Nightlife in Ocean City

Ocean City Nightlife

Ocean City, New Jersey is a popular tourist destination thanks to its wide beachfront, world-famous boardwalk and great summer weather. The town is also known for having prohibited the sale of alcohol since its founding, however, and as a result it can be a bit challenging to navigate the local nightlife scene.

Getting Alcohol in a Dry Town

Due to the religious beliefs of the city’s founders, Ocean City has been a dry town since its conception. So where do tourists of legal age go to get alcohol? Outside the city’s limits. Fortunately, New Jersey towns tend to overlap and run together, and so you don’t have to venture very far to find a bar or liquor store. Most options are going to be back on the mainland on the bay side, particularly in Somer’s Point where there are numerous bars and pubs. For those looking for wilder fun, Atlantic City is less than a 30-minute drive south.

House Parties

While the sale of alcohol may be prohibited, possession of it is not. Many people choose to purchase alcohol elsewhere and then throw parties at vacation homes (or those of locals) on the island. So, make some new friends or plan your own soiree to get things going once the sun goes down.

Family Night

Nightlife doesn’t necessarily have to involve alcohol, and Ocean City has long aimed to be friendly towards people of all age. Thursday night is “Family Night”, and this means plenty of activities well into the evening for young and old alike. Grab your friends and family and head to the boardwalk to see performers and participate in games.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about nightlife in Ocean City.