Things to Do in Port Jefferson on a Friday Night Without Drinking

Port Jefferson on a Friday night is busy. The ferry is running, the restaurants fill up, and Main Street has people on it until late. A lot of the obvious plans run through a bar, though, and if you're sober, driving, under 21 or just not in the mood, it can feel like there's nothing left once dinner is over.

There's plenty. Here's how we'd plan a Friday in the village without a drink in anyone's hand, from somebody who works on East Main Street every week.

Start at the harbor

Get to the village before dark if you can. Park, walk down to the water and do a loop of the harborfront. Harborfront Park runs along the water next to the ferry dock, and it's the easiest free thing to do in Port Jefferson. You get the boats, the Sound and, in fall, an early sunset that is worth timing your night around.

Watch the ferry come in from Bridgeport. It sounds like a small thing, but a boat that size pulling into a village harbor is a good start to a night out, and kids love it.

From the water, the village is all walkable. Main Street and East Main Street meet near the harbor, and most of what you'll want is within a few blocks.

Dinner in the village

Port Jefferson has a long list of restaurants within a short walk of the harbor, from pizza and seafood to sit-down places that book up on weekends. If you want a table at 7pm on a Friday, call ahead. If you don't, eat early and you'll have your pick.

A tip from the regulars: plenty of restaurants here have decent mocktails or will make you something off-menu if you ask. You don't have to settle for a soda with a straw in it.

Catch a show at Theatre Three

Theatre Three on Main Street has been putting on plays and musicals in Port Jefferson for decades. It's a real stage with a real season, and a Friday evening performance is one of the best nights out in the village with no drinking involved at all. Check their website for what's running and showtimes, and get seats ahead on busy weekends.

If a full show doesn't fit your night, walk Main Street anyway. The shops, the old storefronts and the hill up from the harbor are a big part of why people come here in the first place.

Friday comedy night and open mic at Roots

This is the part we're biased about, but it's also the easiest way to fill your Friday with something to actually do.

Every Friday, Roots Kava Bar runs a comedy night and open mic at 250 East Main Street. Sign-ups start at 7:30pm, the open mic kicks off at 8:00pm, and the room is open to music, poetry, creative writing and comedy, with everyone welcome. At 9:00pm, professional comedians from around Long Island take the stage. There's a suggested donation at the door, and the money goes to creating and running performing arts programs.

The whole night is alcohol-free. Our lounge seats about 40, so it feels like a show, not a crowd. You can read more about the format on our comedy night post.

Late coffee and matcha

Most cafes in the village close in the afternoon. That's a problem if you want a coffee after a show or something warm on the walk back to the car.

Roots is open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 11pm Sunday through Thursday. We pour coffee, espresso drinks, matcha lattes, iced matcha, herbal tea and kava, plus a list of mocktails. The full list is on our menu. If you just want to sit somewhere quiet after dinner and talk, the couches in the lounge are good for that too.

End with a night walk

Once things wind down, the village is still a nice place to be. Walk back down to the harbor, look at the lights on the water and see the ferry tied up for the night. We wrote up a few of our favorite routes in Night Walk Spots in Port Jefferson.

A sample Friday night plan

• 5:30pm: Park and walk the harborfront, watch the ferry come in

• 6:30pm: Early dinner in the village

• 7:30pm: Head up East Main Street to Roots and put your name on the open mic list, or just grab a seat

• 8:00pm: Open mic

• 9:00pm: Professional comedy

• After: A coffee or matcha for the road, then a walk back to the water

If you'd rather go to a show at Theatre Three, swap the middle of the night and come to Roots after for a late drink. We're open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Planning for a group?

If you've got a birthday, a team night or a group of friends who don't drink, we host private parties for up to about 40 people.

Getting here

Roots Kava Bar is at 250 East Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, a short walk up from the harbor and the ferry dock. Directions are on our visit page, or call (934) 259-8902.

Friday night FAQ

Is there anything to do in Port Jefferson at night that isn't a bar?

Yes. The harborfront, Theatre Three, the shops on Main Street and the Friday comedy night and open mic at Roots Kava Bar are all alcohol-free options.

What's open late for coffee in Port Jefferson?

Roots Kava Bar serves coffee and matcha until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and until 11pm the rest of the week.

Does the Roots comedy night cost anything?

There's a suggested donation at the door. Proceeds go to creating and running performing arts programs.