Nightlife in Coney Island

Steampunk ornamentation colors Georgian-era furnishings at Downhouse, an ornate hangout where vivid fluorescents melt over evocative murals, progressive artwork, and vintage accents. The creative menu complements the unique interior with house-made crepes and made-to-order demi sandwiches piled with veal tongue, roast beef, and lightly cured salmon. With stomachs sated, patrons can peruse the calendar for any number of live events, from tango dancing on Tuesdays to the disc- and bowtie-spinning talents of a DJ on the weekends.

Silvery tendrils of smoke steeped with notes of mandarin, guava, and 16 other hookah flavors uncurl across La Boheme Lounge, where silverware jingles against plates of Italian-influenced dishes. Under the discerning eye of the owner—a professional music producer—DJs spin chill, ambient, lounge, and house music that serves as a rumbling sonic backdrop on two floors. Groups perch atop velvety, merlot-hued seats around low-topped black tables laden with espresso drinks and cocktails, or migrate to the private party room to admire the aquarium or rescue friends trapped by overly chatty fish.

Têtê-à-Têtê customers sup exotic coffee and tea options alongside gourmet pastries and sandwiches in the bistro’s sleek, art-deco-inspired downstairs cafe. The menu of breakfast variations includes choices such as the portobello and swiss cheese omelette ($6.95), which can be put on a croissant ($5.35), wrap ($6.35), or crepe ($7.95). Replenish nutrients after a serious session of urban wakeboarding with lunch paninis and wraps including the caprese, complete with fresh mozzarella, oven-roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil ($6.75).

At Esquire Lounge, sleek, ultramodern decor sets a sophisticated cocktail lounge atmosphere in the heart of Sheepshead Bay. Track lighting twists above an illuminated bar resembling a slab of ice, reds and blues shine from behind flat-screen televisions, and ceiling fixtures made of concentric rings add purples to the palette. Couples and groups going out after work sip cocktails as a resident DJ spins house music. A menu of innovative American cuisine includes selections such as fettuccine alfredo with truffle butter, seared scallops, and filet mignon with wasabi mashed potatoes.

Having developed his expertise in Thai gastronomy in Thailand, Colorado, and New York City over the course of more than 20 years, chef Chai Chunton now flaunts his culinary skills in Lotus Thai Restaurant & Bar. Vines of steam rise from time-tested noodle, vegetarian, meat, and seafood dishes, curling toward nostrils with the hot, sour, sweet, and salty notes of the region's cookery. Adorned by a design team from Thailand, the lounge's dining room is laced with leather booths, ornate Eastern flourishes, and antique chopstick sharpeners. Against the sonic backdrop of occasional evening DJ sets, events in a private room launch the sounds of revelry against exposed-brick walls and a collaborative painting by acclaimed artists Pairoj Pichetmetakul and Kittisak Chontong.