It’s tempting to stay at the Penthouse and lounge on the deck or in the Jacuzzi after a long day on the beach or a tour, but if you have a bit of energy left, do yourself a favor and go hear some local music and hit the floor for some dancing!
The Divi – if you want to stay nearby, check out what is going on at the Divi’s other 2 resorts, the Tamarijn (which is on the beach, right across the street) and the Divi All Inclusive (just a little ways down, next to Alhambra Casino). There will be a blackboard updated every day around the reception area at the Tamarijn with activities, including bands playing at the resorts. You will have to buy drink coupons at the front desks as they all inclusives don’t take cash, but you can go to these events too.
Bugaloe Bar on DePalm Pier – Mentioned above – this great little bar and grill on a pier in the ocean is a dancing destination for us usually twice per week and a lunch place during the week. They have different live bands on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from soft rock to salsa and merengue. The band usually starts around 6-7pm, right at sunset and goes till around 10pm. If you take the De Palm sunset cruise (which leaves from the same pier) you get back in time for the second set! Bugaloe has a simple dinner and lunch menu as well as bar food, and is a beautiful place to let the world pass you by. Bring your camera, swimsuits are allowed at any time, and shoes are often abandoned! Children are welcome.
Moomba beach – Often has live music or a DJ, a younger crowd hangs out here, very local and very dutch! Right on the beach and is a good place to start the night out with cocktails and a dutch snack platter watching the sunset. Parking is right behind the bar. Right on the beach, and next to the Holiday Inn on the high rise hotel strip. BIG on Sunday night and a great band on Monday as well!
Arubaville – Mentioned under restaurants, Friday afternoon is a great time to visit as they have live music and the joint is hopping!
There is usually music during happy hour at most of the hotels. The Aruba Beach Club, which is also behind the Alhambra Casino, has happy hour at the pool bar with music from 4-6pm about every day – Fridays is a great one man band. You can just take the golf cart or walk up the beach.
Hilton Hotel (formerly the Radisson)– Next to the Bugaloe pier bar – the grounds are just gorgeous, the nicest of the hotels in Aruba. Every Tuesday night, starting around 5:30, they have a FREE carnivale show with a steel band and then carnival dancers as well as local vendors out by the pool. It is good fun for a taste of the carnivale and a really nice place to see the sunset and relax. They also have a quiet outdoor martini bar with a great view and a bit of jazz in the evenings, or you can walk down to the beach area to Gilligan’s beach bar where there is a decent happy hour and a guitarist most evenings. The casino has been redone recently and there is often music on the weekends.
Tropical – This tiny Dutch bar should be on everyone’s list just to visit on a Friday or Saturday nite (quiet other nights) if only to listen to the great local Caribbean band and watch locals from 18 to 80 years of age dance. Grab a table outside in the breeze and enjoy the show! The band usually starts around 10pm and goes to 2am…it is the same band both weekend nights. They have karaoke during the week and other local talent as available. Located in the Renaissance Marketplace, next to the harbor and Seaport Casino downtown. Blink and you will miss it!
We usually like live local Caribbean music, but know everyone likes something different! So for a night out clubbing try out these. Take a cab!!
Confessions Night Club – They are on Facebook, but do not have a separate website – High Rise area
Gusto Bar – They are on Facebook, but do not have a separate website – High Rise Area
Sand Beach – http://www.arubasandbar.com at the Brickel Bay hotel on the High Rise
The Mill – In the windmill at the High Rise – the most popular after hours spot! Heats up around 1am…not sure when it cools down!
Local Bar – Downtown on the main drag by the harbour.
Club Hipsz – For serious latin dance music with live bands on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Very close to the penthouse. On the main 4 lane road at the first roundabout on the way to the highrise hotels.
Café Chaos – Downtown, across from the Renaissance Mall and movie theatre. Live music most nights, but they start around 11pm.
Casinos in general – most of the hotels have casinos, poker rooms, etc… the Alhambra is the nearest to the Divi. If you have gamblers/non gamblers in your party, the nongamblers can hang out at the tapas bar next to it.