Belize Bar-Hopping: Navigating The Nightlife

Belize is known for its vibrant nightlife, with a variety of bars offering everything from lively beach parties to refined wine bars. While partying usually starts in the afternoon, and many beachfront bars close around 10 pm, there are plenty of options for those who want to keep the night going. From late-night spots like Fido's Restaurant and Bar in San Pedro to the pumping dance floor of I&I Reggae Bar in Caye Caulker, there's something for everyone looking to enjoy Belize's nightlife. So, whether you're sipping cocktails by the beach or dancing the night away, Belize has plenty of options for a fun night out.

Reggae bars and clubs

Belize is known for its lively beach bars and vibrant nightlife. While there are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, reggae fans will find themselves spoiled for choice.

I&I Reggae Bar

I&I Reggae Bar in Caye Caulker is the place to be for reggae lovers. This three-level late-night club, open until 2 a.m., is known for its pulsating reggae music and lively dance floor. If you need a break from dancing, there's a section with swings, and the top floor offers a "chill-out zone" with hammocks and cozy nooks.

Barefoot Beach Bar

The Barefoot Beach Bar in Placencia is another great spot for reggae enthusiasts. With its no-shoes, no-shirt, no-problem vibe, this bar offers fantastic live music and ice-cold drinks. It's a great place to mingle with travellers from around the world and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar

Located in Placencia, the Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar often features live reggae music, along with soca and punta (local Garifuna music). There's a spacious dance area, karaoke, billiards, and multiple TVs showing sporting events. It's a popular spot that can get rowdy during spring break, so be prepared for a lively atmosphere.

Koko King

Also located in Caye Caulker, Koko King offers a more relaxed reggae experience with its comfortable hammock seating. It's a great option if you want to enjoy reggae music without the crowded dance floor.

Planet Hollywood Night Club

If you're looking for a clubbing experience, Planet Hollywood Night Club in Belize offers a blend of clean dancehall and reggae music. It's a great choice if you want to dance the night away to a mix of genres.

Beach bars

Belize's beach bars are renowned for their laid-back culture, eclectic food and drink, and stunning locations. Many beach bars in Belize close at 10 pm, but some remain open later.

Placencia & Hopkins

Placencia is known for having the best beaches in Belize, and the Barefoot Beach Bar is a great spot to enjoy live music and cold drinks. The Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar is another lively beachfront spot in Placencia, with live music, karaoke, billiards, and multiple TVs showing sports. The bar offers fresh drinks with local ingredients, such as coconut basil mojitos and melon mango punch.

Further south in Hopkins, you'll find the Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack, known for its pizza, cold Belikins, and vibrant social scene. The bar hosts live music most nights, and there's a Garifuna drum band every Tuesday.

Ambergris Caye

The Palapa Bar and Grill is a beloved spot in Ambergris Caye, perched on a dock over the Caribbean Sea. It offers stunning views, live music, and a wading section with inner tubes for guests to enjoy their drinks in the water.

For a classy yet unpretentious atmosphere, Stella's Sunset Wine Bar & Restaurant in Ambergris Caye is a great choice. Nestled in a lush garden on the edge of the San Pedro Lagoon, it offers a selection of wines and a menu of pizza, burgers, and Caribbean cuisine.

Caye Caulker

The Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill is an iconic spot, located at the famous Split where the island of Caye Caulker divides in two. It's known for its super-strong Green Lizard Juice and fresh fish tacos, and it's a perfect place to watch the sunset.

For reggae lovers, the I&I Reggae Bar is the place to be. This three-level bar has a pulsing dance floor, a section with swings, and a top floor with hammocks and a "chill-out zone". It stays open until 2 am.

Secret Beach

Blue Bayou, located at Secret Beach, was the first overwater bar and restaurant in the area. It offers breathtaking views of western San Pedro and is tucked away from the louder bars and restaurants. It's a great spot to spend the day, enjoying drinks and food at the partially submerged picnic tables.

Late-night spots

Belize's nightlife scene is vibrant and diverse, with options ranging from lively beach bars to refined wine bars. While partying usually starts in the afternoon, and many bars close around 10 pm, there are plenty of late-night spots to explore. Here are some of the best late-night destinations to visit in Belize:

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

San Pedro, known for its fishing culture, boasts a vibrant nightlife scene along its shore. Fido's Restaurant and Bar is a popular late-night spot, offering nightly drink specials, live music, and delicious food. Big Daddy's, with its cosy ambience and beachside campfire vibe, serves delectable barbecue. For those who want to dance the night away, Jaguar's Temple is the place to be, featuring multilevel seating, two fully-stocked bars, and a state-of-the-art audio and video system.

Placencia Village, Placencia Peninsula

Placencia's nightlife defies its "village" designation, offering a surprisingly diverse range of options. Barefoot Beach sets a casual, laid-back tone, reminiscent of a beach party. Tipsy Tuna is the place to go for a game of pool and a lively atmosphere. Turtle Inn, recognised as one of the "Top 16 Beach Bars in the World" by Fodor's, is another must-visit destination. For a truly unique experience, venture to D'Eclipse Entertainment Club to immerse yourself in the traditional dancing and music of Belize's Garifuna community.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker's nightlife is characterised by the pulsating rhythms of reggae music. I&I Reggae Bar, with its three levels, is the place to be for those who want to dance. The bar features a dance floor, swings, hammocks, and a "chill-out zone". For a more relaxed atmosphere, Koko King offers comfortable hammock seating. The Lazy Lizard, located on prime beachfront property, is another popular choice, known for its stunning sunsets.

San Ignacio

San Ignacio, the second-largest town in Belize, concentrates most of its nightlife along Burns Avenue. Eva's Restaurant caters to tourists and expats, while Blue Angels is a popular nightclub. For a more local experience, Camp 6 is the perfect laid-back spot to shoot pool and socialise, with a karaoke bar next door.

Sports bars

Sky Deck Sports Bar And Grill

Located on Baymen Avenue, Sky Deck Sports Bar and Grill is a popular spot for sports enthusiasts in Belize City.

ALG Reggae Sports Bar

ALG Reggae Sports Bar is another option for sports fans in Belize City. It is located in San Antonio, Corozal.

Croc's Sports Bar

Located north of the bridge in San Pedro, Croc's Sunset Sports Bar & Grill is a multi-level sports bar and grill offering amazing views of the lagoon. It features 15 big-screen TVs, a full bar, and a variety of food options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.

Sidelines Sports Bar

Sidelines is a relatively new sports bar in the San Cas building in San Pedro. It is one of the few places that can regularly stay open past midnight due to its enclosed space. It offers beer towers, occasional DJ nights, and karaoke on Sundays.

Carlo & Ernie's Runway Bar

Located next to the San Pedro airport tarmac, Runway Bar is a spacious sports bar with plenty of TVs and projectors. It is a favourite among locals and expats, and patrons are encouraged to wear their sports jerseys and bring their flags.

Average Joe's Sports Bar

Average Joe's is a well-known sports bar in South Ambergris Caye that also hosts special events with live bands and karaoke nights.

Playtime Sports Bar

Playtime Sports Bar, located on the second floor of the Sancas Plaza on Trigger Fish Street, is a spacious and air-conditioned sports bar with a central bar and different seating areas. It features images of sports icons on the walls and several HD flat-screen TVs for watching your favourite matches. It is usually open from noon to 11 PM, Wednesday through Monday, and is closed on Tuesdays.

Lola's Pub

Lola's Pub is a small Chicago-style pub in San Pedro, known for its drink selection and air-conditioned setting. It is a popular spot among locals and expats, occasionally staying open until 1 AM on weekends.

Barrier Reef Sports Bar

Barrier Reef Sports Bar, located in Caye Caulker, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour specials daily from 3 PM to 6 PM.

Sports Bar at Caye Caulker

This sports bar is another option for patrons looking to enjoy a drink and watch sports in Caye Caulker.

Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar, Placencia

Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar in Placencia is always filled with locals and features its own dancing area. It is a popular spot for a fun night out.

Nightlife in Placencia

Placencia is a quiet and remote beach destination in Belize, but that doesn't mean it's lacking in nightlife. The village has a few bars, and some of the larger resort hotels have lively nightlife scenes.

The Barefoot Beach Bar and the Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar are two popular spots in town, located right next to each other on the beach. The Barefoot Beach Bar is known for its friendly staff, colourful atmosphere, live music, and tasty burgers. It has a no-shoes, no-shirt, no-problem vibe, and its outdoor setting makes it a great spot to mingle with travellers from all over the world. The Tipsy Tuna, on the other hand, is more of a late-night place, with pool tables, karaoke, and regular live music. It's a lively beachfront bar that often hosts live reggae, soca, and punta music. It also has a spacious dance area and multiple TVs showing sporting events. You might even catch a game of beach volleyball there.

If you're looking for something more low-key, a stroll on the beach under the stars is always a good option. You can also try Jaguar Bowling Lanes, the only bowling alley in Belize, or head to the Pickled Parrot, another popular spot in Placencia. For something more upscale, there's The Fine Taste Placencia, which offers wine and small charcuterie plates. If you're looking to dance the night away, The Street Feet Lounge & Night Club is the place to be.

Frequently asked questions