Bermuda Nightlife
Bars, Night Clubs and Pubs
As the sun goes down in Bermuda, yet another interesting and sophisticated facet comes to the fore. The nightlife of Bermuda reveals another dimension to the diversity of the island and is a great avenue to explore.
Live music at Hog Penny
Photo: Hog Penny
I have heard people saying that Bermuda's nightlife is quite sedate. But having visited island so many times, my experience is somewhat different.
Bermuda does offer nightlife options like dancing to DJs' music till the wee hours, enjoying drinks while listening to live bands, watch performing arts, festive celebrations that continue until late at night and more.
An ingratiating charmer by the day and shrouded in mystery by the night, Bermuda has its appeal intact any time of the day.
All in all, exploring the nightlife gives a wholesome experience of the island's best such as great food, amazing ambiance & music, and some unique drinks and island cocktails.
While its sun, sand and water brings out the sporty and adventurous side of the island, the intoxicating nightlife brings to the fore a sophisticated allure, romance and excitement.
Most of the island's nightlife centers in and around the City of Hamilton. Before we go deeper into the top nightclubs, bars and lounges in Bermuda, a few things to keep in mind:
What to wear
Although no pubs or nightclubs in Bermuda enforce a particular dress code, a handful of them might look down upon a very casual and careless sense of dressing amongst its guest. keeping it smart casual is the best way to go.
How to get around at nights
You should ideally take a taxi at night to get back to your hotel or cruise ship, especially if you have been drinking until late night.
There are ample taxis available in Hamilton and several other places. Otherwise the staff at the bar or restaurant will be happy to call a taxi for you.
Alternatively, you can take a bus or a ferry if you aren't too late. The last bus #8 from Hamilton to Royal Naval Dockyard leaves at 10:45pm. The last ferry from Hamilton to dockyard departs at 8:30pm on weekdays.
It is strongly recommended not to use a rental scooter or electric minicar if you have taken any alcoholic drinks. There are spot checks done by police and it's considered a serious offense.
Secondly, if you forget under the influence of alcohol that you need to drive on the left in Bermuda, you will almost certainly head for a collision.
Know the going-on
There are a number of events/ activities organized by various nightclubs on different days of the week. You can pick up a Bermuda Calendar of Events at any of the
Visitors' Service Centers across the island.
You will also find a "weekly scene" section every Friday in the newspaper listing the upcoming nightlife events of the week.
Magazines like The Bermudian (a quarterly issue) and This Week on Bermuda (a weekly issue) also detail the happenings around the Bermudian nightlife.
Casinos
Although the casino act bill was first passed in Bermuda in December 2014 after a lot of debate and the parliament approved the Casino Gaming Amendment Act in 2016, there are still some legal hurdles to implement Casinos in the island.
In October 2022, St. Regis Hotel in St George was granted the first Casino license in Bermuda. However, there are several statutory guidelines to be met before the casino can start operating.
NOTE: Under a new law in October 2013, the cruise ships docked at a port in Bermuda can keep their casinos open from 9pm until 5am for their cruise ship passengers only.
Top Bermuda Bars and Pubs
All the bars and pubs of Bermuda that are listed below are highly rated by both locals and visitors, and most offer night time entertainment in high season like live bands.
Price Categories:
$ = Budget; $$ = Mid Range; $$$ = Upscale; $$$$ = Expensive
Just to give you an idea, in a budget ($) pub or a bar, you can expect to pay about $10 for a cocktail, a pint beer or a glass of white or red wine. This is the cheapest it can go in the island.
Here is our list of favorite bars & pubs in Bermuda. Go through the links for detailed reviews:
($$, British and Bermudian cuisine)
Located in Hamilton Parish, this is the oldest pub in Bermuda. There are thousands of business cards and graffiti pasted all over the walls.
Swizzle Inn, Photo: djLicious, flickr, cc by 2.0
They are the inventor of the famous island drink - The Rum Swizzle. The pub is kids friendly with a good kid's menu and also wheelchair accessible.
This is a rooftop bar located on top of the Visitors Center in Hamilton and overlooking the harbor. They have an open terrace with beautiful view of the harbor, a live music augments the relaxed and friendly ambiance further.
Photo: The Birdcage Rooftop Bar
Although they serve classic cocktails including the traditional island drinks, the Birdcage cocktail bar & lounge specializes in craft cocktails.
These are mostly created using homemade and wild ingredients thus producing subtle flavors that are hardly found in the other bars. This is a great place to spend an evening.
($$, British)
This is Hamilton's oldest pub operating since 1957 and has a typical British decor. This is a favorite for locals and tourists. This cozy oak paneled bar inspired the Bull and Finch pub (Cheers Pub) in Boston.
($$, Cocktail Bar)
This is a cocktail bar designed like the 1920s speakeasy and tucked in an alleyway off Front Street in Hamilton. This exclusive little lounge is located rather reclusively and you might pass by it several times without even noticing it.
It practically has no signage or indication that the place exists. You need to ring the door bell and wait for a server to escort you to the table inside a lowly lit room.
Photo: Yours Truly Bermuda
The pub has a laid-back retro-style ambience. The bar shelves are lined with craft spirits. The pub boasts of fine hand crafted cocktails made using house-made syrups, bitters, infused liquors and hand carved ice.
This is undoubtedly one of the best pubs in the island to enjoy innovative fine cocktails. A classic favorite is the Mezcal Maidwhich that is prepared with lime, agave and Thai basil amongst its ingredients. Bites include Cheese and Charcuterie, Tandoori Chicken, Onion Bhajiya etc.
They also serve craft beers and other chilled drinks. It's a place which is frequented mostly by the locals and a great pub to enjoy a friendly local vibe.
You will hardly find any tourists here. This pub is owned by the 'Yellowfin' group that also owns Astwood Arms and several other restaurants and bars.
($$, Irish)
Flanagans is the only Irish pub in Bermuda located in Hamilton with beautiful harbor view. It's also a sports bar and offers live musical entertainment during high season.
Photo: Flanagan's, Bermuda
($$ British)
This pub has a long history. Once it used to be a barrel making workshop in the dockyard. Now it's the biggest pub in the island and located at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Sandy's.
It has a beer brewery of its own where it makes local beer of different flavors... very popular with locals and tourists.
($$, British Pub Fares)
This is a relatively new entry to the already bustling list of pubs and restaurants in Hamilton. The interiors of the pub are done in a classic Victorian era style lending it an inviting and rich feel.
Front Porch. Photo: Astwood Arms
There are separate dining area, bar area and a cellar with giant screens to enjoy live games. You can also dine and enjoy drinks alfresco at the front patio which is excellent for people watching.
The music here is a combination of light jazz and 70's and 80's classic rocks. The menu offers a variety of soups, salads, nachos etc.
The Fish n' Chips served here is especially good. Also you will find great mixes and Gin based cocktails here made by the expert bartenders. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
($, Bermudian Cuisine)
This casual bar located on Front Street of Hamilton is open until 3am. They self proclaim to be "The shame of Front Street" due to their late night operations when every other bar is closed.
The bar menu is quite extensive and includes some nice innovative drinks. There is a DJs music on Fridays and Saturdays, and dance nights on Sundays. There are happy hours on other days of the week starting from 4pm.
($$, Bermudian)
This is a great mid-range pub and restaurant with its classy, fun martini-style bar. Featuring live entertainment in season, the award-winning Pickled Onion overlooks the harbor on Front Street.
With friendly atmosphere, good food and music live entertainment (offered 5 days a week from 10pm onwards), this is one of the most popular bars in the island.
You can try their Brew Sampler which offers five of their best, brewed in-house by their own brew master.
($$, Seafood)
It's located at the dockyard in Sandys Parish near the ferry terminal. The open patio has a great view of the water and it's an excellent people watching place while you enjoy a draft beer. There is live music on some days of the week.
($$, African Cuisine)
Located on Front Street in Hamilton City, Cafe Cairo is an Egyptian themed bar and a dance club in Bermuda. It also has a nice restaurant serving Middle Eastern dishes.
($, British)
Located on Front Street in Hamilton City, this is a long cedar bar featuring DJs, live bands, plasma TVs playing live sports plus a quieter wine bar.
($$$, British)
Henry VIII is one of the well known pub and restaurants in Southampton parish offering a relaxing ambience with night-time live entertainment.
Photo: Henry VIII, Bermuda
($$, Bermudian)
Great place to sample fresh handmade beer. My favorite is Somers Amber Ale. It's located on South road at Smith's parish.
($, International)
Robin Hood pub in Hamilton City is extremely popular with the locals. It is also a premier sports bar in the island. Their entrees include British style Banger and Mash and Fish and Chips which are the favorites here.
Photo: Robin Hood Pub
Tickets for their summer booze cruises and beach parties can be availed at the restaurant. This also includes free beer and spirits on the boat.
($$, British)
Located at the western end in Somerset Village, it has a wooden balcony having great view of the Mangrove Bay.
Children's favorites like Chicken nuggets and Squire Hot Dogs are also available here. The restaurant gives you the feel of real Bermuda culture.
($$, Bermudian)
White Horse Pub and restaurant in St. George Bermuda provides a great option for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with night-time entertainment.
($$, Mediterranean)
Located in Hamilton, it has a charming open terrace, award winning chef and a wide selection of wine.
($, bar)
An old ferry has been converted into a floating bar with look and feel of a pirate ship. It's located next to the cruise pier at Royal Naval Dockyard.
Offerings include 2 bars, cheap drinks and cocktails, great views of the marina and nice music.
($$$, Gastropub - British Style Pub and Restaurant)
Part of hotel Fairmont Southampton, the earlier French fine dining restaurant has been converted into a combination of pub and restaurant offering wide selection of wine, beer and food.
($$$$, International)
Located within Elbow Beach Hotel property in Paget, this vintage bar combines the decor of a cozy jazz club with the energy and music of the Caribbean tropics.
Cosmopolitan Ultra Lounge and Nightclub
The earlier Moon Nightclub on 95 Front Street (Hamilton) has been replaced by this new vibrant nightclub. Red carpeted stairway leads to the attractive and spacious lounge.
Photo: Cosmopolitan Ultra Lounge
LED panels wrap around the walls and changing patterns and colors of panel lights make an attractive ambience. There is a very interesting feature... a part of the roof is retractable making the starry sky visible from inside.
The owner thus claims this to be the only indoor/outdoor nightclub in the island.
Live band with pop, dance and soca are the key attractions. 'Flair bartending' has been introduced where you can see small shows like cocktails on fire, spinning bottles etc as the bar man pours the drink.
Open 9pm to 3am (Mon-Sat). Phone: +1 (441) 705-2582.
Located in St. George, this is a relatively new night club and is part of the White Horse Pub and Restaurant.
The menu includes a wide variety of food from across the globe along with seasonal seafood, fresh salads as well as large portion sized starters and entrees. It also sports television screens where you can watch your favorite teams.
Ambiance Lounge
This is a relatively new lounge located at the corner of Court Street and Angle Street in Hamilton City. It's becoming popular with tourists and locals for its nighttime offerings and entertainment.
Other than a complete wraparound bar well stocked with cocktails and alcoholic beverages, the stylish lounge has sophisticated atmosphere with specialized lighting, comfortable seating, flat screen TVs, great sound system and a dance floor where you can dance the night away.
Open Tuesdays to Thursdays 12 noon to 12 midnight. Fridays and Saturdays until 5am.
Lower Level, 42 Angle Street, Hamilton City.
Phone: (441) 734-2624 or (441) 535-9662
This is an open air nightclub which sets up right on the sand at Snorkel Park Beach, dockyard. It operates on few nights of the week when cruise ships are in port.
Great party and dance on the beach, lovely views of the water, live bands and music, nice food available till late night. Only 18-years and above are allowed. There is a cover charge.
The Chewstick Lounge is Bermuda's unique open-mic jam session where singers, musicians, rappers, writers and artists from all facets of life come together and perform. Anyone is welcome to participate or join as audience.
Located in Hamilton Bermuda, it features four bars, a nightclub, a sports bar and a restaurant. With classic soul, reggae and soca, the DJs keep the dance floor busy.
Spinning Wheel is a locals favorite and has evolved as an evening entertainment center. A little off the regular tourist path, you can take a stroll to this place and give yourself an enjoyable evening.
Ozone Nightclub is located in Hamilton City. It has a rock room where rock bands from US are invited during high season to perform along with Bermuda's top local bands.
This has been the Mecca of Jazz in Bermuda and has showcased many local and overseas talented musicians over the years. Smooth drinks and mellowed live jazz have entertained hundreds of locals and tourists over decades. Update: Hubies, which closed down in 2010, has reopened in 2011 under a new name The Loft At Hubie's. However, The Loft too had closed down.
Located off Front Street at Hamilton, this is essentially music and dance club having both inside and outside space.
The former Splash Nightclub in Bermuda has reopened as LV's Piano Jazz bar and lounge. It's located in Hamilton city and offers Jazz and other live music.
Located at the heart of Hamilton City on Front Street, Moon Nightclub in Bermuda offers a safe, relaxed and high end social nightclub experience. Their highlights are open air dance and music, and exceptionally good security measures.
This festive celebration takes place weekly on every Wednesday in Hamilton during summer. You can have great fun with families and kids.
The whole Front Street and few other major streets get closed to vehicles and become live with lights, dance, music, many vendors selling local food and snacks, art and craft, knick knacks etc.
Harbor Night, Photo: Pickled Onion, Bermuda
On every Monday, Royal Naval Dockyard offers nightly festive celebrations with fun filled activities including live music, dance, cultural shows, craft work, food vendors etc.
Other than beachside dinner, you can enjoy whole host of entertainment including dancing and singing contests, congo lines, limbo dancing, DJs and steel pans.
The club organizes musical nights usually on the first Saturday of the month. They bring in local talents as well as overseas performers. The events are open to both members and non-members including visitors. Check out the above link for details about the event.
Initiated by Bermuda Department of Tourism, this open-air musical and dance program features some of the best local talents from the island.
It is held between June and October twice a month at Barr's Bay Park in Hamilton City, and complete with nice food offerings. Admission is free.
This celebration is held on every Tuesday evening at King Square. It includes entertainment, local arts and crafts, music and a lot more activities.
From May-end, Heritage Night is celebrated at the dockyard on every Thursday for 18 consecutive weeks.
The event showcases the traditions and heritage of the island and includes demonstrations of kite making, Bermuda's traditional game of Cricket and more. There are performances from local dancers and musicians. Vendors set up stalls for food and beverages.
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 By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj, a seasoned travel writer and Bermuda destination expert, has extensive global travel experience. This website reflects his profound insights, garnered over nearly two decades of dedicated findings and research on the island. Raj has assisted countless Bermuda-bound visitors by providing direct, personalized responses to their queries and imparting his wealth of knowledge through this platform. This site serves as an indispensable guide for those seeking informed and reliable insights into Bermuda's treasures.
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Steve Morris (April 2019)
I'm arriving on a Carnival Cruise in September. It's my first time back to Bermuda since the '80s. I understand that one of my favorite spots, the Clay House Inn burned down a while back. Is there a similar venue near Kings Wharf?
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) April 2019
Hi, during your visits in the 80s, Clayhouse Inn (at Devonshire) was a buzzing music club and bar that attracted many talented musicians and bands. After it was burned down in 2002, it did reopen later for a while, but could not live up to its reputation... in fact it became a notorious place and closed for good thereafter. The closest to that was Hubbie's Jazz Bar which too closed and so did Chewstick Neo Griot Lounge. Nothing quite similar exists today in the island other than several bars that offer live bands and few nightclubs mostly in Hamilton. You can take the direct ferry from Kings Wharf to Hamilton. Frog and Onion Pub at the dockyard (Kings Wharf) too offers live music when cruise ships are in port. You can also try The Aqua nightclub at the Snorkel Park in Dockyard... mostly dance and loud live music on the beach.
Laura Milsom (June 2016)
Hi Raj - we're cruising into Bermuda in September, and wonder which bars offer happy hour, as beer prices on the island are a bit steep. We really only drink beer, and haven't seen a posting specifically addressing this. Cheers, appreciate your feedback!
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2016
Hi, several options for great prices on beer in happy hour - Harbourfront (5-6:30pm, mon-fri, located below BUEI in Hamilton), Bistro at the Beach, Docksider (both on Front street, Hamilton).
Brenda A Logan (March 2016)
Hi, Raj. My daughter, my 14 yr old granddaughter, and I are coming to Bermuda this summer. Only docking for one night but would like to check out night life. Is the 14 yr old allowed to attend the pubs with us?
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) March 2016
Hi, legal age of drinking in Bermuda is 18. Pubs won't allow anybody below that age. But restaurants that also serve alcoholic beverages would have no such entry restrictions
Lynn (June 2015)
Hi, my husband and I are looking at coming to Bermuda next year, we are thinking of staying at the Newstead Belmont as it is quite reasonably priced and seems quite close to Hamilton. We are in our late 50s early 60s but do like a bit of a dance in an evening (not ballroom!) are we likely to find anything in Hamilton or should we be looking more at a hotel with evening entertainment? Kind regards.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2015
Hi, there are several nightclubs (basically bars/pubs with dance floors) in Hamilton. It's mostly dance to DJ's music, live performances take place in one or two places on few days of the week. You can look into Spinning Wheels Nightclub (old one and mostly visited by locals), Cafe Cairo etc.
Martin O'Sullivan (May 2014)
We will arrive on June 13, 2014 at Kings Wharf at 6:30 pm. Our party is Grandparents, two granddaughters and daughter. Would like a nice evening off the ship with some local color (a pub if 16 and 18 year olds are accepted) and dinner. Any suggestions for venues and means of transportation. And thank you for one of the most interesting websites in my experience.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) May 2014
Here are some options:
1) Frog and Onion Pub: It's a well known popular pub in the island, has a draught beer brewery of its own and located within the dockyard itself. From the cruise pier you can easily walk down to the pub.
2) Swizzle Inn however is the most famous and the oldest pub of Bermuda. The original pub is in Hamilton Parish. You can take a ferry from the dockyard to Hamilton City (20 minutes) and then a bus (#1, 3) to the pub (about 30 minutes), and same way back. Watch the timings of the ferries. On Saturdays and Sundays, you won't find a ferry to return after 6pm and the only option would be bus (#7, 8) which will take about 1 hour from Hamilton City.
4) Henry's VIII Pub and Restaurant - this is a locals' favorite and you can expect to see many locals here. It's in Southampton (about 30 minutes by bus #7).
Norman Cotterill (January 2014)
Hello, I arrived in Bermuda in 1983 and the Longtail bar was going strong. Many a great night up stairs. Opposite the Flag Pole and Burnaby Hill....live music great fun.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) January 2014
For readers ... Longtail Bar does not exist any longer. Also see the comment from Barrie Noyes below, who too enjoyed the bar.
John Weber (September 2013)
I'm coming to Bermuda next week from Wednesday to Monday for a combination business and pleasure trip. Like the beach but im not a sun worshipper, more social in the pubs. How much should I expect to spend and where do you suggest I stay. Thanks John
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) September 2013
Hi John, If you are not a beach lover, stay in Hamilton. That's where the nightlife is. Try out the Hog Penny Pub, the oldest in Hamilton and very popular. The bar at Pickled Onion is also good. Great views of the Harbor from the balcony. Price wise both are mid-range.
Average cost of cocktails would be $10, beer $8 and wine by glass $8. Try out Swizzle Inn one evening. Another mid range pub, the oldest in the island, inventor of Rum Swizzle and probably the most famous. It's in Hamilton Parish and not too far away. Cheers!
Barrie Noyes (June 2013)
Hello I visited Bermuda on several occasions as a British Navy Officer between 1959 and 1960 and am trying to trace what happened to a Bar which we used to frequent called the Longtail Bar on Front Street in Hamilton. I believe the owner was a woman called Gigi Zouro ( I may have spelt that incorrectly).
My fellow officers and I spent many good times in the Long Tail Bar and on your beautiful Island. Have you any knowledge about what happened to the Bar as I cannot now find any recollection of it on the Web Site. Thanking you for your very kind attention in this enquiry Best Regards. Barrie Noyes. R.N. Retired
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2013
Hello, there is no trace of the Longtail Bar now. Time has taken its toll and memories are short. All I could gather is, it was known as Longtail Club, located on Front Street above Penthouse Restaurant and Bar. Open roof covered balcony overlooking Front Street and the harbor was a great casual friendly place to enjoy drinks. Both Longtail Bar and Penthouse Restaurant are non-existent today, and there is very few information about them.
David McDonald (Boston) September 2012
Great website chock full of very useful information. My wife and I will be cruising from Boston to Bermuda next Friday and will be at Kings Wharf from the 25th to the 27th. If you would, please name 3 pubs, not jammed with tourists (like us), where locals stop in for a pint or two.
On all of our vacations we try to search out pubs where we can meet some local folk. Also, would it be too much of an undertaking to go from the ship to the Black Horse Tavern in St. David's for dinner? Thanks so much for your assistance!
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) September 2012
Hi David, on your first question, Swizzle Inn is the oldest and the most popular pub in Bermuda. But for obvious reasons, that is likely to be jammed with tourists like yourselves. My favorites are Henry VIII (where you will mostly find locals), North Rock Brewery (a typical British style pub offering hand crafted fresh beer) and Hog Penny (Hamilton's oldest pub of traditional British style but likely to be a bit crowded due to its location). You will find details of all these above under the section "Top Bermuda Bars and Pubs".
On your second question, Bermuda is really small and no distance is a big distance. Take the direct ferry from Kings Wharf to St. George (the Orange Route). It takes about 35 minutes and then take bus #6 to Black Horse Tavern. Easy! But note the Orange Route ferry timings (only few services). If that doesn't work, then take blue route ferry to Hamilton (20 minutes), then a bus (#10, 11) to St George and then change to #6 for St Davids where Black Horse Tavern is located. Have a great time in Bermuda!!
Tina DaBella (New York) August 2012
Hi, You have an excellent and informative site. I have a group cruise (about 8 cabins) going to Bermuda 9/23-30/2012. Do you know if the Harbor nights will still be going on this last week of Sept? Also, I am trying to put together a "pub crawl" for them do to.
I was thinking maybe trying 3 or 4 pubs in Hamilton then heading to the Dockyard for 3 or 4 pubs (their ship will be docked at the dockyard so wanted to end them there. Do you have recommendations for pubs in those areas that I might map out an itinerary for them? I'm looking to keep it easy...walking in each area with either ferry, bus or taxi from Hamilton to Dockyard. I would love any recommendations you could give. Thank you for your time.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2012
Hi Tina, Harbor nights in 2012 is scheduled from April 25 for 20 consecutive weeks. So going with this plan, the last harbor night for the year should take place in the last week of September.
There are plenty of good pubs and bars in Hamilton, and they are all mostly within walking distance. Here are some that I like: Hog Penny, Docksiders, Robinhood (10 mins walk from Front Street), Flanagans, Pickled Onion, etc. In Dockyard area try Frog n' Onion, Bonefish bar and grill. Some of the best pubs of Bermuda are in other parishes (not in Hamilton or Dockyard area), like Swizzle Inn, North Rock Brewery, Henry VIII etc. See if you can accommodate one of them in your 'Pub Crawl'.
One question though... having consumed drink in so many pubs in your 'pub crawl' plan, do you think your guests would be in a position to walk up and board the cruise ship finally, or crawl up? :-D. Would appreciate if you let me know how it goes. I would like to create a separate section on my website based on your experience. Thanks,
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