Nightclubs and bars in Aruba

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Happy Hour in Palm Beach starts around noon and end between 5 and 6 pm or a bit later at someplaces if you look around. Most of the hotels have bars out on or next to the beach with drink specials. Every now and then it is fun to pretend like you just turned 21 again and have a bit of fun...

Dress Code: Sorry you need to at least have a trunks or swim suit on....nother more -nothing less.

Head on over to the Black Hog for either the Tuesday or Thursday night BBQ with all you can eat and drink. Fun games and they get you up off your seat to dance. Trust me when I say they will get you off your seat.

Dress Code: Whatever you wish!

Based on the Famous Tropicana show in Havana the Wyndam show is intertaining but I think there are better things to do on the Island. The singers are of fairly high quality and they claim the dancers are cubans, though I know some were Colombians. but it is old fashion pagentry. I haven't been over to the real tropicana in Havana yet but I'll put a comparison on after I go.

Update: there is no comparison, the style is similar but the scale is not in the samr realm, small dance numbers on a small stage, no acrobatics. I stand by what I said above but really no comparison the Havana Tropicana blows it away.

When the sun goes down, the action heats up because the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is the only Resort in the Caribbean where Night is the Hottest Time of Day. It was then ... it is now!

There are many comfortable, charming and exciting nightspots in Aruba with dancing, entertainment, and lively action-filled casinos. Most of the hotels have their own special night of entertainment. Tropical nights, beach barbecues and cocktail parties are always available.

Dress Code: The Seaport Casino has been newly renovated I heard, and is the only waterfront action-packed casino in Aruba for now. To me the Casino got very special because my brother danced for his very last time. The contract longed for a few more months until he was finishing his dancing career. And I was there, so we got more closer as otherwise.

The male members of his group even willingly posed for one shoot (see pic, the pink one is my brother). Modelling Sabine leaded the dance and, all of us danced all night long ...

Aruba is known for its casinos and there are many of them all over this tiny island.

I'm not a casino person, but at dinner in L G Smiths restaurant (Renaissance Hotel) we were given vouchers for free "spins" on the gaming machines and we just couldn't resist using them.

It passed a very pleasant couple of hours.

As with casinos in Las vegas, they keep you topped up with drink while you gamble.

The Crystal Casino at the Renaissance is, I believe, the only 24 hour casino on the island, though the others stay open very late.

The picture here is of the Alhambra Casino which is in the low rise area and also has its own small shopping centre. Don't be expecting to buy great glamour there - it's mainly an outlet for the usual souvenirs.

This tip also appears on my Aruba page under "Things to Do", as I couldn't move it from that page to this. Anyway, it suits both headings!!

Let's Go Latin is the name of a spectacular show of Latin singing, dancing, and acrobatics. It runs from Monday to Saturday at the renaissance Hotel theatre and is a visual feast of colour.

We went on a Monday and the theatre wasn't full. Seating is free-style so we had our choice of seats. We sat about five rows from the front. Where you site is important because it is said that if you sit in the front three rows you cannot see the dancer's feet as they perform. Also, I found that sitting in the fifth row (close to the front) I was chosen to sing and also to dance. Normally shy, this time I agreed to go ahead with it and it turned out to be a lot of fun. In fact, three days later when dining at Madame Janette's, some people came up to me and said "Oh you're the dancer from the Latin Show!"

The show has a cast of around 40. There's a leading male and a leading female and they are comperes and singers - both with great singing voices and very easy on the eye. We met the female singer before the show when we were trying to find our way atround the hotel and she could not have been more helpful - she's a lovely person as well as a great singer.

The costume changes for both the singers and the dancers were many and varied and quite amazing.

The acrobats (two males and a female) performed about three seperate acts and are amazingly talented.

I would recommend taking the dinner and show package. At a cost of $89 per person some might find it expensive, but I thought it was great value for money. Dinner is at L G Smiths restaurant and I will seperately review that. For $10 less you can eat at the adjoining seafood buffet.

To see the show alone it costs $44 per person.

After the show the cast line up in the foyer for photographs and to greet the audience. It's a lovely touch.

I thought this was an incredible night out.

Dress Code: Dress as you wish, though I always feel it's lovely to dress up for a night at a show.....apart from that, everyone on stage is dressed to impress.

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Le Dome is one of the best restaurants in Aruba, so when you sign up for the Le Dome sunset dinner cruise you know you are going to be getting something really special.

We boarded the catamaran at the de Palm Pier beside the Radisson Hotel. Several of the guests were enjoying cocktails at the bar on the pier while we waited to board and at that stage the sun was beginning to set and was already turning the sea to gold.

The tables were set out on the deck, open to the stars, and were fully laid with white linen and silver service cutlery. As we took our seats the champagne corks popped and every guest was treated to a glass of champagne, which was refilled before it had a chance to empty (over and over and over again).

As we sailed down towards the California Lighthouse, the staff took orders for cocktails and other drinks - it is fair to say that the drinks literally flowed, and were all of high quality.

We anchored within view of the lighthouse and then canapes were served. These were followed by a three course meal. I started with smoked salmon and a large plate of very tasty salmon was served to me with a garnish of very fresh salad and capers. I followed this with the lamb, served pink, with baked potato and vegetables. It was very good indeed. Finally, every guest was served a baked cheesecake. The first and second courses were a la carte, with a choice of three of each.

As we returned to shore, coffee and chocolate truffles were served with your choice of liqueur (and that, too, was refilled with a very large measure before we docked).

At around $100 per person this is not a cheap night out, but it is a top quality night and worth every single cent.

You can book this tour directly through Le Dome restaurant or through your hotel. It departs on Thursdays only at 6pm.

Dress Code: Wear comfortable shoes - remember that you are on board a ship. I saw ladies tottering precariously on high heels as the boat rolled on the sea - not a pleasant experience. Also, bring a jacket - it can get very cool in the night winds at sea. Other than that, smart casual is a good dress code for this type of night out.

Sopranos is a nice piano bar where the drinks are great and the people are friendly. It's located closer to the high rise area. If you're looking for a place you can have a great beer or cocktail and enjoy conversation, there are outdoor covered, relaxing booths, or you can sit indoors at the bar. The crowd was late 20's-40's. We visited on 2 occassions during our 7 days there.

Dress Code: No dress code. Most folks were in jean or slacks. No beachwear. It's defintiely a nite spot. I'm not sure if they serve food. the Heinikin on tap is great- definitely not the stuff we drink here in the States.