Nightbeat
Nightbeat
Let’s Hit the Town! by Susan Campbell Want to know where the party people go to play night and day? We have all the best hot spots mapped out for you. So, let’s hit the town in style! Bop along the boardwalk!
There’s always something fun happening along the Great Bay boardwalk in Philipsburg with lots of live music and impromptu parties. You might even run into a marching band! Choose from dozens of beach bars and alfresco cafés along the wooden walkway and don’t miss legendary anchors of the scene like Taloula Mango’s and the Blue Bitch Bar for the best cocktails and barkeeps around. And
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you can never go wrong hanging out at the Hard Rock Cafe for great tunes. The lively boardwalk is also often the scene of big, live outdoor music extravaganzas throughout the year. Surfside hangouts
Whether you’re seeking a super casual barefoot bar or a chic South Beach style sand lounge, this island has lots of spots where you can chill out on the waves or
rev up to action mode by the water. Many begin early and then morph into party central after sunset with live bands, cool shows, or DJ-driven music. Karakter beach lounge beside Mary’s Boon on the other side of the airport in Simpson Bay is a fun spot worth checking out for great tapas, signature drinks, and laid-back music. But if frenzied barefoot bopping in the sand to live bands floats your boat, then Buccaneer Beach Bar on Kim Sha Beach is the place to be. Their Friday and Sunday night blowouts are legendary. On the French side, the lovely Dreams beach bar offers sophisticated seaside
fun with a dance floor right in the sand. But the island’s most famous surfside party spot is Sunset Bar & Grill. That’s because this is the place where you can watch some of the world’s craziest plane landings while raising a glass by the sea. The jets almost graze the beach on their way over the fence to the landing strip, and the photo ops are absolutely unreal. And don’t forget your bathing suit! Maho Beach is very swimmable and there’s a brand new cliffside pool on-site. The entire complex has been expanded to offer up more of a nightlife scene with two new bars by the pool and a classy new dining spot called The Refuge. !
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Nightbeat Maho rocks day and night!
Steps away from Sunset Bar is Maho Village where the main street boasts almost half a mile of electric indoor and outdoor entertainment. Landmark Cheri’s Café is always full of lively folks enjoying a great alfresco carnival-style show; it’s a must-visit at least once while here. For a more laid-back soiree, you can relax at Bajatzu Bar & Grill for superb classic cocktails in a New York style venue. But for authentic margaritas, you must set off to 3 Amigos; don’t miss their Sexy Saturdays, which are epic. And don’t forget, Casino Royale in Maho is open daily until 4 a.m., except Sunday, when it closes at midnight. Eclectic entertainment offerings
Some of the island’s coolest fun bars defy classification, as they are so unique unto themselves, like Jimbo’s Rock & Blues Café in Simpson Bay. You’ll find an interesting mix of fab Tex-Mex fare, killer cocktails, lively music, and a manmade urban pool bar. Then, there’s The Red Piano in Pelican Key for lively singalongs and first-rate entertainment on the ivories. They are also famous for their Church on Monday nights when they take it up a notch with live local bands and The Red Piano
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Nightbeat well-known DJs. Next, there’s Rancho that really turns up the heat on weekends with their Flamenco Fridays and live Latin music on Saturdays. And at Dirty Sanchez Tequila Bar in Simpson Bay you never know what’s going to happen, but you can be sure it’ll be crazy! More fun vibes and party modes are to be found at spots like the funky new Rusty Rocket Rum & Reggae Saloon near the airport with Let Loose Fridays starting at 5 p.m. Things can really get wild at the new Zoo Rock Café and their cool Zoo nightclub with a jungle themed décor and lots of special event nights like Latino and Caribbean live music blowouts. Topper’s in Simpson Bay is another popular party spot. They are the makers of the island’s very own artisan flavored “rhums” that come in luscious flavors like banana-vanilla-cinnamon and whitechocolate-raspberry. On the French side, head to Grand Case to find bright and casual Calmos Café. On Thursday nights it’s hot Loco Salsa, and on Sundays you can groove to their Sunset Reggae parties. If you want to belly up to the bar with the boatie people and the yachtie set, then you’ll find the best salty-dog hangouts all around Simpson Bay. You’re bound to make some new buddies at wacky watering Hard Rock Cafe
Left photo courtesy of The Red Piano. Right photo courtesy of Hard Rock Cafe
Dinghy Dock
holes like SkipJack’s and Lagoonies where their happy hours are always hopping with the day’s scuttlebutt, and dancing after sunset is always on deck. The new Dinghy Dock in Simpson Bay (sister bar of Dinghy Dock in Oyster Pond) has over 100 kinds of craft beers to help whet your whistle. Of course, you’ll also always find the sailing set trading yarns at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. Chic escapes
When you’re ready to shake off the sand and slip into a more elegant mode, this island also has upscale spots that impress like the cool lounge inside Rainbow Café in Grand Case. Or head over to The Hideaway at La Vista in Pelican Key perched on an infinity pool over the sea; on Wednesdays, they have Klassy Karaoke. Also, Rhythm’n Booze wine bar and lounge serves up fine wines, high-end spirits, and champagnes with homemade tapas in a laid-back lounge style atmosphere. The new Q Ultimate Billiard Lounge is another sophisticated escape and sometimes offers special events like comedy nights. And after dinner at The Stone, the steak and seafood served on heated volcanic stones won’t be the only things sizzling. Their sultry live mood music also sets Left photo courtesy of Dinghy Dock. Right photo courtesy of The Stone
The Stone
the ambience on fire, and you’re bound to want to tarry awhile for a few steamy nightcaps and listen to the tunes. These three last spots are all in Simpson Bay. Later, pull out all the stops for dressy party central at the Soggy Dollar Bar where famous DJ Bossman drives the night wild. You’ll find VIP lounges and private cabanas hosting the club music lovers there. Or, sashay up in your stilettos and suits for some celeb style revelry on a man-made beach on a rooftop at Maho’s Sky Beach. If you’re a bona fide nighthawk and like to start very late, then it has to be Tantra, the island’s most electric late night hot spot for big name DJs, private lounges, and VIP service. It’s definitely where you’ll find the beautiful people heating up the floor until the wee hours. Take a rocking road trip!
Another great way to roll into this island’s lively night scene is on wheels! Choose Da Party Bus for a rollicking night ride, or hop aboard Rooster’s Party Bus, a double-decker with a live DJ and an open bar. So what are you waiting for? Now you know where to go… go hit the town! Cheers! " Nights 67