Napa Valley may be best known for its exceptional wines and golden hills. But after the tasting rooms have closed and the sun has set, a different side of Napa Valley starts to shine. Live music, exclusive brews, and brew-fueled bowling are only part of Napa’s lively nightlife scene.
If the theater is your thing, grab an early dinner at one of Napa Valley’s exceptional eateries before enjoying a show at the Lincoln Theatre in Yountville. Check the calendar for musicals, Symphony Napa Valley performances, ballets, and more. Constructed in 1880, the Napa Valley Opera House is one of the oldest structures in downtown Napa. Admire the brass chandeliers and a stained-glass skylight as you take in a show. On the first floor of the opera house, you’ll find the sleek club, Blue Note, where live music is paired with beer brewed on site and New American fare.
For more music, head down the street to Uptown Theater, where 1930s Art Deco design provides a backdrop for everything from rock bands to Irish step dancers. For an intimate experience, try the small venue Silo’s at the Napa River Inn. Headline your own show on weekly karaoke nights, hosted Tuesdays and Thursdays at Downtown Joe’s in Napa proper.
It would be a shame to relegate all those delicious Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays to daytime tastings only. Luckily, there are a number of wine bars where you can keep the party going. The Wine Thief in downtown Napa puts a spotlight on local, small-batch wines in a lounge-y setting. Head down the street to flip through the Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin’ BBQ’s extensive wine list and roll up your sleeves for some St. Louis-style ribs. Nearby Carpe Diem, Cadet, and Compline (helmed by Master Sommelier Matt Stamp) all serve bottles at the bar with snacks and larger bites.
If you’re feeling loose after a vino-filled day, show off your moves at Napkins Bar + Grill, which has one of the best dance floors in Napa. Crush Lounge at the Meritage Resort and Spa offers the opportunity to show off a different set of skills: indoor shuffleboard and six lanes of bowling are ready for playing. Don’t turn in too early, though, as nearby Calistoga: Hydro Bar & Grill plays 1980s music until 11:30 p.m. on weekends, while Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery stays open until 1 in the morning. A DJ spins fresh tunes as guests get their groove on while sipping on beers that come straight from the seven-barrel gas-fired brewhouse.