10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Destin

Margaritaville is arguably the most legendary name on the line-up of good-time bars that make their home in Destin. The resort's outlet of the famous chain huddles down on vibrant Harbor Boulevard. It should be easy to reach after just a short detour off the US 98 Highway.

Delve in to be greeted with a hodgepodge of Caribbean-inspired décor and paraphernalia – think bamboo chairs and make-believe palm trees. There's a fantastic view out across the boat-bobbing marina from the drinking deck, too. The drinks list touts all sorts of mango-infused, lemon-topped margaritas, along with spiced-rum moonshines and dry Californian white wines.

The Harbor Boardwalk is an energetic quarter of Destin, especially when the sun dips below the horizon. Romantic walks here are bolstered by sweeping views of the cotton-white beaches and the soothing salt airs of the Mexican Gulf.

After enjoying some classic Southern comfort food in oyster shacks and gumbo kitchens, this is the place to come for a dose of nightlife. Famous names like Margaritaville pop up with long cocktail menus on one corner, while wine bars and taquerias run by Destin locals dot the other. You'll find the Harbor Boardwalk bending along the coast between the marina and the entrance to Choctawhatchee Bay.

Destin Laser Tag offers action and fun for the whole family. The arena sits in a large plot on Highway 98, around just 10 minutes' drive from the HarborWalk. That makes it easy to reach after an evening of deep-fried shrimps down by the marina, and a great choice for groups looking to finish the day with a dash of adrenaline-pumping fun.

The main draw is the eponymous laser tag game. That'll have you shooting your way to glory in a 4,000-sq-ft maze with neon lights and up to 40 other people. There's also a fully backlit mini-golf course with all manner of challenging putting holes. Completely indoors, Destin Laser Tag is a prime option for rainy evenings on the Florida coast.

The HarborWalk Theater is the premier playhouse of Destin. As the name implies, it's one of the main attractions on the bustling HarborWalk, a hubbub of after-dinner activity that runs parallel to Harbour Boulevard right in the city’s core.

You'll need to check the box office ahead of time to see what's on at the HarborWalk Theater during your dates. However, if previous calendars are anything to go by, it's likely to be a mix of hypnotism, stand-up comedy and illusion. During the day, the theatre hosts magic workshops for younger ones.

McGuire's Irish Pub is the go-to spot for after-dinner folk music, foot-stomping Gaelic fun, and watering sessions of whiskey and beer in Destin. Sitting at the western end of the HarborWalk, it's a cracking option for a nightcap after you've dined in the local seafood shacks by the boats.

When it comes to imbibing, you can pick between heavy Irish stouts and red root beers, not to mention a whole load of American and European wines and mixed cocktails. There's food, in the form of hearty pub grub and sweet desserts. Also, get ready for a medley of local fingerpicking and banjo-plucking country musicians on the entertainment front.

AMC – or the AMC at Destin Commons 14 – is a fine spot to get your fix of the silver screen between sessions on the silver-sanded beaches of the Sunshine State. You'll find it amid the retail outlets of the Destin Commons Mall, just a whisker off US Highway 98, the main road going through the town. 

Multiple screens show the crème-de-la-crème of Hollywood's latest blockbusters. For something extra special, opt for the IMAX experience at the AMC. It costs a little extra but cranks up the immersion to new dizzying heights.

The Craft Bar is a great place to sample some of the finest hops-filled brews this corner of Florida has to offer. The watering hole sits in the Paradise Key Shopping Center, between the 293 and the 98 roadways, close to the major Destin Commons mall.

It's open until at least 10 pm every day of the week, which should leave you plenty of time for sampling the taps after your dinner in Destin. When it comes to said taps, the offering changes all the time. Will it be a zingy IPA with lemon undertones? Will it be a heavy coffee stout with a milky top? Oh, and everything from a Moscow Mule to a Southern smoked Old Fashioned is on the cocktail card, just in case you're not into beer.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf sits on the northern edge of the golfing mecca of Miramar. It takes you east of Destin, right by the reflective waters of Choctawhatchee Bay. Expect a drive of around 30 minutes if you're heading in from the HarborWalk entertainment district.

Those who make the journey will be rewarded with a wholesome and fun-filled enclave of shops, eateries and bars. The whole place is spread over a quaint quayside, filled with painted shacks and old fisherman cottages turned venues. Summertime events especially are plentiful at Baytowne, with evenings of rock and roll, jazz, and wine tastings on the calendar.

The Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack is bound to get the hips a-twisting and the toes a-tapping. Occupying in a neon-hazed building with timber-clad walls on the Emerald Coast Pkwy, it’s just a stone's throw from the main coast road and the Destin Commons.

Here, regular live bands – usually from 7 pm onwards – combine with happy hour deals to get the good vibes flowing each evening. So, prepare for a medley of twangy Delta blues and Southern country, big band and bebop. All that's topped off with a menu of Floridian comfort fare, gulf seafood bites, and affordable drinks deals.