An efficient semi-organic nonlinear optical bis (4-acetylanilinium) tetrachloridozincate [(C8H10NO)2 ZnCl4] (B4ATCZ) single crystal was synthesized and successfully grown by the slow evaporation method. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data confirm that B4ATCZ crystallized into an orthorhombic crystal system (Cmca). The UV–Vis–NIR transmittance spectrum was taken to assess the optical transmission, cut-off wavelength, and bandgap energy. The TG–DSC investigation ensures that the B4ATCZ is stable up to 235 °C. The mechanical behavior of the B4ATCZ compound was determined by Vickers Microhardness analysis. The surface laser-induced damage threshold value of the grown B4ATCZ crystal was endowed to be 19.78 GW/cm2 on testing with 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser radiation. The positive photoconductive properties and charge transport mechanism of B4ATCZ crystal were analyzed through photoconductivity and dielectric studies. The electron excitation and lifetime measurements of the molecules in the B4ATCZ crystal were studied by fluorescence spectral analysis. The HOMO–LUMO analysis evidently interprets the occurrence of N–H⋯O and N–H⋯Cl intermolecular hydrogen bonds influencing the charge transfer in the system. The electrostatic potential surface reveals the possible sites for hydrogen bonding electrophilic and nucleophilic interactions. Third-order nonlinear optical activity evaluated by the Z-scan measurements indicates the self-focusing and reverse saturable absorption in the crystal. The aforesaid results affirm that the metal-organic B4ATCZ is a potential material for optoelectronic and nonlinear optical device applications.