Local nightlife can be divided into two categories: inside or outside. Many of our nightspots offer you a choice of staying inside or enjoying a water view in an outdoor lounge. For those who prefer to be outdoors, which our area's mild climate allows most of the year, there are harbor cruises, the beach and deck bars. Besides the many waterfront bars, several local boats offer sunset trips or dinner cruises. Check our Fishing, Watersports and Beach Access chapter for more information about entertainment cruises.

Shagging to beach music is very popular here, and many clubs on the beach cater to shaggers. The shag is a type of dance that was probably a derivative of the beach bop, although it is smoother and done to rhythm and blues or North Carolina's own beach music. The dance is basically an eight-step, alternate-step that has a definite rhythm and distinct appearance. A few local beach clubs offer shagging lessons on certain week nights. If you would like to spend part of your Friday nights learning the beach shag and country line dancing, call Emerald Isle Park and Recreation, (252) 354-6350. There is a fee for these lessons; the amount depends on who is teaching. You can also choose instruction in waltz, fox trot, tango, cha-cha and rhumba.