You won't find glitzy nightclubs on these family-oriented islands, but night owls do have places to roost at the resorts and restaurants listed. Here's a brief recap:
Sanibel Island -- The Sundial Beach Resort's Beaches Bar & Grill, 1451 Middle Gulf Dr. (tel. 239/472-4151), features entertainers during dinner, then live bands for dancing from 9pm on. The Patio Lounge, in the Jacaranda, 1223 Periwinkle Way (tel. 239/472-1771), attracts an affluent crowd of middle-agers and seniors to its live music every evening. McT's Tavern, 1523 Periwinkle Way (tel. 239/472-3161), has darts, video games, and a large-screen TV for sports fans. Other popular sports bars are the Sanibel Grill, 703 Tarpon Bay Rd. (tel. 239/472-4453), and the two Lazy Flamingo branches, at 1036 Periwinkle Way (tel. 239/472-6939) and 6520-C Pine Ave. (tel. 239/472-5353).
The Pirate Players, a group of professional actors, perform Broadway dramas and comedies from November to April in Sanibel's state-of-the-art, 150-seat J. Howard Wood Theatre, 2200 Periwinkle Way (tel. 239/472-4109). The Old Schoolhouse Theater, 1905 Periwinkle Way (tel. 239/472-6862; www.oldschoolhousetheater.com), complements its neighbor by offering Broadway musicals and revues from December to April. Call for the current schedule and prices.
Captiva Island -- Local songwriters perform their works nightly at R. C. Otter's Island Eats, 11500 Andy Rosse Lane (tel. 239/395-1142). The Crow's Nest Lounge, in the 'Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Road (tel. 239/472-5161), is Captiva's top nightspot for dancing. Chadwick's Lounge, at the entrance to the South Seas Resort (tel. 239/472-5111), has a large dance floor and music from 9pm on.