More than half of the residents in this area are retirees, so it shouldn't be a surprise that, even on weekends, this town retires early. Hotel lounges often have live music and a good bar scene, however, especially in high season, and sometimes stay open as late as 1am, if you're lucky. For beachside drinks, go to the Driftwood Resort.
A mostly 30-something and younger crowd goes to Bombay Louie's, 398 21st St., Vero Beach (tel. 772/978-0209), where a DJ spins dance music after 9pm Wednesday through Saturday.
Vero Beach is also known as an artsy enclave, hosting galleries such as the Admiralty Gallery, 3315 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach (tel. 772/231-3178). The Civic Arts Center, at Riverside Park, is a hub of culture; it includes the Riverside Theatre (tel. 772/231-6990), the Agnes Wahlstrom Youth Playhouse (tel. 772/234-8052), and the Center for the Arts (tel. 772/231-0707), known for films and an excellent lecture series.
In Sebastian, you'll find live music every weekend (and daily in season) at Captain Hiram's, 1606 N. Indian River Dr. (tel. 772/589-4345), a salty outdoor restaurant and bar on the Intracoastal Waterway that locals and tourists love at all hours of the day and night (well, until it closes at 11pm, that is). The feel is tacky Key West, complete with a sand floor and thatched-roof bar.
North of the inlet, head for the tried-and-true Sebastian Beach Inn (SBI to locals), 7035 S. Fla. A1A (tel. 321/728-4311), for live music on weekends. Jazz, blues, or sometimes rock 'n' roll starts at 9pm on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, it's old-style reggae after 2pm. The inn is open daily for drinks from 11am until anytime between midnight and 2am.
