78.5 F
Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

What are your favorite late night spots in Ocala?

Despite not being as large and lively a metropolitan area as its neighbors to the south in The Villages, there are a slate of late night dining, drinking and entertainment options in Ocala that might make residents argue otherwise.

That’s because unlike The Villages, where only one or two options to eat and drink become available after midnight, Ocala has options scattered throughout the city in downtown, along College Road 200, and on Silver Springs Boulevard that will satisfy any a night owl in search of late night libations and fun.

For those looking for late night drinking options, along College Road 200, Suite 306 is open on a daily basis from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. It offers a full cigar bar, equipped with a very large selection of cigars from around the United States. In downtown Ocala, O’Malleys Alley (24 SE Magnolia) is also open every day until 2 a.m. Both establishments allow smoking and both have an extensive offering of drink specials.

The Lodge, located along 36 S Magnolia, is another option serving food until later in the evening (10 p.m.), but drinks until at least midnight on most nights. Their menu features a variety of fancier bar foods, including a venison burger and gator bites.

Another late night option that just opened this month is Black Sheep on Broadway, located at 128 SW Broadway St. The restaurant and bar stays open until 2 a.m. each day (except Sunday, when it closes at 12 a.m.). It joined O’Malley’s and The Lodge as locations open late in downtown, 7 days a week.

The Black Sheep on Broadway officially opened on Saturday, October 12
The Black Sheep on Broadway officially opened on Saturday, October 12

Charlie Horse, which earlier this summer was embroiled in a Heptatis A scare before the owner announced the sale of the business, is open every day beginning at 11 a.m. and stays open until 1:30 a.m. The restaurant features karaoke every day and drink specials, as well as an outdoor patio area.

Charlie Horse in Ocala
Charlie Horse at 2426 E Silver Springs Blvd is up for sale

If you are interested in playing billiards, there are multiple late night options that remain open into the wee hours. Downtown Billiards is open every day from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. and offers an entire room filled with billiards tables. The pool hall allows smoking and has a full bar and regular drink specials. Close by, Time Out Billiards and Grill, located at 618 S Pine Avenue, is open every day from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., staying open until 2 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday. And along East Silver Springs Boulevard, Boulevard Billiards stays open until 12:30 a.m. every day and until 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Downtown Billiards in Ocala, Florida
Downtown Billiards in Ocala, Florida

For those strictly looking for food, there are quite a few options all throughout the city.  Along both East and West Silver Springs Boulevard there are a variety of fast food options open late (i.e., until 12 a.m.), with some remaining open 24 hours including McDonald’s and Denny’s and Wawa.

Waffle House offers two late night locations that are at the intersections of I-75 with both West Silver Springs Boulevard and State Road 200. Those two options remain open 24 hours, in addition to another option at the intersection of I-75 and State Road 200, Steak n Shake. Adjacent to the interstate and only ten-minute drives from the downtown area, all three diners offer quick, cheap, and freshly prepared food. Their counterpart, Darrell’s Diner, also has a 24-hour location near downtown, adjacent to another one of the many Wawas (1001 S Pine Avenue).

Waffles at Waffle House in Ocala, Florida
Waffle House has two locations at the intersections of I-75 with both 200 and Silver Springs Boulevard
Waffle House in Ocala, Florida
Waffle House is open 24 hours and offers diner style food

Just this past Spring, the late night dining options grew by a few, as Wawa opened locations all across Ocala that provide a 24-hour spot equipped with outside seating and a menu that features hoagies, soups, smoothies and shakes.

Four Wawas that opened earlier this year have provided additional late night dining options throughout Ocala

With all of the options available, we wanted to ask our readers where they like to eat, drink, and just hang out after a night of fun with friends, or after coming back home from the beach, or maybe just to step out of the house for a bit.

Share your comments, your photos, and your letters with us on which spots you like to visit late night. You can also share your comments and messages through our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.