything from breakfast fare (try the “Hangover”) to classic OC staples like crab cakes
Pickles Pub: Pool Tables, Tunes, And Midnight Bites
Terrific pub fare shines at this local fave that’s known for its laid-back bar scene—whether it’s catching the big game, shooting some pool, grabbing a bite, or catching a band, Pickles Pub has it all, including some of the friendliest, most welcoming vibes in Ocean City. Be sure to stop in for their legendary Happy Hour, too (3-6 PM Monday through Friday).
- Address: 8th Street and Philadelphia Ave.
- Hours: Open daily 11:30 AM-2 AM (Kitchen open till 1 AM)
- Live Music: Yes
- Menu: Yes
- Need To Know: Pickles Pub is home to The Original Pickle Shot created by its founders that is now bottled and sold in over 15 states (but there’s nothing better than having one while you’re there!)
The best reason to visit Ocean City, Maryland may be its exciting boardwalk and bustling, sandy shores—but once the sun goes down this beach and bayside beauty becomes a beacon for night owls everywhere. Whether it’s a live music spot; a late-night hang; dance club vibes, or an after-hours nosh, Ocean City knows how to put the party into any vacation.