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Entertainment Overview

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 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.

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.

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.

If you're looking for something a little more fast-paced than a pub or lounge, there's a thriving party scene with various organizers competing to host top nights out. Unite, Siren Productions, and Volcanic all cater to a trendy, friendly crowd with events ranging from beach parties to opulent color-theme extravaganzas at the Fairmont Southampton. There's no strict schedule or venue for these parties, so look for ads in the local press or check out www.volcanic.bm and www.unite.bm.

Nightlife Top 5

A jug of rum swizzle, some fine barbecued food, and decent live music at the Swizzle Inn.

Limbo dance with the local ladies at Hawkins Island.

Happy-hour drinks in the grand gardens of the Hamilton Princess, and admire the yachts in the harbor.

Chill out to the island's best jazz music at Hubie's.

Stomp the boards at Café Cairo after a few too many Dark 'n Stormy's.