Tired of the bar scene? Check out these 12 late-night places to hang out with friends

In 2025, the Gallup Poll, which has tracked drinking behavior in the U.S. since 1939, reported its lowest percentage ever for adults who say they drink alcohol. The reported percentage has fallen from 62% in 2023 to 54% in 2025.

With those changing figures, there may also be more interest in finding activities that don’t revolve around alcoholic beverages. And while nonalcoholic beer and mocktails are popping up often, if locals want an alternative to bars and breweries, there are several places to go for late-night hangout sessions in San Diego County.

This guide provides 12 places to congregate for those who enjoy arts and culture, music, sports and amusement parks. These venues and events are open until at least 8 p.m.

Art and culture

Art After Dark: In 2001, Matt D’Arrigo founded A Reason To Survive or ARTS, an organization that hosts various creative programs and workshops in National City. The programs are intended to offer creative spaces for youth. One of these is Art After Dark, creative workshops led by ARTS staff. Some of the past activities included oil pastel painting, piñata making, magazine collages, textile workshop, tote bag creation and themed painting nights. Workshops are held on Fridays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and prices per class vary. 200 E. 12th St., National City. 619-297-2787, areasontosurvive.org/arts-after-dark

Lestat’s on Adams Avenue: For fans of coffee shops and creative spaces, there is Lestat’s on Adams Avenue. Customers can get coffee, tea, or pastries while hanging out and catching up with friends during weekly events. There are open mic nights on Mondays from 6 to 10 p.m. and comedy nights on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. 3343 Adams Ave., San Diego. 619-282-0437, lestats.com

San Diego Poetry Slam: On the second Monday of every month, San Diego Poetry Slam welcomes the public to test their skills on the mic. This monthly event is a poetry competition, not an open mic. The public can either sit in the audience and listen to the poets or compete. For those who want to enter the poetry slam, there will be a signup sheet at the beginning of the night with six open slots. All poets should have ready at least three original poems and each poem must be under three minutes and 10 seconds. A panel of judges will score each competitor based on a point system. Tickets are $5 for the San Diego Poetry Slam, and it’s hosted at Queen Bee’s in North Park. The show starts at 8 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m. 3925 Ohio St., San Diego. 619-255-5147, sdpoetryslam.org 

San Diego Natural History Museum: On certain Fridays, the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park extends its hours until 10 p.m. for Nat at Night. Visitors can explore the museum, take part in trivia games and sip nonalcoholic beverages on the rooftop. Also, the Craft Taco sells food and desserts in the museum’s atrium. Plus, it’s half price to enter the museum after 5 p.m. on Fridays. 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. 619-232-3821, sdnhm.org/calendar/nat-at-night 

Bonus tip: The Mingei International Museum at Balboa Park is open until 8 p.m. on Friday, including Artifact, the restaurant inside. Also, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, in La Jolla, hosts a quarterly event, a jazz night with Future is Color, where the museum stays open until 9 p.m.

Music lovers

Fam Jam: Listen to San Diego musicians freestyle with their friends in an impromptu jam session at the San Diego Mission Bay Resort every first Monday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. The free, family-friendly event called Fam Jam showcases a house band with drummers, guitarists, keyboardists, saxophonists and more. Local singers and other musicians will pull up spontaneously and perform original songs and jam out in a freestyle session. 1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego. Free. instagram.com/thafamjam

Karaoke: Spot KTV in Convoy District is a place for foodies and singers. This venue serves Taiwanese and Chinese food and provides karaoke rooms. The food menu includes Taiwanese beef noodles, fish tofu, fried chicken, lamb skewers kimchi fried rice and garlic cucumber salad. Karaoke rooms vary in size and offer songs in English, Korean, Mandarin and Japanese. The venue is for those 18 years and older. Spot KTV is open until 2 a.m. Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 7327 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. 858-268-1588, spot-ktv.com-place.com 

Sofar Sounds: To find an intimate space to meet with friends and enjoy music, follow Sofar Sounds San Diego. This group hosts various live music events in various small venues throughout the county at least twice a month. The shows feature musicians, mostly from Southern California, in numerous spaces such as coffee shops, rooftop housing complexes, community spaces and boutique clothing stores. The concerts are meant to be intimate and secretive, with locations announced only to those who purchase tickets 36 hours before the event. Prices vary per concert and night shows typically start at 8 p.m. sofarsounds.com/cities/san-diego 

The Jazz Lounge: In the College Area, there is a venue hosting a variety of jazz bands and musicians most nights of the week. The Jazz Lounge brings in local artists and touring jazz musicians, playing various genres of jazz from Latin and folk to funk and classical jazz. The Jazz Lounge also hosts holiday concerts and tribute nights. Past shows have included tributes to Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis. Concerts start times vary, with several evening shows starting after 8 p.m. Ticket prices vary per event. 6818 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, 619-368-9374, thejazzlounge.live

Sports activities and amusement parks

Aztec Lanes: Get somewhat of a college experience at Aztec Lanes on the campus of San Diego State University. It opens to the public after 2 p.m. and offers open bowling for $5 per game and shoe rentals for $3. Visitors can reserve single or multiple lanes and can host large parties or private events. There is also table tennis, air hockey, gaming consoles and billiard tables for rent at $6 per hour. Aztec Lanes is open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and midnight Thursday through Saturday. 6075 Aztec Circle Drive, San Diego. 619-594-2695, azteclanes.sdsu.edu 

Belmont Park: For 100 years, Belmont Park has been entertaining guests in Mission Beach. The amusement park features seven acres of entertainment, such as the 100-year-old Giant Dipper roller coaster, carnival-style games, laser tag, a zip line, a rock climbing wall and an indoor public pool. Belmont Park also contains restaurants, a food court and retail shops. Belmont Park is normally open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. 858-488-1549, belmontpark.com 

Boomers: In North County, Boomers in Vista is equipped with family-friendly activities for those with a competitive spirit. Attractions include miniature golf, go-kart races, bumper boats and batting cages. There are also numerous arcade games, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, customers can play for half price. Plus, there is a Jonny Rockets restaurant inside selling burgers, fries and milkshakes. Boomers is open until 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 1525 West Vista Way, Vista. 760-457-4737, boomersvista.com 

Ringer’s Roller Rink: Bring skates or roller blades and glide around with friends at Ringer’s Roller Rink in Encanto. This outdoor roller rink plays all genres of music on its speakers and hosts guest DJs on certain nights. There are also theme nights, skating classes, rentals and roller derby games. The venue is open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 6060 Federal Blvd., San Diego. 619-255-5666, ringersrollerrink.com