Daytime adventures are just the beginning. When the sun slips behind the Black Hills, Rapid City lights up with a unique nightlife scene full of personality and fun. Whether you’re looking to keep the post-exploration energy going, settle into something more relaxed or find that perfect in-between, the city has plenty of places to recharge and reconnect.
This article is sponsored by Visit Rapid City.
Local Brews & Craft Cocktails
Lost Cabin Beer Co. starts the night with tasty Lord Grizzly pours, live music and some unexpected flavors that pair perfectly with your unique journey. Take on trivia, pinball or music bingo at Cohort Craft Brewery with a traditional German lager or daring mead. Woodland Republic Brewing & Blending keeps the fun rolling with more music bingo, trivia and free video games. Brewed with coffee beans, their Blackberry Percolate makes it easy to stay caffeinated and continue your journey into the late hours.
Windsor Block stirs up rotating cocktails in an upscale setting, with a towering bottle wall and fresh takes on classics, like a bourbon-spiked amaretto sour or a floral, fruit-infused mule. Perched atop the Hotel Alex Johnson, Juniper at The Vertex Sky Bar serves up open views of Rapid City with rooftop cocktails like bold espresso martinis to Szechuan-spiced old-fashioneds. For something more intimate and tucked away, head to The Blind Lion Speakeasy on Fridays and Saturdays for private club vibes with friends.
Where to Catch Live Music
Known as the region’s entertainment hub, The Monument is a monumental venue that draws big-name acts and major events, with past and upcoming performances from artists like Chris Stapleton and Whiskey Myers. For a more local feel, Main Street Square’s Live on the Lawn lights up Wednesday evenings in summer with blues, country, alt-rock and more. If you’re looking to slow things down, Firehouse Wine Cellars offers a laid-back atmosphere with live jazz or piano performances pairing perfectly with wines crafted from their local vineyard. Sip a full glass or sample notes of sour cherry, juniper berry or toasted oak as the music sets a magical mood.
Late-Night Eats
Lead your sweet tooth to Armadillo’s Ice Cream Shoppe Inc., where you’ll find frozen treats, cheesecake and specialty or build-your-own sundaes. Go for something like a s'mores sundae with hot fudge, or pile on fruity and chocolate toppings — bananas and peanut butter cups, anyone? For something heartier, Independent Ale House has specialty pizzas and 50 different beers flowing until close. Try traditional pies or unique creations like a pickle-based pizza or one that tastes like a jalapeno popper with raspberry preserves. Pair your perfect pie with a Belgian-style ale, crisp cider or something imperial. Moviegoers head over to Elks Theatre, a 1912-built gem, to catch the latest films on South Dakota’s biggest movie screen. The pizza, hot dogs and legendary popcorn make for a perfect mix of snacks with screen time.
Own the night in Rapid City.
