Nightbeat
Nightbeat
And the Beat Goes On… by Susan Campbell and Ade Fingal Once the beach day draws to a close, just follow your ears to discover where the parties are just getting started! The music is eclectic, electric, and energetic, and there’s something for every nightlife style and mood – from smooth and romantic to full-on, dynamic dance mode. So let’s go!
Slide into a surfside groove
You need not venture far beyond your lounge chair to get into a barefoot boogie mode once the surfside bars begin to launch their happy hour offerings. Live music or DJs, drinks specials, and great camaraderie abound at spots like Pure Beach at the Divi Aruba Phoenix that also serves trendy tapas on classy couches in the sand. Don’t miss their alfresco karaoke night on Wednesdays! Bugaloe Beach Bar on Palm Beach has daily double happy hours and some of the best live bands on the island at night. Another seaside favorite is MooMba Beach Bar, home to beach tennis fun by day, and great dance parties, especially on Sundays. Also surfside in Oranjestad, is The West Deck, a fun and funky enclave that specializes in cool cocktails like upside down Beer-rita’s. Two spots, also on the sand,
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Background photo of Pinchos Grill & Bar by Luis Mejia
that have a definite South Beach vibe with VIP bottle service, private cabanas, and small bites are Sand Beach Lounge in front of Brickell Bay that has all kinds of cool themed events. The second one is Reflexions near downtown Oranjestad on its own beach with a trendy lounge atmosphere by day, and a hot party scene at night. Then there is Pinchos Grill & Bar on a lovely-lit pier with signature drinks and live music on weekends. And Arubaville on Laguna Bay is a colorful and inviting oasis that often offers up live music parties as well. Go local and casual
There’s no need to get too gussied up to feel at home at these friendly stomping grounds. Local Store is one of them. It’s a bar, not a store, and serves up local
fare and a great offering of craft beers. Sidebar Bistro, in the Renaissance Marketplace is another, with an incredible selection of handcrafted barrel-aged bourbon cocktails, and sometimes they have live music. Dutch pub-style Café Chaos nearby has live bands rocking the joint on Saturday nights, and also definitely Dutch is Eetcafé The Paddock just off the marina. Inside, you’ll always find a lively crowd of Dutch expats enjoying late night happy hour and tunes. In Noord, just off the Palm Beach tourist strip, you’ll find Café 080 a down-toearth indoor/outdoor bar with great food that’s famous for impromptu dancing. Also in Noord is Barney’s known for its “Flintstone-sized” portions and killer karaoke Fridays. Bingo! Cafe & Restaurant is another local Noord favorite that sometimes adds live music to the mix as well. !
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Nightbeat Upgrade the evening
When you’re ready to glam it up a notch, it’s time to head to Aruba’s many cool and classy lounges. Sophisticated spots like The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba or the Aruba Marriott Resort lobby bars are ideal, and most resorts have some kind of chic lounge, often with laid-back entertainment like smooth jazz or solo live acts. The Holiday Inn Resort’s Palm Bar is another cool spot that has the island’s absolute best selection of fine rums if you want to learn to become a connoisseur. Then there’s Blue bar in the Renaissance Marina Hotel. It’s the gathering spot for the beautiful people with a video wall and dynamite DJs. Across the street, in the Renaissance Marketplace is NextDoor literally the sister spot next door to SushiYa, also a very upscale escape. And indoor/outdoor Cilo City Lounge is a very popular place to kick off the evening in style, and they often have live music, as well. Behind Eagle beach, the Alhambra Casino and Shops has the hip Fusion Wine & Piano Bar that specializes in fine wine by the glass and great solo singers. For more fruit of the vine, there’s Mira Solo, a martini & wine bar in the Hilton Palm Bar
Aruba overlooking a cascading waterfall, a very romantic setting with soft live music. Or catch the gorgeous, mesmerizing waltzing waters musical show at Paseo Herencia Mall from the neon lit chairs of Sky Lounge, the bar in the outdoor courtyard. And the Screaming Eagle – famous for dining in canopied beds – has extended bar hours in their lounge for heavenly handcrafted cocktails and tunes. Pump it up a notch
Many dining spots evolve into a clubbier atmosphere later. Sultry Latin music revs it up at Cuba’s Cookin’ and their salsa nights couldn’t sizzle hotter. You can also go for the wild antic places like famous Senor Frog’s with their crazy drinking games where dancing is a must; or partake of the huge frozen drinks at fun food spots like Iguana Joe’s, Iguana Cantina, Smokey Joe’s, and Mojito’s where music is always part of the party. Salt & Pepper offers live music daily as well, and you can fuel up for more revelry at 7 West that becomes a seriously hopping spot right after dinner. They also have a sister bar on-site called Chipotz that specializes in a huge selection of shooters! Sidebar Bistro
Blue
Or join a classic sing-along at Sopranos Piano Bar in Arawak Gardens; their talented pianists always get the crowd going. And once you’re ready for a full-on frenzy dance party, head to Gusto nearby for the island’s hottest DJs that spin till the wee hours. Close by, at Palm Beach Plaza, Piazza Italia Aperitivo and Kono Pizza both stay open late to sate midnight munchies, and they also have fabulous cocktails, so you have no excuse for running out of steam! Cash in on the casino action
Aruba’s glitzy casinos also often offer musical entertainment, special theme nights, and cool events. Lounge 101 at Stellaris Casino has live bands on weekends to get the gamblers up on the floor, and the musical offerings change often in hot spots like Hyatt Regency Casino, The Casino at the Ritz-Carlton, Orchid Casino, Tropicana Resort & Casino, Alhambra Casino and Shops, and The Casino Aruba at Hilton. And at the Crystal Casino and Seaport Casino you can even win a car while enjoying their extra entertainment! Special events with music
Gusto
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Kukoo Kunuku’s colorful, crazy barhopping bus takes the beats to the streets for a unique nightlife adventure. And they also offer a tour that ends in dinner at offbeat Casibari Café in Aruba’s surreal outback where great BBQ and a rollicking live band are waiting. Then there’s the Carubbian Festival every Thursday night turning San Nicolas into minicarnival central. And now the brand new Paradiso Aruba concert venue, with three bars and a balcony, will host scads of big musical shows all year in downtown Oranjestad. As you can see, on Aruba, the beat goes on... and never stops. " Top right photo by Luis Mejia. Middle photos courtesy of Palm Bar and Sidebar Bistro. Bottom photo courtesy of Gusto.