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Palo Alto goes to bed early. Most restaurant kitchens close by 9 or 10 p.m. and many bars follow by 11. But a handful of places on Emerson and Ramona streets keep pouring until 1 a.m. on weekends, one wine bar stays open until midnight every night and two Irish pubs a few Caltrain stops away run right up to the 2 a.m. legal cutoff. If you know where they are, a late night here is perfectly possible.
This guide lists them in order of closing time, starting in Palo Alto and then moving to nearby towns, which we name. Hours were confirmed on each bar's own website or a verified page in our business directory in late October or early November 2026. Late hours are the first thing bars cut on slow nights, so check before you set out. Everyone must be 21 or older. Bars check ID at the door late at night.
Closing times at a glance
| Bar | Town | Latest posted close | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molly MaGees | Mountain View | 2 a.m. every day | None listed |
| Fibbar MaGees | Sunnyvale | 2 a.m. every day | None listed |
| Scotty's Bar & Grill | Palo Alto | 1 a.m. Fri and Sat; midnight Tue to Thu | Sunday |
| The Rose & Crown | Palo Alto | 1 a.m. Fri and Sat; midnight Thu | None |
| NOLA (bar) | Palo Alto | 1 a.m. Fri and Sat | Monday |
| Alhambra Irish House | Redwood City | 1 a.m. Fri and Sat | None listed |
| The Wine Room | Palo Alto | Midnight every day | Major holidays |
| Bar Underdog | Palo Alto | Midnight Fri and Sat | Sunday, Monday |
Palo Alto: open until 1 a.m.
Downtown's late bars sit within two short blocks, so you can move between them on foot.
Scotty's Bar & Grill, 548 Emerson Street
A locally owned neighborhood bar known for its Moscow mules. Its website lists 4:30 to 10 p.m. on Monday, 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Listed prices exclude sales tax and a 4 percent cost of living charge. Tabs of $200 or more get an automatic 20 percent gratuity.
The Rose & Crown, 547 Emerson Street
Across the street, the Rose & Crown is an English-style pub with a long craft beer list. It lists 2 to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 2 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday and 1 to 11 p.m. on Sunday. That makes it the latest pint in town on a Sunday.
NOLA, 535 Ramona Street
NOLA is a New Orleans-style restaurant whose kitchen closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday while the bar carries on until 1 a.m. On weeknights the bar runs until 11 p.m. and on Sunday until 10 p.m. It is closed Monday and takes reservations only for private parties.
Palo Alto: open until midnight
The Wine Room at 520 Ramona Street is a wine-only lounge open from 4 p.m. to midnight every day, closing only on major holidays. It is the most dependable late drink in Palo Alto, especially early in the week. Shared plates such as cheese, charcuterie and empanadas are on the menu.
Bar Underdog at 299 California Avenue stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday and 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Its kitchen serves snacks until 10 p.m. It is the only late cocktail bar on California Avenue.
The Pro at 541 Ramona Street is not a midnight bar, but it serves a limited late-night menu from 10 to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 9 to 10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Coverage at its January 2026 opening reported that the bar area becomes 21 and over late at night.
Mountain View and Sunnyvale: open until 2 a.m.
Molly MaGees, 241 Castro Street, Mountain View
Molly MaGees is an Irish pub that lists hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day, which makes it one of the closest bars to Palo Alto that runs right up to the legal limit. It is about 6 miles south on Castro Street and a short walk from the Mountain View Caltrain and VTA light rail station. There is a back patio with its own bar, a pool table and DJs on Friday and Saturday. It has no kitchen, but you can bring in food from Castro Street's late restaurants.
Fibbar MaGees, 156 South Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale
Fibbar MaGees, Molly's sister pub, lists 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Monday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. DJs and dancing run until 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday with free entry. It serves food and is a few blocks from the Sunnyvale Caltrain station, about 9 miles from Palo Alto. Our pubs guide covers both in more detail.
Redwood City: open until 1 a.m.
The Alhambra Irish House at 831 Main Street in downtown Redwood City lists 1 a.m. closing on Friday and Saturday and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It runs trivia on Thursday evenings and has a sports program. Main Street is a short walk from the Redwood City Caltrain station, about 6 miles north of Palo Alto.
Last call and the law
- 2 a.m. cutoff. California bans the sale and service of alcohol between 2 and 6 a.m., so last call comes before 2.
- ID at the door. Late at night many bars card everyone at the entrance. Bring a physical ID.
- No open containers. Drinking in public streets and parks is not allowed. Finish your drink before you leave.
- Noise. Downtown sits next to homes. Keep it down on the walk back.
Getting home safely
Caltrain is the simplest way home if you time it. On the October 2026 timetable, the last northbound train left Palo Alto at 11:57 p.m. on weekdays and 11:58 p.m. on weekends. The last southbound train left San Francisco at 12:05 a.m. and reached Palo Alto just before 1 a.m. That means a night at Molly's or Fibbar's that ends at 2 a.m. will need another ride. Check times in our Caltrain guide on the day.
After the trains stop, rideshare and taxis work well downtown and Waymo robotaxis serve Palo Alto. Pickups are easiest on side streets rather than University Avenue. For a late meal on the way, Jack in the Box at 2280 El Camino Real lists a 24-hour lobby and drive-thru. Our late-night food guide has more. If you plan to stay out until closing, a hotel within walking distance is the easiest plan of all. Never drive after drinking.
Good to know
- Sunday is the quietest night. The Wine Room and the two Irish pubs are the best bets.
- Scotty's is closed Sunday. NOLA is closed Monday. Bar Underdog is closed Sunday and Monday.
- Hours here are as posted in late October and early November 2026. Late hours are often cut on slow nights.
- For the wider picture, see our nightlife guide.
Frequently asked questions
What bars are open late in Palo Alto?
On Friday and Saturday, Scotty's, the Rose & Crown and the bar at NOLA list hours until 1 a.m. The Wine Room on Ramona Street lists midnight every day. Bar Underdog stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Most other bars close between 9 and 11 p.m.
Is any bar near Palo Alto open until 2 a.m.?
Yes. Molly MaGees on Castro Street in Mountain View lists 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day. Fibbar MaGees on Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale lists 2 a.m. closing every night. California law bans alcohol sales from 2 to 6 a.m., so last call comes before 2.
What is open late on a Sunday night in Palo Alto?
Sunday is the quietest night. The Wine Room lists hours until midnight and the Rose & Crown until 11 p.m. Scotty's and Bar Underdog are closed. In Mountain View and Sunnyvale, the two Irish pubs list 2 a.m. closing on Sunday too.
How do I get home after the last Caltrain?
The last northbound train left Palo Alto at 11:57 p.m. on weekdays on the October 2026 timetable. The last southbound train from San Francisco reached Palo Alto just before 1 a.m. After that, use rideshare, a taxi or a Waymo robotaxi, which serves Palo Alto. Never drive after drinking.
Can I eat late after the bars in Palo Alto?
Options are thin. Jack in the Box at 2280 El Camino Real lists its lobby and drive-thru as open 24 hours. Curry Pizza House on University Avenue has been listed as open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Pro serves a late-night menu until 11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.