While you’ll never confuse Cape Cod for New York, Las Vegas, or South Beach when it comes to nightlife, there’s more than enough to keep you busy after the sun goes down. After all, the Cape has an eclectic culinary scene with cuisine from all over the world, live music venues, and spots to dance the night away.
As a bonus, finding a bar or restaurant a short jaunt from your vacation rental is usually possible, so you don’t have to worry about how you’ll get home after having a couple of glasses of wine.
Those staying on the Upper Cape will have plenty of options for a night out, as the region’s four towns all have hot spots. Here’s a look at the nightlife in Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich, and Mashpee.
Bars in Bourne
A night on the town in Bourne could take you to either side of the Cape Cod Canal, and you could also find yourself venturing into Buzzards Bay or Wareham as the night progresses.
Assuming you stay on the Cape side of the Bourne Bridge, popular nighttime spots include the Trading Post Lounge, The Bog Tavern, The Parrot Bar & Grill, and the Bridge View Grill. The Bog Tavern and The Parrot Bar & Grill both have live music in the summer, with The Parrot staying open until the early hours of the morning to keep the party going.
The mainland side of the bridge features the Rod & Rail, one of the region’s best gastropubs, and Captain Al’s Tiki Bar, a waterfront spot with a patio that gets lively in the early evening.
Trendy Spots in Falmouth
Falmouth is larger than Bourne and, as you might expect, has more nightlife options for you to enjoy. Naturally, you’ll probably look for a spot close to your vacation rental to make it easier to get around.
If you’re staying near downtown Falmouth, popular bars include Grumpy’s Pub, Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub, and Jacks Restaurant & Bar, all of which have live music and stay open late. Or, for a more laidback time, you can head to the Quahog Republic Dive Bar or Anchor Ale House for a drink or two before carrying on with your evening.
Woods Hole is somewhat limited when it comes to nightlife, but Captain Kidd Restaurant and Bar stays open late and has a scenic patio on the water. The Quicks Hole Tavern closes earlier but is a lovely spot for a pint in the evening.
Your options are a little narrower in the North Falmouth area. However, Bucatino Restaurant and Wine Bar has one of the Cape’s most diverse wine menus, and you’re a short distance from additional options in Cataumet.
Heading Out in Sandwich
Sandwich is one of the oldest towns in the country, but that doesn’t prevent it from having some nightlife options.
One of the Cape’s most unique bars is called Off the Grid, a BBQ spot with burgers, brisket, wings, ribs, pulled pork, and, of course, beer. Off the Grid restaurant is entirely outdoors, as it’s a food truck with a permanent location in downtown Sandwich. This setup makes it feel like you’re at a backyard BBQ, ensuring your night gets off to a great start.
Another option worth exploring in Sandwich is Tree House Brewing Company, which has a location on the shores of First Beach overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Remember that you’ll need a reservation to get a spot at Tree House Brewing, but the view over the Bay makes it worth the effort.
In East Sandwich, Father’s Kitchen & Taphouse has 41 beers on tap, including many local options. There’s a full bar and a diverse food menu, too, making it worth a stop during your night out.
Mashpee’s Nightlife Scene
Most of Mashpee’s nightlife is near Mashpee Commons, which also acts as the town’s main commercial area.
Dino’s Sports Bar sits just west of Mashpee Commons and is a great place to catch the game or grab a beer. They also have a patio and feature live music in the summer.
The Wicked Restaurant and Wine Bar is a little more upscale, making it an excellent location for foodies to grab a meal. It also has over 20 wines by the glass, 13 beers on tap, and a craft cocktail menu.
Perhaps the top spot for a night out in Mashpee is The Lanes Bowl & Bistro. Here, you can have dinner and drinks, do some bowling, and enjoy live music at the same location. The Lanes Bowl & Bistro is a special place that is sure to become a highlight of your time on the Cape if you give it a try.
Fun on Cape Cod
The Upper Cape’s nightlife scene probably won’t be the main reason to come to this part of the world, but it has enough going on to give you multiple entertainment options every night of the week. You’ll never have to travel far to reach most of these venues either because they’re sprinkled throughout the Upper Cape’s four towns.
Get out there and take advantage of these great Upper Cape venues during your next vacation to the region.
