Nightlife & the Arts in Bermuda

Bermudians love to drink. That's the title of a popular local song, and it hits the nail right on the head. Yes, the island that gave the world the Dark 'n Stormy and the rum swizzle might not have the largest selection of hot spots in which to party the night away, but what Bermuda lacks in venues it makes up for in attitude. Tourists, expats, and locals all mix together to create a melting-pot social scene, especially on Friday nights—the unofficial party day for just about everyone living on the Rock. The vibe is civilized but still fun and friendly, and if you're not sure where you want to go, just ask around; people will be more than happy to give you their thoughts—they might even buy you a drink!

If you prefer your nightlife to have more culture than rum concoctions, there's still plenty to do. Hubie's Bar is host to the island's finest jazz artists, and City Hall provides a venue for visiting artists on an ad hoc basis. Dramatic productions take place across a variety of venues—anywhere from a hotel auditorium to the back of a Front Street pub.

For a rundown of what's hot and happening in Bermuda, pick up the Bermuda Calendar of Events brochure at any Visitor Information Centre. The free monthly Preview Bermuda magazine also lists upcoming island events and can be accessed online at www.previewbermuda.com. The Bermudian ($5), a monthly magazine, has a calendar of events, as does RG magazine, which is included free in the Royal Gazette newspaper on the first Thursday of the month. This Week in Bermuda, another free magazine, describes arts and nightlife venues. The Bermuda Sun newspaper has a "Scene" section on Friday, which includes an events calendar. It's also a good idea to check www.boxoffice.bm for upcoming show information.

Some hotels carry a TV station that broadcasts information about the island's cultural events and nightlife. Radio VSB, FM 1450, gives a lineup of events daily at 11:15 AM. You can also dial 974 for recorded information. Because the arts scene in Bermuda is so casual, many events and performers operate on a seasonal or part-time basis. Bulletin boards are also good places to check for upcoming events.

Nightlife

Hamilton is the island's central nightlife hub, with a smattering of decent bars and clubs, featuring live music and drink promotions. Outside of the city there's a thriving nightlife scene within the hotels. In summer, weekly cruises and beach bashes add to the party scene.

Don't overlook the work of local musicians: Bermuda has a long tradition of producing superb jazz artists and hosts an annual jazz festival in fall. One of the best places to catch a jam session is at Hubie's Bar on Friday night; it's a typical jazz bar that caters to the forty-plus crowd. Everyone knows where Hubie's is, so a cab can easily get you there—and it's the kind of place where your neighbor at the bar could be a mail carrier or a member of Parliament.

As a general rule, both men and women tend to dress smart-casual for clubs. This means you may not want to wear T-shirts, ratty jeans, or running shoes. Pubs and clubs begin to fill up around 9:30 or 10.

The Arts

Bermuda's arts scene is concentrated in a number of art galleries—Masterworks in the Botanical Gardens, City Hall in Hamilton, and the Arts Centre in Dockyard are the best known—a handful of performance venues, and a few gathering spots, like Rock Island Coffee Café on Reid Street. For dramatic and musical performances, the City Hall Theatre and the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium host the country's best, including Bermuda Festival events. It's also home to the annual Bermuda Idol competition based on the popular American show.

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