Nightbeat
Nightbeat
Evening Escapades by Susan Campbell Enchanted tropical nights, rousing parties, romantic lounging, and fun and friendly bar socializing abound on this island; you simply have to know where to go once the stars come out to play.
Curaçao’s party scene is colorful and varied, but it’s scattered all over the island. You really have to seek out where the night moves and where the happy hours rock, but fortunately we’ve done all the legwork for you. So simply follow our lead to find all the fun! The party-people neighborhood
Let’s start in Pietermaai, a surefire socializing spot and the trendiest neighborhood on the island. It has so much to offer in such a small quartier with a fascinating array of dining and nightlife venues all stacked beside each other. Begin before the sun sets with some chic French Riviera style lounging at the Saint Tropez Ocean Club on the sea; luxe cabanas and an infinity pool set the stage for DJs and dancing later. Or take a happy hour dip at the new fun and friendly City Beach 88, where they rock it out later for barefoot boogying in the sand. Or savor a seaside cocktail at BijBlauw Bar or Scuba Lounge while you watch the sun set over the waves. Later, explore the narrow streets and alleys full of colorful colonial buildings to find a setting that suits your mood and style.
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Enjoy some smooth tunes at Miles Jazz Café or marvel at the surreal décor of Mundo Bizarro. Many of the dining locations have classy lounges attached like Kome or enchanting outdoor courtyards like Ginger. You’ll also find rollicking casual watering holes full of lively locals at bars like Eetcafé Old Dutch. Feeling peckish after a few? Head to the area’s first authentic tapas bar, La Cantina del Patron, for a late night bite. Of course, you shouldn’t miss the most famous Pietermaai landmark: Blues Bar at the Avila Beach Hotel is the island’s legendary pier venue known for live jazz bands perched right over their bar! (They serve fab food too!) And for spirited live music of every ilk, Bar 27 is the place to be for rock, blues, funk, soul, country, reggae, Latin, and local tunes. For those who take their mixology seriously, head to Luke’s Cocktail Bar at the edge of the district for some of the most creative handcrafted drinks on the island. Surfside party central
There’s always a celebration of something at the lively beachfront destination, Mambo Beach Blvd. It’s an entire complex of bars, restaurants, shops, and more that often offers live events on a beautiful beach with the chic Madero Ocean Club as the anchor of it all.
Enjoy classy cocktails and bottle service by day, then barefoot bop from one hangout to another as the night wears on. You’ll find a wide selection of venues like Wet & Wild, Club X Mambo, Café 40B, Hemingway, and Bollywood Lounge to name just a few. Or duck inside to the new Club Live 973 (run by the radio station) for an electric dance party. And the big Sunday blowout parties with great DJs at Cabana Beach are famous island-wide. Downtown delights
Punda, Otrobanda, and the surrounding neighborhoods of Salinja and Zuikertuin all have party-hearty places secreted away. Some are harder to find than others (ask a local for directions), but some are in popular landmark sites like the Rif Fort Village. The courtyard of the old fort is the nexus for all kinds of live music and events, and the surrounding bars like Kandela Cigar Lounge, The Sopranos Sports Bar, and the Carnaval Casino invite you to tarry later. Punda also has its own weekly celebration every Thursday, called Punda Vibes. It’s an outdoor extravaganza of color and culture, local food, drinks, music, dance, and more. Plus, to cap off the evening with a bang they do a fabulous fireworks display over the bridge. E
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