Casinos & Nightlife

After Dark

Most of my experiences on Nassau / Paradise Island have been confined to daylight hours: sunning on a sandy beach, snorkeling with stingrays, shopping for jewelry I don’t need but can’t live without. When night comes around, I’m usually content to eat at one of my favorite restaurants (coriander-crusted beef carpaccio at Seafire Steakhouse in Marina Village or grouper almondine cooked to perfection at Luciano’s of Chicago), then retire early to rest up for another day exploring the island.

On this trip, I was determined to find out what my favorite island gets up to after dark. It didn’t take me long to realize that yes, the nightlife around here is just as hot as the weather. Here are some of my top picks.

Happiest Hours

Paradise Island’s only native waterfront restaurant, The Columbus Tavern, is an intimate, shorts-and-sandals-type establishment overlooking Nassau Harbour. Choose from its impressive array of tropical drinks or extensive wine list. The happy hour crowd enjoys free conch fritters.

If you crave a steady beat with your drinks, the Oasis Lounge has some of the best lounge tunes on the island. Listen to native singers entertain with a variety of island music such as lively calypso.

In the heart of the Crystal Palace Casino, where bartenders serve up cool drinks with flair, is the Junkanoo Bar. Add a lively atmosphere and you've got a distinctively Bahamian milieu that's fashionable, flirtatious and above all, fun.

Club Bunnies Welcome

Aura, a new 9,000-square-foot Jeffrey Beers-designed nightclub, operated by PURE Management Group, brings a new late night experience to Atlantis guests. Aura is raised off the casino floor where a grand staircase leads into the Nightclub. DJs spin, illuminating the glass dance floor which is surrounded by banquette seating. Two bars, two VIP sections and a private VIP Parlour complete this intimate experience.

Come join us at the chic 22 above lounge at Wyndham Nassau Resort on Cable Beach. 22 above offers complete cocktail service, an extensive martini list and crafted wines by the glass. Now featuring live music on Friday and Saturday nights where you can let loose on the dance floor.

It’s All About Style

Atlantis’ Nobu is the newest creation of acclaimed Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The sophisticated menu and texture-heavy décor – right down to the $16 martinis and wall of river rocks – is evocative of the original, uber-trendy New York City location. The main difference is that here, the waiting list hasn’t yet exceeded the two-month mark, so you’ve got a much better chance of getting past the hostess.

Located in a 260-year-old British Colonial mansion, the Graycliff Restaurant is the Caribbean’s first five-star restaurant and elegant dining at its finest. Your evening begins with cocktails in the parlor as you peruse the menu of Continental and Bahamian cuisine. You are then escorted into an exquisite dining room overlooking lush gardens. Wine lovers will relish selecting from the 250,000-bottle cellar. Afterwards, relax with a cognac or handcrafted cigar fresh from the in-house factory.

Cha-Ching

With 880 slot machines ringing all night, the “cha-ching” almost outdoes the “bling-bling” at the lavish Paradise Island Casino. Almost. At the largest casino in the Caribbean, you’re just as likely to bet against the house as you are a film star. If you’re a card shark, belly up to one of 46 blackjack or four Caribbean stud poker tables, or see if Lady Luck is on your side and throw the dice at one of seven craps games.

Smaller in scale but no less Vegas-tacular, the Crystal Palace Casino on Cable Beach is another action hot spot that promises “liberal table limits.” Sports betting is available at both casinos.