Nightlife in Nassau and on Paradise Island, Bahamas
Cool jazz, hot disco, lively karaoke, soft piano stylings in a candlelit restaurant and late-night clubs offer plenty of fun when the sun goes down
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE NASSAU, CABLE BEACH, PARADISE ISLAND - JULY 2006 EDITION
When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, it’s time for fun in Nassau and on Paradise Island.
Whether you like cool jazz, hot disco, lively karaoke or soft piano stylings in a candlelit restaurant, there is a place nearby where you’ll feel right at home.
For a fun-filled evening with all the bells and whistles, try a little Junkanoo – the Bahamian version of a carnival parade, featuring pulsating rhythms, colourful costumes and frenetic street dancing.
Café Johnny Canoe, at the Nassau Beach Hotel on Cable Beach, offers a popular Junkanoo “rush-out” every Friday at 8pm. Another treat at Johnny Canoe, guaranteed to get your toes tapping, is live Bahamian and Caribbean music courtesy of Herbie and Da Crew, Friday and Saturday from 7:30pm to 12 midnight.
Junkanoo doesn’t end at Cable Beach. Across the bridge on Paradise Island is the newly opened Marina Village at Atlantis, which features a colourful Junkanoo parade every Friday and Saturday night.
MUSIC TO CHILL BY
Western New Providence offers a plenitude of places where visitors can chill out on a warm Bahamian evening.
One such place is the elegant yet relaxed Indigo Café, located on West Bay St at the end of the Cable Beach strip. Take in a live performance by TooLoose with singer/songwriter Steven Holden on Thursday nights from 8 to 10pm.
Farther west in Sandyport is the Olde Towne Oyster Bar & Grill, which features a live steel band playing Bahamian favourites and your requests Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 10pm.
Even farther west is Travellers’ Rest, a charming beachside restaurant that offers live Bahamian and Caribbean music courtesy of Paul Hanna, Tabatha and Gernie & the Caribbean Express on Sundays from 6:30 to 9:30pm.
PIANOS AND CANDLELIGHT
An evening of fine dining and romantic ambience is not difficult to find in Nassau. Chez Willie on West Bay St, west of the British Colonial Hilton, offers a sophisticated blend of softly lit surroundings and piano music by David Evans, Thursday through Sunday starting at 7:30pm.
Patrons of East Villa on East Bay St can dine on succulent steak or delicious Chinese food while enjoying live music by pianist Philip McPhee from 7 to 11pm, Monday through Saturday.
Fine dining accompanied by classical and contemporary piano music can also be found at Montagu Gardens on East Bay St, Graycliff on West Hill St and the Black Angus Grille at the Wyndham Nassau Resort.
PARADISE FOUND
Venture across the bridge to Paradise Island and you will find an impressive lineup of restaurants and nightclubs to suit every taste.
Enjoy a night of rolling-in-the-aisles entertainment at Joker’s Wild Comedy Club in the Atlantis resort’s Coral Towers, where local and visiting comics hit the stage Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 9:30pm.
Stroll along the walkway at Marina Village where you’ll find a variety of dining and music spots. The elegant Café Martinique features French haute cuisine and live piano music nightly. If you’re looking for something up tempo, dine on Bahamian cuisine and enjoy live music at Bimini Road.
Across the Atlantis marina, Oasis Lounge at Club Land’Or features the stylings of one-man band, Andrew Miller, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday starting at 7pm.
Farther east on Paradise Island, overlooking Nassau Harbour, you’ll find a mix of island music and Bahamian favourites courtesy of another one-man band, George, at Columbus Tavern, Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10pm.
Enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise around Nassau’s picturesque harbour under the stars aboard the Flying Cloud, a 57-foot catamaran. The evening cruise, including complimentary hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, departs the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal at 6pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can also charter a cruise that includes a three-course Bahamian meal.
LATE-NIGHT FUN
Most of Nassau’s pubs and clubs remain open well past the midnight hour.
A good place to unwind after taking in the casino is the 22 Above lounge at the Wyndham Nassau Resort. Sip a cocktail and listen to DJ music Friday and Saturday, starting at 9pm. There’s also a variety show and headliner entertainment downstairs at the Rainforest Theatre in the Crystal Palace Casino.
Guests at SuperClubs Breezes on Cable Beach can dance the night away at Hurricanes Disco.
On West Bay, east of Cable Beach, look for Cocktails & Dreams, a late-night club. There are two other popular local hangouts in this area: The Beach Hut, where there’s karaoke, and the Cricket Club, located down the hill from Fort Charlotte. This is a good place to catch up on the latest cricket, rugby and football scores.
Downtown, look for Fluid Lounge for an evening of energetic dancing or enjoy a Cuban mojito at Café Habana on Bay St, or seek out the Flamingo Cigar and Gourmet Café, just around the corner on Navy Lion Rd. The Drop Off, a lively downstairs pub on Bay St, offers food and drink until 6am. Café Europa, located on Charlotte St, serves food until 5am Saturdays and live or DJ music on Friday from 6 to 9pm. Also on Charlotte St, enjoy rock n’ roll memorabilia, as well as the music, at Hard Rock Café, where the bar is open till 12 midnight Monday to Thursday, and to 2am Friday and Saturday.
East of downtown, stop in at Charlie’s Club (formerly Club 601). Enjoy weekly jam sessions at The Buzz nightclub. Hammerheads Bar & Grill is a great place to stop for a pint, or hit the dance floor at Club Waterloo, just past East Villa restaurant on East Bay St.
On Paradise Island, two spots offering entertainment into the wee hours are Dragons nightclub at Atlantis and The Green Parrot at the Hurricane Hole Marina.
For more evening and daytime entertainment ideas, pick up a free copy of What-to-do magazine, available almost everywhere, for a complete list of attractions.
Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.
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