Nightbeat
Nightbeat
Bring on the Night by Susan Campbell & Chadia Hammoud Curaçao’s night scene has recently erupted with exciting new districts full of cool bars and chic seaside escapes. Follow our lead to find out where the night really moves after dark… Begin with the beaches
To get the party started as the sun dips below the waves, there is one beach where it’s always rocking early and that’s at the Mambo Beach Blvd complex, (formerly called Curaçao Beach Blvd). There you’ll find dozens of entertainment venues, dining spots, bars, and shops, both surfside and side-by-side in the sand, and in the multilevel complex. Curaçao’s well-established hot spots like Hemingway, Wet & Wild, and Cabana Beach have been joined by cool newcomers like Café 40B, Bikinis, and Bollywood Bar & Lounge with the entire scene anchored by the new Madero Ocean Club (formerly Mambo) where the main stage is located. There’s always something going on such as fashions shows, live bands, cultural festivals… you name it. It’s just one rocking beach day and night!
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Jan Thiel Beach, just east of downtown, is another happening nightlife haven where Papagayo Beach Club, Zest Beach Café, Tinto, and Zanzibar (locals call it “Zanzis”) all offer up a diverse assortment of nocturnal pleasures surfside including music, theme nights, and special events. Just up from the beach, you’ll also find the new Mojito’s & Bites sports bar and party emporium. Kokomo Beach out on Vaersenbaai, though most famous for its legendary full moon parties that draw thousands, also morphs from a swim and dine escape by day into a superb hot music venue every night – full moon or not! And out at Piscadera, Pirate Bay beach club complex often has live music weekend blowouts as well. !
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Nightbeat
Nightbeat
Discover the districts: Pietermaai
Blues Bar at Avila Hotel first began drawing the party people out to Pietermaai’s historic neighborhood for their jazz nights decades ago, but today the entire district has been rejuvenated and reborn into one of the coolest regions on the island. Restored historic mansions and homes have turned into trendy bars and cafés, like 27 Curaçao, Cristal, Oliver, and Blue Bird Café. Miles Jazz Café celebrates the island’s love affair for jazz, and Café De Tijd, and Café Old Dutch attracts Dutch expats seeking a taste of home. Mundo Bizarro is as offbeat a bar as its name suggests; it’s a must visit if only to see the wild and crazy décor within. There’s such an interesting maze of indoor and outdoor spots winding through the narrow little alleyways and brightly
Blues Bar
painted buildings that it has turned this neighborhood into boho chic at its best. Many of the boutique hotels there also have their own bars and lounges, like Scuba Lodge and Hotel BijBlauw, both seaside escapes. And for Riviera style lounging and nightlife, the Saint Tropez Oceanclub attracts the beautiful people with VIP bottle service, a luxurious seaside infinity lounge pool, and hot DJ driven nights. The new Pietermaai is electric and eclectic and well worth visiting for enchanting evenings and magical nights out. District 1850 Scharloo
Penstraat 130 | Tel. +5999 - 461 4377 | www.avilahotel.com |
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The historic neighborhood of Scharloo, full of beautiful, restored historic mansions and once the place for the rich to reside, now comes to life at night in a new secret quarter called District 1850. During the day, you’d never imagine that this little area turns into such a sizzling scene at night when the new bars FietFieuw, Oliver, Sliders Burger Bar, and Club Air, an open air discotheque, draw the night owls out to play in droves to their outdoor venue called “Groove Garden.” Lots of special events, theme nights, and cool happenings make it the new place to party urban style on the island. Top photo courtesy of Blues Bar
Rif Fort
The ancient bastion of defense really comes to life every Friday night when the live band, Gino & Friends, plays in the courtyard to get all the customers of the indoor/outdoor spots up to dance. Sponsored by the Renaissance and Rif Fort businesses, it’s called “Drink, Dine, and Dance” and it’s always a fun and lively mix of locals, expats, and visitors. Later night partying there can be had at the rollicking Sopranos Sports Bar, and their sing-along Thursdays are becoming very popular. And of course, the Carnaval Casino is also open till the wee hours. From Cuban nights to pre-North Sea Jazz parties, there’s usually something going on in Rif Fort square all year round, not just on Fridays! More places to party
There are many nightlife hot spots around Punda for late night dancing like The Alley Bar Lounge and The HangOver Party Bar (inspired by the movie.) There’s also Club Elevate for electric nights in neon, and Spoonz is also a hip happening dance club featuring hot DJs. If you really want to rock the boat till the cows come home, DE Kroeg (Dutch for “the
Top photo courtesy of Campo Alegre
bar”) is on a permanently docked ship in Waaigat featuring techno parties and salsa events! But one of the coolest new clubs to open last year was BED in Salinja. It’s a trendy fantasy style spot with a vast array of special effects, VIP rooms, electronic music lounges, and explosive events. Out in Zuikertuin, Omundo’s dining room morphs into a dance spot with live music later in the evenings, as does Grand Café De Heeren, a true local favorite. And beer lovers should head out to Santa Rosaweg to visit the new Curaçao Brewing Company at Landhuis Granbeeuw. It’s Curaçao’s only craft brewery and brew pub. For a different style of nighttime entertainment, you can also head to Sambil Curaçao for state-of-the-art cinemas, modern bowling, and the Holstein Rodizio & Sport Bar. Or for adult entertainment, there’s the legendary Campo Alegre gentlemen’s club that celebrates their 66th anniversary this year. Ladies are also welcome to attend their shows on Tuesday nights. And Campo Hotel is available for longer stays. So now that you know where to find Curaçao’s best nightlife hot spots, visit www.curacaopartyguide.com for all the special events and theme parties happening during your stay! Cheers! " Nights 79