Nightlife · Nassau · Bahamas
Nassau nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Nassau, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Nassau's nightlife revolves around resort casinos, bars and lounges on Paradise Island and Cable Beach, the weekend buzz at the Arawak Cay Fish Fry and a few bars along Bay Street. The main areas are Paradise Island, Cable Beach, Arawak Cay and Downtown Bay Street.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Paradise Island
- Local drink
- Kalik and Sands beer
Where to go out
Paradise Island
Atlantis's casino, bars and nightclub, plus restaurants at Marina Village.
Cable Beach
Baha Mar's casino, lounges and bars along the resort strip.
Arawak Cay
Fish Fry shacks with music and local crowds, especially on weekend evenings.
Downtown Bay Street
Bars and pubs that are livelier on cruise days and quieter at night.
Nightlife tips
- Take taxis at night rather than walking between areas.
- Bring photo ID for casinos and bars; the minimum age for both is 18.
- Junkanoo parades start in the early hours of 26 December and 1 January; arrive early for a good spot.
Evening sights
Experience · West Bay Street
Arawak Cay Fish Fry
Order a conch salad and watch it being chopped to order, then share a plate of fried snapper.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
What to drink
- Kalik and Sands beer — Kalik, named after the sound of Junkanoo cowbells, and Sands are the two main Bahamian lagers.
- Goombay Smash — A fruity rum punch of coconut rum, dark rum and pineapple juice that originated in the Abaco islands and is served across the Bahamas.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 25°C (77°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:41 | 18°C (64°F) | 6 |
| April | About 19:32 | 20°C (68°F) | 5 |
| July | About 20:02 | 25°C (77°F) | 12 |
| October | About 18:42 | 23°C (73°F) | 12 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Bay Street, Parliament Square, the Straw Market, Queen's Staircase and Junkanoo Beach are all within a 15-minute walk of the cruise piers.
- Bus — Carry exact change in small bills, and ask the driver to tell you when to get off.
- Taxi — Licensed taxis have fixed government-set fares between zones, plus charges for extra passengers and bags; confirm the fare before setting off.
- Ferry — Water taxis run between Prince George Wharf and Paradise Island throughout the day, a scenic alternative to a taxi across the bridge.
Late-night bites
- Conch fritters — Beach bars, the Fish Fry and resort pool bars.
Staying safe at night
Tourist areas are generally calm, but petty theft and bag-snatching occur, and some neighbourhoods away from the tourist zones are best avoided at night. Use licensed taxis, keep valuables out of sight on beaches, and respect red flags on beaches with currents.
- Emergency number
- 911 or 919 (police, ambulance, fire)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for families, luxury, beach and nightlife
Paradise Island
Linked to Nassau by two bridges, Paradise Island is home to the Atlantis resort's water park, aquarium and casino, as well as quieter luxury hotels and Cabbage Beach, the longest beach on this side of the island. The Marina Village and Hurricane Hole areas have restaurants and yachts.
- Good
- Best beaches close to town; Atlantis water park and aquarium; Upscale dining
- Watch out
- Very expensive; Resort-centric and crowded in high season; Bridge toll and taxi costs into town
- Nearby
- Atlantis Aquaventure, Cabbage Beach, Versailles Gardens, Marina Village
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Nassau?
Paradise Island, Cable Beach and Arawak Cay. Atlantis's casino, bars and nightclub, plus restaurants at Marina Village.
+Which area of Nassau is best for nightlife?
Paradise Island: Resort island across the harbour, dominated by Atlantis and Cabbage Beach.