Belize City After Dark: A Nightlife Guide

Belize City's nightlife scene is limited, and safety concerns may deter visitors from exploring the local nightspots. However, the city has a lively atmosphere with plenty of options for those seeking a fun night out. Hotel bars, such as the one at the Radisson Fort George, are popular choices for tourists. Belize City also offers boat tours, bar, club, and pub tours, and dance clubs for those who enjoy dancing. Outside the city, San Pedro and Ambergris Caye are known for their vibrant nightlife, with spots like Fido's Restaurant and Bar, Big Daddy's, and Jaguar's Temple. For a more casual beach party vibe, Placencia's Barefoot Beach and Tipsy Tuna are ideal. Caye Caulker's nightlife features reggae music, with venues like Koko King and I&I Reggae Bar showcasing live performances.

San Pedro's nightlife

San Pedro in Belize offers a vibrant and colourful nightlife scene, with something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a relaxed evening or a lively night out, San Pedro has you covered. The town may be small, but it's bursting with life after dark, with a variety of bars, clubs, and cultural experiences to enjoy.

One of the best things about San Pedro's nightlife is the beach bars. You can sip on a cold drink with your toes in the sand at bars like Wayo's, The Hut, and Sandbar Beachfront Restaurant. These bars usually close around midnight, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the ocean breeze and the sound of waves. If you're looking for a unique beach bar experience, Palapa Bar and Grill invites you to take a dip in the sea and provides inner tubes for its patrons.

For those who enjoy live music and dancing, San Pedro delivers a mix of local and international flavours. Traditional Garifuna drumming, modern reggae, and salsa beats can be found across the town. Fido's, a popular spot for live music, serves up cold drinks and tasty bar food under the largest thatch palapa in Belize, according to its owners. Average Joe's, another popular bar, offers live music every night except Tuesdays and is known for its impressive selection of wing flavours.

If you're feeling lucky, Captain Morgan's Retreat Casino, the island's only casino, is open until 4 am. It offers over 100 slot and video poker machines, live table games, poker tournaments, and a full bar with tapas and complimentary drinks.

For a more low-key evening, the Truck Stop, an outdoor food truck park, offers tasty food, ice cream, and an outdoor movie theatre. You can also find local food stalls serving delicious and affordable Belizean cuisine, including fresh seafood and savoury tacos.

San Pedro also has its fair share of quirky traditions, such as the famous Chicken Drop at Wahoo's Lounge. Every Thursday night, a chicken is placed on a giant bingo board, and people bet on where it will drop its business. It's an experience unique to San Pedro and a testament to the town's playful spirit.

Whether you're a beach bar hopper, a live music enthusiast, or a late-night foodie, San Pedro's nightlife will not disappoint. With its mix of vibrant and relaxed venues, it offers an unforgettable tropical adventure after dark.

Nightclubs and dance clubs

Belize City is the country's largest city and offers numerous opportunities for a night out. Princess Margaret Drive is a hotspot for nightlife, with various casinos and nightclubs. The nearby BTL Park is also a hub of nighttime activity from Thursdays through Sundays, with locals and tourists gathering for food and entertainment or taking a break from the many nearby clubs and casinos. The Marion Jones Sports Complex and the park often host performances by Belizean, Caribbean, and international artists.

When it comes to specific venues, the Barrel Bar & Lounge is a popular dance club in Belize City. The Blue Angels nightclub in San Ignacio, Belize's second-largest town, is also a good option for a night out. For those seeking a more local experience, D'Eclipse Entertainment Club in Placencia Village is the place to go to experience the traditional dancing and music of Belize's Garifuna population.

If you're looking for a beachside party, Coco Loco's Beach Bar in San Pedro is a fun spot for drinking games and tournaments, attracting both locals and tourists. Secret Beach Belize is another great option for lounging, swimming, and sipping tropical cocktails. For a more intimate and luxurious atmosphere, PUR Boutique Cabanas on Ambergris Caye offers an on-site bar, a Taco bar, and a swim-up pool bar.

For those seeking a more unique experience, village and municipal fairs held throughout the country offer a mix of mechanical rides, fair attractions, and dances, providing a great opportunity to meet locals and experience Belizean culture.

Bars and pubs

Belize City is known for its lively nightlife, with a variety of bars and pubs to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best spots to enjoy a drink and let loose:

Barrel Bar & Lounge

This bar and lounge is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. With a friendly and lively atmosphere, it's a great place to meet people and enjoy a night out. The bar offers a range of drinks and often features live music and entertainment. It's highly rated by travellers, so it's definitely worth a visit.

Coco Loco's Beach Bar

Coco Loco's is a cozy little pool and beach bar located in a condo complex just north of the bridge. It may be small, but it has a big personality! The owners, Sue and Steve, have fostered a strong community spirit, especially among expats on the island. Coco Loco's offers daily activities like trivia and cribbage, keeping the place hopping. It's open from noon to 10 pm, so you can easily spend a whole day here.

The Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill

The Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill is located right on The Split in Caye Caulker, a narrow channel that divides the island into two parts. It's one of the most social spots in the area, inviting tourists and locals to gather for a swim, a cocktail, and music. The bar has recently been upgraded, offering umbrella-covered wooden picnic tables, seating under palapas, and a new beach extension with steps leading into the sea. The food is typical bar fare, including burgers, fish tacos, and full meals like a lobster plate. The Lazy Lizard also hosts occasional full-moon parties, live music, family fun days, and beach volleyball tournaments.

Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar

The Tipsy Tuna is a lively beachfront bar in the heart of Placencia. It's known for its vibrant atmosphere, with colourful tables and chairs, leopard print walls, and snarky signs. It's the perfect spot for happy hour, with DJs spinning tunes and lively karaoke nights. The drinks are cheap and strong, and the food is not to be missed, especially if you enjoy well-spiced dishes and a variety of salsas.

Palapa Bar & Grill

No visit to Ambergris Caye is complete without spending an afternoon at the Palapa Bar. This overwater bungalow bar is perched at the end of a dock, surrounded by turquoise waters. It attracts a mix of locals, travellers, and friendly bartenders. On warm days, you can float in inner tubes next to the dock with cold buckets of Belize's famous Belikin beer. The bar also offers fun cocktails like Scotty's Palapa Punch, made with three types of rum, triple sec, mango, pineapple, and lime. The food is delicious, with recommendations including sausage dip, pulled pork sandwiches, and a half-pound burger.

So, if you're looking for a night out in Belize City, these bars and pubs are sure to offer a memorable experience. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot to chat with expats or a lively dance floor to show off your moves, Belize City has something for everyone!

Live music and entertainment

Belize City has a thriving live music scene, with a variety of venues offering diverse musical experiences. From hotel bars to cultural festivals, there is something for every taste. Here is an overview of the live music and entertainment landscape in Belize City:

Hotel Bars and Restaurants

Hotel bars are popular destinations for tourists seeking entertainment. The bar at the Radisson Fort George, for example, offers a comfortable and safe atmosphere with live entertainment on weekends, typically featuring a singer or a small band. The Tavern, another popular spot, serves drinks on a covered patio overlooking Haulover Creek. It also has an open-air deck with views of the garden and sea, attracting a mostly local crowd on weekends.

Diverse Musical Styles

Belize City's live music scene showcases a diverse range of musical styles, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage. One unique style is Punta Rock, based on the traditional punta rhythms of the Garífuna, using drums, turtle shells, and rattles. This style was popularised by artists like Pen Cayetano and Andy Palacio, who is known as "the ambassador of punta rock." In addition, Belizeans also enjoy karaoke, with a locally produced karaoke television show, "Karaoke TV," running since 2001.

Afro-Caribbean Music

Afro-Caribbean music is a significant part of Belize's cultural landscape. BAC Entertainment, a premier destination for Afro-Caribbean music, offers live music event booking and organisation. They curate diverse lineups featuring traditional Belizean cultural music such as Sambai, Kunjai, and Brukdown, as well as popular island genres like dancehall, reggae, soca, calypso, and Belize steel pan. BAC Entertainment is dedicated to preserving and promoting the vibrant rhythms that define the region.

Live Music Events

Belize City hosts various live music events, including cultural festivals, corporate functions, and private celebrations. These events showcase the best of Afro-Caribbean styles and traditional Belizean cultural music. The city's live music shows and clubs offer an eclectic mix of music, with rap being particularly popular. The Belize International Music and Food Festival is another notable event that celebrates the country's musical and culinary offerings.

Casinos and gaming

Belize City may not be known for its nightlife, but there are still plenty of options for those looking to try their luck at the casino tables.

The biggest casino in Belize City is at the Princess Hotel and Casino (also known as the Ramada Belize City Princess). It's the closest you'll get to a Las Vegas-style casino in this part of Central America. The casino has a glitzy, well-decorated interior with faux marble floors. It's small, with only three table games—American Roulette, Blackjack, and Caribbean Stud Poker—but it also has 300 slot machines. The casino is open from noon until 4 am, and there are free drinks for gamblers. While it's not on the scale of Vegas, it's certainly respectable and will keep casual gamblers happy. The hotel itself has been criticised, and the surrounding area is not considered safe, so it is recommended to take a taxi to and from the casino.

For those looking for more low-key gaming, there are gaming rooms in almost every city and town throughout Belize. However, these are aimed at locals and are often run-down and seedy.

If you're looking for something in between these two options, there are a few other casinos in Belize City. The Tropicana Lounge, for example, has been mentioned in reviews, but it's unclear whether it's currently open. There's also Captain's Casino on Ambergris Caye, which is purpose-built and has a wide array of classic table games and regular tournaments. It's open from 6 pm until 4 am every night.

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