Lincoln After Dark: A City Alive with Music, Flavor, and Surprise

by Jesse Starita • photos by Tom Tidball

To some, nightlife in Lincoln may bring to mind cookie-cutter bars and uninspiring entertainment. But the reality on the ground is far different. Like a craft cocktail, Lincoln’s after-dark scene brims with variety, sophistication, and a dash of surprise. To help you sample what our nightlife has to offer, here’s a menu that presents several Lincoln specialties: live music, date night offerings, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Let’s start with Lincoln’s live local music scene.

Live Music

14th Street, between N and P streets, is the heart and soul of the city’s live local music scene. Last year, the city of Lincoln gave this distinctly Lincoln place, a distinctly Lincoln name: Boehmer Street. That designation honors the legacy of longtime Zoo Bar Owner Larry Boehmer and reflects the lively music scene that has long shaped Lincoln’s unique sound and spirit.

The Zoo Bar (136 N. 14th Street) opened its doors in 1973 and is still going strong today. That’s thanks in large part to current owner Pete Watters, who has led the bar into the 21st century while preserving its history. What began as a blues haven during the disco era is now a multi-faceted venue for stand-up comedy, karaoke, local music, and, of course, blues. Its tiny but hallowed stage has hosted the likes of Buddy Guy, Bo Didley, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, and Magic Slim. Handbills from those shows, weathered by time, grime, beer, and cigarette smoke, serve as the bar’s wallpaper and archival vault. While there are many other excellent live music venues downtown, like Duffy’s, 1867 Bar, and Bourbon Theater, let’s venture to another historic Lincoln venue.

When it first opened its doors in 1933, The Royal Grove (340 West Cornhusker Hwy) was a fried chicken joint. Over the years, The Grove, which bills itself as “Vegas in Nebraska,” has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment. Today, the club is owned by husband-and-wife duo Violet Rowell and Alexandru Grigorescu, who came to America from Romania on a tennis scholarship. Since taking the helm in 2023, the duo has invested more than $2 million into extensive renovations, transforming the venue into a modern, sleek nightclub. Those renovations set the stage for unforgettable recent performances by artists like Steve Aoki, rapper Soulja Boy, and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who spins records as DJ Diesel.

Date Night

Occasions like date night call for a different type of venue. Luckily, Lincoln has plenty of quieter places in which romance and intimacy come naturally. One of them is The Sitch (1140 “O” Street), which is the brainchild of Lincoln restaurateur and chef Rachel McGill. As a sister concept to McGill’s other establishment, Dish, The Sitch puts a modern spin on classic cocktails. As you sip on nightcaps like Heat Wave (tequila, grapefruit, and gochujang-guava syrup), curl up on a leather couch with that special someone and admire the colorful glowing orbs above. These floating heirlooms pay tribute to the former inhabitant of this space — the much beloved Marz Bar.  

A few blocks away, in the heart of the Haymarket, sits Tavern on the Square at 816 P Street. The square is a reference to the surrounding brick buildings from the late 1800s, a time when the Haymarket was rapidly developing into a warehouse district. Sixteen years ago, Tavern owner Matt Taylor transformed that square into a lush courtyard featuring trees, a rustic fountain, and plenty of outdoor seating. Adjacent to that courtyard is The Other Room, a tiny speakeasy perfect for hushed conversations and stiff drinks. If you can’t find the place, just look for the large wooden door with the brass lion door knocker. 

Off The Beaten Path

Lincoln is a city of neighborhoods — each with their own proud history and identity. As one of Lincoln’s oldest neighborhoods, University Place has a rich heritage but retains a forward-thinking character. The Leighton District at the corner of North 48th and Leighton Street is a prime example. The revitalized area is home to Leighton’s Pub, a large bar that features an arcade, board games, trivia nights, wood-fired pizza, and weekend brunches. A perfect spot for students from the nearby University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus and Nebraska Wesleyan University, or those who are young at heart.

In Nebraska, corn comes to mind before wine. But over the past few years, several vineyards have popped up across the state, including Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery in Palmyra, Nebraska, a short drive from Lincoln. Glacial Till offers a staggering variety of wine and hard ciders, as well as a beautiful setting for consuming said beverages. During the summer, the vineyard hosts Fermented Fridays, featuring craft brews, a local band, and multiple food trucks. Roll out a blanket on the berm, sip a glass of wine, and soak up the live music as the sun dips behind the stage and the rolling hills in the distance. This location is open to the public from June to August. For the year-round experience, visit Glacial Till’s Tasting Room in Ashland.

Conclusion

There’s so much to do in and around Lincoln. Whether you’re in town for a concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena or a lifelong resident who wants to try someplace new, Lincoln glows in the dark. It gives you a chance to illuminate the night in your own way.