Long Island beaches after hours: Free admission, live music and more

Local beaches offer visitors more than just surf and sand. Some feature eateries, live music, playgrounds and spray parks to keep beachgoers entertained day into night. Although town beaches are open only to residents during the day, come the evening, many parking rules end, the lifeguards are off duty and all residents are welcome to enjoy the amenities. 

Here are four Long Island beaches open to all once the sun sets.

Tobay Beach 

1 Ocean Pkwy., Massapequa

SCENE: The Boat Yard has a short row of concession-style food kiosks. There’s also a large bar and an elevated stage where bands play and a dedicated dance floor. Adult beverages include beer, wine, cocktails and frozen drinks. Outside is a second restaurant dubbed the Surf Shack, which has dining and a bar. People can also set up chairs and blankets along the bay. Food and drinks can be brought to seats on the sand. 

ENTERTAINMENT: Live music starts 7 p.m. most days; closed Tuesday; 4 p.m. Sundays.

FUN AMENITIES: The bay beach is open to all ages and visitors are allowed to hang there after dusk. There’s a playground and a sprinkler park, which is turned off by 5 p.m., but kids are allowed to continue to climb the obstacles. The Boat Yard is open to all ages for dining until 7 p.m., when it goes 21-and-over and costs $10 to enter for nonresidents. Town of Oyster Bay residents are admitted for free.

PARKING: Free after 5 p.m. 

SUNSET FACTOR: The view here puts the sun over South Oyster Bay and the Wantagh Parkway; look carefully and the Manhattan skyline comes into view. 

MORE INFO: 516-324-8474, theboatyardny.com

Cedar Beach (Brookhaven Town)

223 Harbor Beach Rd., Mount Sinai

SCENE: Tiki Joe’s is perched on a pavilion that has a small seating area reserved for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. daily, and a full bar where people can hang out. Bands play on a small stage facing the bar. People can also set up chairs, blankets and tables on the beach. Guests may purchase food to eat on the sand. 

ENTERTAINMENT: Live music starting at 6 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and select Tuesdays. 

FUN AMENITIES: There’s a playground at the east end of the facility and a basketball court at the west end, plus a pair of cornhole boards near the pavilion. The restaurant has no cover charge and is open to all ages. 

PARKING: Residents and nonresidents without a parking permit must pay to park until 10 p.m. Parking fees (credit/debit card only) are $4 hourly Mondays through Thursdays, $5 hourly Fridays through Sundays (and holidays); daily rates are $20 Mondays through Thursdays, $25 Fridays through Sundays (and holidays). 

SUNSET FACTOR: The sun sets over Long Island Sound with the bluffs off McAllister County Park to the west; the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson ferry can occasionally be spotted crossing in the distance.

MORE INFO: 631-743-9410, tikijoes.com

Jones Beach State Park

1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh

SCENE: The park hosts live free sunset events daily (around 8 p.m.) in the bandshell located along the boardwalk at Field 4. Shows include concerts, dancing and DJ sessions. Next to the bandshell, there’s a concession stand and a bar at the Yummier Beach Club, which serves adult beverages. Bring chairs to sit inside the bandshell seating area or on park benches along the surrounding boardwalk. The Beach Club bar sells drinks until the live events begin.

FUN AMENITIES: The West Games section features mini golf ($7, $3 ages 5-12), bocce ball ($10 per person per hour), cornhole ($5 per person per hour), pickleball and paddle tennis ($6 per person per hour), table tennis ($5 per person per hour), shuffleboard ($8 per person per hour) and volleyball ($15 per court per hour) daily until 11 p.m.

Visitors can also drop into the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center at West End 2 for free daily until 4:30 p.m., except on Thursdays when the hours extend to 8 p.m. For another adventurous experience, the WildPlay aerial adventure park is located where the Central Mall meets the boardwalk. Open to guests ages 5 and older, it includes such obstacles as a 40-foot jump and a 700-foot-long high-speed zip line, as well as a kids-only course. WildPlay is open daily until 8 p.m. through Labor Day; prices start at $34.98. Grab a meal at Gatsby on the Ocean, a restaurant and bar located at the park's West Bath House. It's an event space, but when not booked for private parties, the public can drop in until 9 p.m. daily.

PARKING: Free starting at 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 6 p.m. weekends and holidays

SUNSET FACTOR: Facing the Atlantic means the sun sets behind the bandshell and boardwalk, but people who position themselves east of the iconic water tower can catch some spectacular photos when the sky is clear.

MORE INFO: 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov

Cedar Beach (Babylon Town)

100 Cedar Beach Way, Babylon

SCENE: Salt Shack is a two-level structure, with a bar, dining and dancing space on both floors. Bands play a full, elevated stage that sits before a dedicated dance floor. There’s also a sandy courtyard where patrons can dine away from the show and bars. Beyond the shack, the beach is a brief walk away. Guests may purchase food and drinks and bring them to their seats on the sand.

ENTERTAINMENT: Live music is planned for seven nights a week on the beach. This summer's live entertainment includes Monday DJ starting at 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday live music starting at 7 p.m., Friday DJ from 5 p.m. and live music starting at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday live music starting at 4 p.m.

FUN AMENITIES: There’s a playground and basketball court, plus 70 volleyball courts where leagues play Mondays through Fridays, but are open to the public when not in use. The beach and its amenities are open to all ages, but Salt Shack is 21-and-over starting at 6 p.m.; no cover charge.

PARKING: Free after 4 p.m. 

SUNSET FACTOR: This is also an Atlantic Ocean-facing beach, so the sun sets behind the shack and its nearby dunes. 

MORE INFO: 631-422-7222, saltshackny.com