10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in South Padre Island

Clayton’s Beach Bar is the largest oceanfront venue in South Padre Island and draws a raucous crowd of 20-something revellers nightly. The spot is particularly popular as an open-air live music venue, where local bands belt out rocking tunes to the sweeping Gulf of Mexico views. Come during Spring Break and you’ll find non-stop party vibes through both the day and night.

Staff whip up an array of delicious cocktails – one favourited by many is the technicoloured Tsumani, which packs a serious punch. Although drinks are a little on the pricey side, at least you get a cool souvenir cup with each purchase.

Local outfit Southern Wave have made waves in South Padre with their Original Sunset Dinner Cruise, a sought-after sailing tour combining hearty cuisine with spectacular vistas and bottomless booze. The luxurious 48-ft catamaran departs South Padre Island to ply the smooth waters of Laguna Madre as the sun sets over the horizon. It’s worth it for the views alone, as the wide Texas sky puts on a spellbinding show on the glistening bay.

Come supper time, you’ll get to indulge in tasty cuisine like chicken and beef fajitas, grilled shrimp, and fresh fruit. It’s ‘bring your own beer’, so remember to stock up on the mainland. During the summer months, the tour offers unbeatable views of the fireworks display each Tuesday.

Louie’s Backyard is a South Padre Island institution – the vibrant, retro-themed bar and diner is the busiest watering hole on the Laguna Madre Coast. Most folks come here for sunset to enjoy the fresh seafood with a cocktail or 2, but there’s plenty of action to appease the after-dinner crowd as well.

DJs and live bands belt out bangers on the beachfront dancefloor, while a cosy sports bar packs out with fans during the bigger games. On fireworks night – every Tuesday during the summer – you’ll probably need to make a reservation because Louie’s is the most popular point in town to watch the show.

LongBoard Bar and Grill is your quintessential South Padre hangout, a surfing-inspired waterfront spot with gnarly food, drinks, and tunes. Its superb location directly facing Laguna Madre makes it a hit with the sunset crowd, many of whom stick around to watch the fireworks pop during the summer months.

LongBoard stays open for a couple of hours longer than the other big west-facing venue, Louie’s Backyard, making it an obvious option when you want to kick on. The live band, who perform on a spectacular stage perched precariously over the sea, work music fans into a frenzy well into the evening – a fun night out is all but guaranteed. Oh, and don’t miss their piña coladas, which are divine.

Padre Island Brew Co. is the one-stop-shop for beer lovers on a visit to South Padre Island. The homely microbrewery is a hit for serving up the tastiest suds in town, and you can work your way through 5 at a time with their decadent taster flights. Unlike other sampler paddles, these come in decent-sized glasses, so you’ll have a buzz on by the time you’re done.

Although the venue doesn’t boast a beautiful beachfront location, the upstairs balcony does offer city and sea views with a pleasant ocean breeze. Downstairs, a couple of flat-screen TVs play important fixtures to a local crowd.

Wanna Wanna - Beach Bar & Grill is attached to the hotel of the same name and serves drinks to the public well into the evening. The breezy, open-air, tiki-style bar serves an array of colourful cocktails (try the Tropical Wanna Wanna) to complement its fun Caribbean theme. Frothy craft beers and an extensive wine list complete the booze menu.

If you’re still feeling peckish, Wanna Wanna makes a decent selection of pub grub and bar snacks, though the food is a little pricey as the joint is connected to a hotel. Live bands do their thing on weekend afternoons the whole year-round.

Classic Irish-American bar Kelly’s Irish Pub has been serving thirsty (and hungry) patrons in South Padre Island for as long as anyone can remember. Rich dark wood décor and soft lighting add a sense of authenticity to the place, which complements the big pints of Guinness and traditional Irish cuisine. Sick of beer? Try their spicy Bloody Mary with a pickle shot instead.

There’s plenty of entertainment to keep punters amused, including a row of electronic dartboards and a pool table. DJs occasionally spin tunes on weekends, but for the most part, it’s a casual hangout space to mingle and converse.

Tequila Sunset Bar & Grill is a top spot for party-crazed travellers to enjoy an epic night out. The best thing about this bayside venue is it serves an excellent array of cocktails, including their signature creation, the Tequila Sunset – best quaffed at dusk.

Live bands take the stage almost every night during the summer season, and revellers can watch the Tuesday night fireworks explode over the bay. The service, on the whole, is impeccable, and guests can sit inside in relative quiet should they fancy a more subdued vibe.