The Wildwoods come alive when the sun goes down

The array of clubs, bars and restaurants in the Wildwoods at night offer music, ambiance and settings appealing to all tastes

THE WILDWOODS - The exciting nightlife in the Wildwoods is as diverse as the people who visit the resort. From waterfront restaurants with casual deck dining and reggae music, to sports bars playing the top games of the night, to popular bands playing dance music in nightclubs, to solos and duos playing at the popular beach bars, the Wildwoods come alive when the sun goes down. 

Many of the bars and clubs throughout the Wildwoods offer great happy hour specials and an after-dark ambiance, so they’re a great place to unwind before or after a few hours on the Boardwalk. 

Some of the most popular night spots in the Wildwoods are those with outside decks overlooking the water. The casual, island atmosphere of these establishments situated along the harbor or bay always lends itself to great, relaxing times – perfect for kicking back and enjoying a margarita or Orange Crush in a tranquil setting. 

If you’re in the mood to get your groove on, you won’t have to look far to find live music at one of many establishments complementing their bar selections with a DJ or a live band. World-class entertainment in the Wildwoods is a tradition that dates to the Big Band era when names like Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Guy Lombardo were common atop the resort’s marquees. 

The tradition continued through the ‘50s with top headliners like Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, Sarah Vaughn, and Tony Bennett; and the ‘60s when Dick Clark brought his American Bandstand to the former Starlight Ballroom; Bill Haley and the Comets launched the country’s first Rock ‘n Roll hit single “Rock Around the Clock” from the stage of the Wildwood’s Hof Brau Hotel giving rise to the Wildwoods being known as “The Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll Music”; Chubby Checker introduced a new dance at the Rainbow Club in the Wildwoods called the Twist that would later take the country by storm; and the then up-and-coming star Bobby Rydell made the Wildwoods his summer home. 

Rydell’s affection for the Wildwoods was so great that he recorded what has become the resort’s anthem, “Wildwood Days,” where, as the song says, ‘every day is a holiday, and every night is a Saturday night!’ 

Entertainment is still the mainstay of the Wildwoods after dark, with live performers and bands taking center stage in many of the island’s nightclubs and outdoor concert venues. Although the Wildwoods have long been associated with “Doo Wop,” many other styles of music – young and old – have kept the Wildwoods’ nightlife popular with visitors. 

Whether you’re in the mood for oldies, Motown, country, alternative or today’s latest beats, you’re likely to find whatever music you’re looking for in the Wildwoods after dark. No matter what kind of mood you’re in, the array of clubs, bars, and restaurants in the Wildwoods at night offer music, ambiance, and settings appealing to all tastes truly adding to your vacation experience!

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.