Orem doesn’t have a big bar or club scene, but there’s still plenty to do at night near UVU, from concerts at the SCERA Shell and UCCU Center to late-night arcades, comedy shows, and country line dancing across Utah Valley. Students living at Promenade Place, located off Geneva Road near University Parkway, are close to all of it.
Utah Valley’s nightlife looks a little different than a typical college town’s, leaning more toward all-ages entertainment than a bar crawl. That turns out to be a good thing for students looking for more to do on a Friday night than just grab a drink.
Nighttime Guide to Orem, UT
Utah Valley’s version of a night out tends to center on live music, comedy, arcades, and country dancing rather than bars, which fits the culture of a region with a smaller drinking scene than most college towns. That’s not a gap so much as a different set of options, and Orem and the surrounding area have a genuinely solid lineup of them. Promenade Place’s location near University Parkway keeps students close to venues in both Orem and neighboring Provo.
What Is Orem’s Bar Scene Actually Like?
Orem doesn’t have much of a traditional bar or club scene, and that’s worth setting expectations around before planning a night out. Most of what passes for a “bar” here is really a restaurant with a bar section attached, a common setup across Utah.
Places like Wing Nutz and Bout Time Pub & Grub serve food alongside drinks and TVs for watching a game, making them better suited to a casual dinner with friends than a bar-hopping night. If a lively bar scene is what you’re looking for on a Friday night, Orem isn’t going to be the draw, but the options below tend to fill that gap for most students.
Where Can You See Live Concerts Near Campus?
Utah Valley has two solid options for live music, and both are a short distance from Promenade Place. Neither one centers around a bar scene, which makes them an easy fit for students of any age.
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre Hosts Concerts Under the Stars
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, at 600 South 400 East in Orem, is a 3,500-capacity outdoor amphitheater set against the Wasatch Mountains, with a summer season of touring concerts, Broadway-style musicals, and outdoor movies running roughly from Memorial Day through the end of summer. Alcohol isn’t served or permitted on the grounds, and seating is festival-style on a grassy hillside, so most people bring a blanket or a low chair.
UCCU Center Brings Major Touring Acts to UVU’s Campus
UCCU Center, located on UVU’s campus at 800 W University Parkway, is an 8,000-plus seat arena that has hosted touring acts like Imagine Dragons, Paramore, and Maroon 5, along with comedy tours, Broadway shows, and UVU basketball games. Being right on campus, it’s one of the most convenient options for a big show without leaving the university.
Between an outdoor summer amphitheater and a year-round arena on campus, live music is easy to find in Orem no matter the season.
Where Can You Go Arcade Hopping at Night?
For a low-key night that doesn’t involve alcohol at all, Orem has a couple of arcades that stay open into the evening. Both are a quick drive from Promenade Place.
Nickel City Fun Center Runs on Nickels, Not Quarters
Nickel City Fun Center, at 1515 S State St in Orem, charges a flat admission and then runs its 120-plus games on nickels instead of quarters, with laser tag available too. It’s open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a solid option for a later evening out.
Rush Funplex Packs Several Activities Under One Roof
Rush Funplex, at 575 E University Parkway inside University Place, combines go-karts, bowling, laser tag, mini golf, bumper cars, and a trampoline area in a single indoor venue. It’s a good pick when a group wants more variety than a standard arcade offers.
Whether you want a nostalgic arcade or a multi-activity venue, Orem has an option within a few minutes of campus.
Where Can You Catch a Comedy Show in Utah Valley?
Comedy is a bigger part of Utah Valley’s nightlife than bars are, and a couple of long-running shows anchor the scene in nearby Provo. Both are known for staying clean and family-friendly.
ComedyBox Provo Turns Comedy Into a Competition
ComedyBox Provo, at 36 W Center St in Provo, has run improv comedy showdowns for more than 24 years, with the Red and Blue teams competing for laughs based on audience suggestions. Shows run Friday and Saturday nights, are open to all ages, and tickets are just $10.
Dry Bar Comedy Records Clean Stand-Up Specials Live
Dry Bar Comedy, at 295 W Center St in Provo, hosts live stand-up shows on Fridays and Saturdays that are also recorded for its streaming platform, with a lineup built around clean comedy that works for a mixed-age audience.
Between an interactive improv show and a stand-up lineup, Provo covers a lot of ground for a laugh-focused night out.
Where Can You Go Country Line Dancing in Utah Valley?
Country swing and line dancing are a genuinely big part of Utah Valley’s nightlife, drawing large college-age crowds on a regular basis. A few venues stand out, including one right in Orem.
Tippin Point Draws Crowds to Arlington Hall in Provo
Tippin Point, held at Arlington Hall in downtown Provo, runs country swing and line dancing every Wednesday and Saturday night, with a beginner lesson at 8:30 p.m. followed by open dancing until around midnight. It regularly draws a large, mostly college-age crowd and welcomes people whether they come solo, with a date, or in a group.
The Barn Hosts Swingin’ Dance Co.’s Flagship Nights
The Barn, Swingin’ Dance Co.‘s flagship venue inside Provo Towne Centre Mall, offers country swing dancing with a beginner lesson built into every session, making it approachable for someone who has never danced before.
University Place Hosts Free Summer Country Nights in Orem
During the summer, The Orchard at University Place in Orem hosts free outdoor country dance nights, with live music and an open-air dance floor right in the mall’s outdoor district. Because it’s free and located directly in Orem, it’s one of the most convenient options for students who don’t want to leave town.
Between weekly dance halls in Provo and a free outdoor series right in Orem, country dancing is one of the most reliably fun nights out in Utah Valley.
Where Can You Grab Late-Night Food Near Campus?
No night out is complete without a late-night food stop, and Orem has a few reliable options for whenever hunger hits.
IHOP Stays Open Around the Clock
IHOP, at 850 W 1250 S in Orem, is open 24 hours, making it a dependable option for pancakes or a late dinner no matter how late your night runs.
Roll Up Crepes Serves Crepes Until Midnight
Roll Up Crepes, at 1605 S State St in Orem, is known locally for its sweet and savory crepes and stays open until midnight most nights, giving students a lighter late-night option beyond typical diner food.
Between a 24-hour diner and a late-night crepe shop, ending the night with food doesn’t require driving far from campus.
A Night Out Near UVU Doesn’t Have to Mean a Bar
Between concerts at the SCERA Shell and UCCU Center, late-night arcades, comedy shows, and country dancing that draws a crowd every week, Utah Valley has more going on after dark than its reputation might suggest. Promenade Place’s location near University Parkway keeps students close to almost all of it.
Promenade Place itself adds to the mix with a 24-hour fitness center, a hot tub, dedicated study lounges, and a game room with pool tables, all just steps from your apartment. Choose from studio, 4×2, and 4×4 floor plans designed to fit however you and your roommates want to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Orem have a bar scene?
Not much of one. Most nightlife-adjacent spots in Orem are restaurants with a bar section, and the bigger draws for a night out are concerts, arcades, comedy shows, and country dancing.
Where can students go country dancing near UVU?
The Orchard at University Place in Orem hosts free summer country dance nights, while Tippin Point at Arlington Hall in Provo runs country swing and line dancing every Wednesday and Saturday.
What concert venues are near Promenade Place?
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre and UCCU Center are the two main concert venues in Orem, hosting everything from summer touring acts to major arena shows on UVU’s campus.
Is there a comedy club near UVU?
Yes. ComedyBox Provo and Dry Bar Comedy both run family-friendly shows on Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Provo.
Are there late-night arcades in Orem?
Yes. Nickel City Fun Center and Rush Funplex both offer arcade games and other activities, with Nickel City staying open until midnight on weekends.
Where can I get food late at night near Promenade Place?
IHOP in Orem is open 24 hours, and The Roll Up serves crepes until midnight most nights for a lighter late-night option.
