Sizzling Nights: Nightlife in St. Maarten/St. Martin

By Judy H. Fitzpatrick

One of the fun things about visiting new destinations is being able to get an up-close-and-personal experience of the local nightlife. By day, the Dutch-French open-border island is a bustling, duty-free shopping mecca. By night, the island comes alive with a medley of entertaining and partying options.

Whatever your taste or preference you’re sure to find a spot that satisfies your nocturnal appetites. There are countless after-dark haunts for an unforgettable night out. You’ll find bars and pubs, dance clubs, exotic adult entertainment, glitzy casinos and lots of local entertainment.

Bars, Lounges and Pubs
Nighttime bliss can start off with a great dinner and drinks or just drinks. We won’t even try to count the number of bars and pubs in St. Maarten/St. Martin. Let’s just say there are many all over. As for restaurants, we’re told there are about 350 — the most per square mile in the Caribbean.

Choose your bar, lounge or pub according to your preferences. Some are located on the waterfront with stunning ocean views for the romantic; some are paired with restaurants and range from classy to casual; while others are stand-alone for those who want a few drinks before hitting a club. Most bars, lounges and pubs serve an assortment of beverages for your imbibing pleasure.

Some are themed and serve a wide assortment of beverages from a particular culture or country.

Lady C Floating Bar on the water in Simpson Bay, Red Piano Bar in a cozy indoor setting in Pelican Bay and the open-air Sunset Beach Bar near the Princess Juliana International Airport runway in Beacon Hill are some happening choices on the Dutch side. Music and hard partying included.

The beachfront, laid-back, Caribbean-styled Calmo’s Café in Grand Case and Bali Bar on the Waterfront in Marigot, along with many other waterfront spots, are some great choices in French St. Martin.

Nightclubs
If dancing the night away is your thing, then get ready for some pulsating nights. There are a number of indoor and open-air dance clubs on both the French and Dutch sides with a partying atmosphere and cool DJs whose main goal is to get you on the dance floor rocking to cool tunes. The resident DJ at most clubs are homegrown and have a huge following. They’ve earned their fame by winning DJ awards at regional and international contests.

For a different vibe, some clubs occasionally bring in international DJs. Some even import entertaining acts. You might catch a show — bikini contest, live entertainment or strip shows — sometimes held at some clubs. Some clubs hold themed parties, such as “First Saturdays” at Tantra Nightclub in Maho the first Saturday of each month. Well-dressed adults flock to Tantra for this hip and happening once-a-month party.

All clubs have security and bouncers to keep partygoers safe, but like anywhere else in the world, party animals should always remain alert. High rollers can make their bookings for VIP tables available at most clubs.

For a combination of indoor and open-air fun, Bliss Nightclub in Beacon Hill, Soggy Dollar Bar and the new Prive nightclub in Simpson Bay are must-visits. The mature crowd usually takes over Boo-Boo Jam in Orient Bay in French St. Martin for exciting Friday and Saturday nights.

“’Tis We Own T’ing”
Caribbean slang meaning the way locals do things on the island, “’tis we own t’ing” embodies the unique spirit of St. Maarten/St. Martin. And sampling local entertainment can be the best part of experiencing
St. Maarten/St. Martin after dark. Homegrown singers, dancers, musicians, steel pan players, actors, comedians and other artistes usually put on performances and host shows at different times year round. 

Local shows are held in hotel and convention centers, but most are staged at the Cultural and Community Center in Philipsburg and at the Sandy Ground Cultural Center in French St. Martin. Check these venues or the local newspapers for current shows. Performances by the Imbali Center for Creative Movement, Dance Theatre St. Maarten and Motiance Dance School are highly recommended.

April/May in St. Maarten is usually Carnival time, the major celebration on the island’s annual cultural calendar. Parties, concerts, pageants, calypso shows, j’ouvert jump-ups and shows are spread out over two weeks of Carnival. Most of the activities are held in the heart of Carnival: the St. Maarten Festival Village in Philipsburg, which is open every night during Carnival. After all that partying, satisfy your appetite with a treat from the nearly 100 food booths that line the Village. They’re open 24 hours a day during Carnival.

Casinos
Casinos
St. Maarten is a playground for gaming enthusiasts. While there are no casinos in French St. Martin, Dutch St. Maarten has 13 gaming emporiums. They feature slot machines and gaming tables with a plethora of games. Try your hand at roulette, craps, baccarat, blackjack, poker and more.

Not in the mood to play? No problem, visit and enjoy the live entertainment many offer. Seven of the casinos are on the Philipsburg side of the hill and six on the Simpson Bay side of the hill. Five are located in hotels and resorts while eight are in stand-alone buildings.

If high rolling isn't your thing, no problem! Several casinos also host live entertainment and other shows so you can visit for the great ambience, pulsating energy and ever-present excitement.

Adults Only
For a titillating experience, you can visit one of the gentlemen’s clubs in St. Maarten — one of the number of glamorous adult entertainment centers on the Simpson Bay side of the island such as The Platinum Room in the Maho Village.

These intimate getaways put on erotic shows nightly for guests. The Platinum Room, for example, features exotic dancers from around the world. You can relax in one of their lounges, or prop up at the bar and feast your eyes on the stage where dancers tease and entertain. The stage hugs the edge of a pool in the middle of the room. There is also a dance floor for those who want to enjoy an evening of dancing.

For a more private experience, you can check out the sensual Jungle Room. A VIP section is also available for big spenders. The bar serves a wide assortment of cocktails and other beverages. Open nightly from 10:30 p.m.–5 a.m. All major credit cards are accepted.

Find out more about St. Maarten/St. Martin's Casinos.

Top Ten: What to do in St. Maarten/St.Martin to enjoy the island at night

1. Embark on a sunset champagne or dinner cruise. Aqua Mania offers sunset cruises. Your catamaran will leave at 5:30 p.m. from Pelican Watersports.
2. Explore the tropical reefs on a night dive. The reefs come alive at night: sea fans that are hidden during the day open wide to feed at night and lobsters and eels are out hunting. Aqua Mania offer night dives.
3. Visit Puerta del Sol Plaza at Simpson Bay. A Spanish contemporary inspired design houses a trendy collection of chic boutiques, hair salons, yacht brokers, real estate agents and restaurants.
4. Listen to the band at Lee's Deep Sea Fishing and Roadside Grill.
5. Take a seat on the balcony at Taloula Mango's overlooking the boardwalk for some people-watching, a cool breeze and refreshing tropical drink.
6. Learn to salsa dance at Tito Salsa or La Bodeguita del Medio in Marigot.
7. Catch a movie-inside or under the stars. The island boasts three indoor movie theaters with a total of eight screens. All theatres have an intermission break for popcorn and beverages.
8. Go on Celine's Lagoon Pub Crawl.
9. Roll the dice and try your luck at a casino. The Westin offers a Vegas-style casino, with fine ocean front dining just steps away.
10. Hop aboard Bluebeard Charters for a private sail with your group, or just the two of you.

Use our Dining Guide to find the islands great restaurants - St. Maarten/St. Martin is the culinary capital of the Caribbean! Or, use our Activity Guide to find casinos, clubs and entertainment.