St. Martin's Nightlife

When it comes to nightlife, St. Martin/St. Maarten ranks as one of the top spots in the Caribbean.  There are multitudes of places to visit and things to do, from family friendly plays and movie screenings to adults-only entertainment.

If you want to know where to find the best parties or performances during your St. Martin/St. Maarten vacation, pick up the Thursday edition of The Daily Herald and check out the “Out 'n About” section.

Bars

If you're looking for a place to unwind without the pressure of dancing or mingling, hit one of the island's bars for a drink and some bar food.  Some bars are located on hotel property, while others are solo operations, and many are connected to a restaurant.

If you like to dance to all of the latest hits, check out Club One (St. Martin), where the DJ spins all of the latest Top 40 jams.
For a unique twist on the typical bar setting, Lady C (St. Maarten) is a floating bar located along Simpson Bay, where boaters and other party-goers stop in for a good time.

For an upscale, classy, and refined time, you'll want to visit Sopranos Piano Bar (St. Maarten).  It doesn't get much better than sipping on your cocktail while listening to world-class artists make magic on the piano.

While some bars are connected to restaurants and may offer a semi-appropriate setting to bring your children, Sunset Beach Bar  (St. Maarten) is not one of these people, for this is where topless ladies drink free.

Another piano bar in St. Maarten is located at the Pelican Resort: the Red Piano (St. Maarten).  Most of the time piano is the entertainment of choice, but other live musicians play sets every so often as well.

Other bars include Axum Art Cafe, Bali Bar, Boo Boo Jams, Buccaneer Beach Bar, Calmos Cafe, Cliffhanger Beach Bar, Kali's Beach Bar, Taloula Mango's Caribbean Cafe, the Greenhouse, and the Treehouse.

Nightclubs

Like the bars on the island, nightclubs in St. Martin/St. Maarten fall into two categories: those that exist on hotel property, and those that are entities of their own. 

The fun thing about nightclubs in St. Martin/St. Maarten is that there are many that are both indoor and outdoor.  This is a perfect way to spend your nights in the Caribbean – dancing until dawn with tropical plants and flowers surrounding you, and the smell of the salty sea air floating around you.

Perhaps a setting that seems a bit counterintuitive for a nightclub, the La Chapelle (St. Martin) is a converted church chapel that now serves as a dance club.

Le Jeudi de Waikiki (St. Martin) is a dance club that is located right on the beach, where a DJ spins the hits.

If you're yearning to hit up one of St. Maarten's famed outdoor nightclubs, check out Bliss (St. Maarten).  Bliss is located in Maho Beach at the Caravanserai Resort, and is a stylish club that caters to the younger set.  Techno music is always pumping.  Right next door to Bliss is another outdoor club, this one with a pool to add to the fun: Bamboo Bernies.

Q Club (St. Maarten) at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort features mostly hip hop and dancehall music, and is another island club that caters to the younger crows. 

The party doesn't stop here.  A few others to check out are Blue Martini, Cheri's Cafe, Gecko Cafe, the Greenhouse, Katu Beach, Mambo Dance Club, Pineapple Pete, and Star Bar.

Adults Only

Yes, casinos in St. Maarten are only for those aged 18 and older (and there are 13 on the island – all on the Dutch side), but it isn't gambling that we're concerned with in this category. Yes, we are talking about strip clubs here. St. Martin/St. Maarten is one of the few Caribbean islands that advertises their adults only settings.  These strip joints offer erotic dance shows as well as private rooms for those willing to fork over a little extra cash for alone time with the ladies.  The strip clubs in St. Martin/St. Maarten are known for inviting exotic dancers from around the world to dance in their facilities, and some of the world's top erotic entertainers put on shows here. 

Located in Maho Village, the Platinum Room mixed nightclub with strip club.  Dancers work the stage while patrons look on, but nearby is a dance floor where anyone can dance to the pumping music.  There is a pool in the middle of the room, and a  lounge called the “Jungle Room” with beds for a more private experience.  Two other strip clubs on the island include Bada Bing and Golden Eyes, both in Simpson Bay, as well as Crazy Paradise.

Family Friendly

If you're traveling with family, especially young children, you'll likely want to avoid the aforementioned nighttime activities.  Instead, check the paper during your stay for kid-friendly theatrical and dance performances put on at the Philipsburg Cultural and Community Center (St. Maarten),  Sandy Ground Community Center (St. Martin), Motiance Dance School (St. Maarten), and  Dance Theater of St. Maarten.

Other night time activities you can participate in with your whole brood include catching a movie at one of the island's theaters, going on a dinner cruise, or being adventurous and heading out for a night dive with Aqua Marina.

Just because your time in the sun is over as night falls doesn't mean you can't still go out and have a good time.  Nighttime is when the dual-nation island of St. Martin/St. Maarten comes to life, so make the most of your time here and hit the streets for a night you won't forget.