6 Buzzy Carmel Nightspots Open Late

Some may think that since Carmel has a relatively small population, with just over 34,000 at last count, there’s not much to do around town after the sun goes down. However, that is absolutely untrue, as Carmel surprisingly offers a nice variety of nightlife and activities for those who like to stay out late.

If you’re looking for a big night out with friends or your significant other, or you want to show off Carmel to visitors from out of town, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite nightlife destinations in town to make your evening plans easier to put together. Whether you’re in the mood for a laidback lounge or a hopping, noisy bar, Carmel has something for you.

Fiddler’s Green Pub

If you’re looking for a local, laidback bar that’s almost always certain to be a good time, look no further than Fiddler’s Green Pub. This establishment has been around for years and is one of Carmel’s premier gathering places and most entertaining dive bars. The amusing, sometimes kitschy, Irish-themed bar is a wonderful place to kick back and relax with a large pint of Guinness and a plate of chicken wings.

People looking for a late night out will appreciate the pub’s late closing time. It’s open until 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 3 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, so you can keep the party going well into the night. Drop by and enjoy the friendly service, comfortable neighborhood vibe, and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Molly Darcy’s

Another great Irish pub and restaurant in the area, though it’s located a little further away in Danbury, is Molly Darcy’s. The pub is open until 1 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and until 2 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. This pub has a similar atmosphere to Fiddler’s Green Pub but a good deal more selection for bar food and menu items. Try a juicy burger or delicious shrimp po’boy.

In addition, Molly Darcy’s has fun bar games, such as pool, and some cool themed nights. Come by for Country Line Dancing on Tuesdays and Karaoke Night on Wednesdays. Swing by on Saturday to get a taste of some live music.

Spins Bowl

For a change of pace and something a little different, grab your friends and head out to the alleys at Spins Bowl. It has 26 new professional bowling lanes. But if you’re not a bowler, Spins Bowl offers over 50 video arcade games, air hockey, foosball tables, darts, and six axe throwing lanes.

The Carmel location of this establishment is over 30,000 square feet in area, so it can fit in all the fun you could want. You can also take a break from the games to enjoy the fully stocked kitchen and bar. Spins Bowl stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can enjoy the space all evening and sit down for a delicious meal and drinks at the bar.

Players Club

Open every day from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., the Players Club at the Brewster Ice Arena is a great gathering spot for night owls in town. Sports fans love coming here, as it’s one of the few tried and true sports bars in the area, with beer buckets and bourbon for fans who spend hours here while watching the game on one of the high-definition TVs around the bar. Come here with your friends to watch your favorite team play, then spend the rest of the evening enjoying classic bar eats, snacks, and a wide selection of beers on tap.

As a bonus, you can watch some teams live in the ice rink below the bar. That’s right, local hockey leagues play their games here, and anyone in the bar can sit or stand by the massive windows looking out into the ice rinks and root for their favorite upstate New York team.

McCarthy’s Family Eatery

The family-owned and operated McCarthy’s Family Eatery has been a staple in the Carmel area for years. The restaurant prides itself on its friendly service and tasty comfort food, making regular customers feel like they’re coming home instead of going out.

Try the French onion soup — a local favorite — or the shepherd’s pie. If you prefer more classic bar-and-grill food, the burgers on the menu are absolutely delicious. McCarthy’s outdoor area is usually full of diners in the spring and summer, as tables are moved outside to the patio near a small scenic waterfall. After you’re done with your meal, stay late into the night to taste the beers on tap and perhaps play a game of pool.

Tequila Escape

If you want to try something different from the usual Irish pub fare, burgers, and American comfort food in the Carmel area, head to Tequila Escape for another kind of menu. As you may have guessed from the name, Tequila Escape specializes in Latin Fusion cuisine and, of course, a whole lot of tequila.

Try the shrimp and tuna tacos, the quesadillas, and of course, as in every good Latin-inspired restaurant, the guacamole. If anyone in your group isn’t partial to Latin cuisine, don’t worry — there are still great American staples on the menu, including a classic burger. After you’re done with your meal, order one of the many margaritas served at Tequila Escape or try one of the specialty cocktails on the menu, such as the strawberry pico sour. The bartenders here are excellent, so you can get adventurous with which drinks and spirits you try.

Tequila Escape is open until 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Carmel has a small-town charm, but unlike other sleepy hamlets, it also has a range of late-night dining, drinks, and entertainment nightspots to enjoy. If we left your favorite Carmel spot off this list, contact us at Meadowland of Carmel and let us know, as we’d love to include it in a future post.

Photo Credit: Bar  by Helen Cook is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0