Where’s the Party?
by Susan Campbell
Aruba’s bar and club culture is dynamic and diverse, and you need not wait for the sun to set to embrace the party spirit. Follow our lead to find all the actionday and night
Palm Beach: something for every party style
Most Palm Beach resorts have their own happy-hour action, but if you want to snag the ideal spot to catch the sunset with celebratory cocktails before changing out of your bathing suit, head to either Malmok Bar & Grill or Antilla Beach Bar, both Marriott spots provide an excellent sundown view.
Seeking a more sophisticated style to slip into the evening? There are cool and classy lounges to enjoy cocktails made with top shelf spirits like Absolut vodka and its new rainbow of exotic flavors. You’ll find this elevated vibe at Ritz-Carlton Aruba’s Divi Lounge, also an ideal place to catch the sunset from their seafront terrace. Another elevated alfresco spot is Mira Solo Bar at the Hilton Aruba, a superb oasis to mingle over a bottle of ice-cold La Marca Prosecco before hitting the casinos.
Now it’s time to hit “The Strip” across from the high-rise resorts for electric nights! Begin at The Cove Mall- a complex of trendy spots, then head to the only rooftop infinity pool bar on the island right behind it. Sunset Bistro atop Radisson Blu is the new hot spot for cocktails and bottle service, DJ entertainment, and incredible views around a spectacular pool and cabana setting.
Across the street is Paseo Herencia for magical light and water shows, and the latest hotspot to open there for party time in Flamingo’s Bar. It’s impossible to miss in all its pink glory full of happy dancing people enjoying fun and fancy drinks. But you might miss Drunk’s Denial there if you don’t look for the big black and white cupcake shaped stand. It would be a shame not to try their unique Bundt cakes infused with the fusion liqueur of your choice!
Further down the strip you’ll find all kinds of nightlife side by side, take a detour into Papillon Restaurant’s lovely lounge for one of their signature French martinis and live music to refuel for your barhopping journey. Also look for an inviting palapa entrance walkway to find Bohemian Bar & Restaurant for unique musical experiences, cocktails, and bites. (Visit Liv Casino while there to try your luck.)
But you’ll have to veer off the strip to find this trio of hidden gems launched by CMFood Company. The complex includes Brutto Beach House for exotic cocktails, gourmet bites, and DJ-driven mood music, Lucca Trattoria for hot brick oven pizza and cold beer, and The Office Nightclub which is becoming the island’s newest hot late-night dance emporium. All in one spot!
Also off the strip is Bingo Cafe Restaurant where the local dutch expats gather around the bar for authentic Dutch snacks, sports watching camaraderie, and lots of creative cocktails beyond ice cold beer. They also serve dinner. And it’s well worth the trip to find Quinta del Carmen’s massive and magnificent outdoor tapas and cocktail garden out in Noord for a very special evening out.
Eagle Beach: an eclectic selection of hot spots
Though the Eagle Beach area is more laidback than the strip, the courtyard around the famous red windmill behind Eagle Beach has also begun offering some nightlife, seek
out the new Rich's Arubian Dish & Caribbean Delight for sports on the big screens, authentic island fare, lively happy hours, and sometimes karaoke! Happy hours are also lively at the newly renovated Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort’s Horizons Pool Bar, and if you pull up a stool at their Passions Beach Bar you’ll be treated to a sunset view over the sea framed by the famous fofoti trees.
And Divi’s Beach Bar Aruba on Druif Beach is also fun for happy-hour sunsets and pelican watching. Later, you’ll find live music at Alhambra Mall’s collection of establishments like Fusions Wine & Piano Bar. But downtown Oranjestad has recently become THE place to be for a bevy of after dark delights.
Oranjestad dazzles after dark
Follow your ears behind the Royal Plaza Mall for Patio 15 in a monumental mansion and the biggest outdoor dance venue on the island. Great shareable and craft cocktails abound, and though you never know what theme night you might happen upon there, you can always be sure you’ll end up dancing.
Then there’s Hoya Lush, a lovely oasis for artisan mojitos in Plaza Daniel Leo. Then sleuth out Apotek Speakeasy for award-winning handcrafted cocktails in a superb clandestine setting nearby. New to the scene in the backstreets is the Taste My Aruba complex that’s much more than a restaurant. Inside you’ll find a replica of an authentic Irish pub (Kildare’s) and a separate Spanish style tapas bar with music called Amante. Live music is also often on tap there. Also big on live music is Alfie’s in Aruba, a down to earth rocking pub owned by ex-pat Canadians. (Look for the big Canadian flag out front!)
Around the marina, you’ll find Eetcafé
The Paddock, a legendary rowdy watering hole frequented by Dutch expats. But it’s Renaissance Marketplace’s huge outdoor mall there where you’ll find lots more nightlife. Start early at Casa Tua for a unique daily “Aperitivo” happy hour with drink and food specials. Later, enjoy live Latin music, dancing, and the best mojitos in town at Cuba’s Cookin’. And for awesome creative tiki cocktails and Asian tapas don’t miss Po-Ké Ono there. And Renaissance’s
glitzy Wind Creek Crystal Casino and Wind Creek Seaport Casino downtown can help you keep the party going well into the wee hours! Downtown rocks!
Take the party on the road!
Hop aboard one of Kookoo Kunuku’s epic red party buses for a range of fun tours. Beyond their legendary Pub Krawl they also offer a Dinner & Nightlife tour, a Happy Hour tour, and a Wine & Tapas experience that includes a professional sommelier on board. •
Cheers!
MIRA SOLO LOBBY BAR
Sip a cocktail and relax in this vibrant open-air bar and lounge with nightly live entertainment and happy hour specials to unplug or disconnect. Overlook the cascading waterfalls with spectacular sunset views of Palm Beach. Located at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.
HOURS
• Daily: 12 noon – 12 midnight
• Live Music: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
• Dinner: 5:30pm – 10:30pm
• Happy Hour: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
