21 Best Bars in Bermuda

With a wall of doors that open up on to Front Street, one of the widest selections of beers on the island, and multiple large television screens around the room, the Dog House is pretty much "where we all end up," and it's a very happy place. Along with a great beer selection, there are various cocktails on offer, and bar snacks are served until 10 pm. Multiple DJs play mostly R&B, soca, and Top 40 hits; during the summer DJs take over upstairs at the sister event space, Cafe Cairo. On weekends, the place is packed with late-night revelers.

This open-air bar along a busy part of Front Street is the perfect laid-back venue to stop at during the day for a cold beer or frosty cocktail. When the sun goes down and the string lights are alight, it's also the place to come for an upbeat evening with music and, often, dancing under the stars. The Front Yard also shows plenty of popular sports, and the on-site food truck, Generosa's, sells bar snacks and burgers.

The popular restaurant and bar, decorated with rich oak paneling and polished brass, has reliably decent live entertainment, especially on weekends. There's a grand piano in the bar, and local entertainers often perform sing-along sessions. A chill, Sunday-night jazz session is a great way to recharge your batteries.

As the island's outpost of the renowned Brooklyn tiki bar, the Sunken Harbour Club is the perfect spot to sip on tropical cocktails and watch the sun set over Mangrove Bay. ​The vintage \"nautical cocktail bar\" is wrapped in wood paneling and dark green tile, which enhances the cozy atmosphere of this sophisticated setting. Enjoy unique libations and island-inspired nibbles, or visit their website to learn about upcoming exclusive events, like the Michter’s Whiskey Dinner, which puts a spotlight on curated pairings and gourmet cuisine.

Proudly bearing the motto \"Swizzle Inn, swagger out,\" this busy and unique spot is a must-see for visitors. Business cards, exotic money, photos of friends, and even love notes completely cover the walls, ceilings, and doors. Even the tables are scratched with messages and signatures. As the name suggests, it's the best place on the island for a jug of Rum Swizzle. Entertainment in the summer includes live bands, pub quizzes, and barbecues.

During the high season from April through September, the Hamilton Princess's Marina Nights happy hour at the 1609 Bar & Restaurant is the place to be seen on Friday from 5 to 9 pm. Enjoy tasty cocktails, live music, and a selection of light bites. The views of elegant yachts in the harbor draw a lively crowd of locals and visitors alike to the magnificent marina of the famous hotel. The vibe is trendy, so don your stylish duds for this night. It's also worth checking what other nightly goings-ons are taking place at the hotel, as there's often live music, quiz nights, and other special events.

For a quick snack and cocktail after an afternoon in the sun, stop at the Atrium Bar & Lounge at the Coco Reef Resort in Paget. Settled to the east of Elbow Bay, the star of the show at the Atrium is the stunning view afforded by its perch above the sand. Friday nights are for music, often hosted by a DJ, but check the website before making the trek, especially if you aren't staying in the area.

A cross between an outdoor café and a sports bar, this place (generally called just The Beach) is clean and relatively cheap, with large television screens showing live sports during the day. At night it operates somewhere between a bar and a nightclub, attracting a mixed (and often rowdy) collection of tourists and locals. The outdoor seating area gets especially crowded into the wee hours of the morning. There's usually a DJ and drink specials.

Commonly known as \"Dockies,\" this bar attracts a loud and fun-loving crowd that can linger long into the night. Sports fanatics and competitive drinkers gather en masse to support their favorite teams, face off in weekly beer pong tournaments, and play a couple rounds of darts. The no-frills bar at the entrance always offers a lively party atmosphere and reasonably priced pub food. On weekends, the large back room is opened to make space for partiers and a live DJ. There's sometimes a cover charge for theme parties, bands, and tie-ins with local sporting events.

With live music or a DJ on weekends and all the expected beverages, as well as a host of fun drinks like frozen Mudslides, homey Flanagan's Irish Pub is a firm favorite of folks who like to dance and talk over drinks. Adjoining the Irish pub is its sister bar, Outback Sports Bar, at the same address. Twenty-two giant screens show live sports, and the walls are plastered with photographs of Bermuda's sporting heroes.

Small cozy Hog Penny, aka the Cheers bar, was the inspiration for the Bull & Finch Pub in Boston. With dark-wood paneling and hearty comforting fare like steak-and-kidney pie and bangers and mash, the Hog Penny will likely remind you more of an English country pub than a Boston hangout. Live music plays most nights in the summer, and the floor is cleared for dancing. It can be very busy.

Karma is a chic addition to Hamilton's eclectic party scene, and this spot attracts a crowd that likes to dance. Ascend a red-carpeted flight of stairs into the open-air courtyard to be greeted by a giant Buddha head sculpture and get ready for a high-energy party with a state-of-the-art sound system, dynamic lighting, and a spacious dance floor. The club hosts lots of special event nights, so check the website for upcoming happenings.

Set inside a former warehouse, Moongate Brewing Co. brews their beers on-site (try the Old Town, a refreshing lager perfect on a warm day). The sprawling interior of the brewery, which once housed the World Heritage Center, provides plenty of space to relax, whether you're mingling with friends over a brew, catching a game or battling it out on one of the arcade games on the second floor.

There's also a waterside patio complete with picnic benches, making it an ideal spot to linger. There are often food trucks on-site, including Crispy's, which sells freshly made Malaysian crêpes stuffed with either a savory or sweet filling that team up perfectly with these locally made brews.

With its relaxed atmosphere and stunning views of the Great Sound, Woody’s offers the perfect spot for an authentic Bermudian experience. Enjoy live music or karaoke, and join in the lively banter with the friendly locals at this quintessential hangout.

As well as being a relaxed and traditional pub and restaurant, the North Rock Brewing Company is one of only a few places on the island to get a genuine Bermuda-brewed ale. Try a sampler for a taste of all six of North Rock's famous beers—ranging from the sharp St. David's Light Ale to the head-spinning Whale of Wheat. The relaxed outdoor seating area is the perfect place for a breather if the pub gets too noisy.

With a cosmopolitan feel and a harbor-view terrace, the Pickled Onion's restaurant and bar cater to a well-heeled crowd of locals and visitors. Live music and DJs play from about 10 pm to 1 am on Tuesday through Saturday in the summer. 

Casual and friendly, the Robin Hood is popular for inexpensive pub fare, pizza, and beer served on the patio under the stars. There's almost always something sports related on the TV, and a late-night snack menu is served until 11 pm. There's a popular quiz night on Tuesdays and happy hour prices throughout the week, making it worth the short walk from Front Street.

With an intimate dining area and expansive bar, Sea Breeze Terrace overlooks the cool blue waters just beyond the south shore's Elbow Beach. On weeknights, it's simply perfect for a quiet evening for two; on Friday and Saturday, things heat up with tapas, cocktails, and live music.

An unpretentious bar with down-to-earth bar staff, this spot also has great views of the water. It's a decent spot for a quiet pint in the West End thanks to its outdoor terrace. Pull up a chair and appreciate a true Bermudian watering hole at one of the summertime barbecues.

Another quiet intimate venue overlooking the south shore, you'll get fantastic views of—you guessed it—the dazzling display of Bermuda's orange and pink sunset here. You'll find complimentary entertainment most nights of the week from mid-April through mid-October, acts range from DJs to pianists to steel drummers. Whether indoors near the bar or on the breezy terrace, Sunset Lounge is perfect for a simple evening of fancy cocktails and conversation while you unwind after a day of exploration.

Locals and the yachting crowd gather at the Wharf for Rum Swizzles, moderately priced pub fare, and nautical talk. Waterfront tables, relaxed atmosphere, and pleasant service make this spot worth the journey to the far northeastern tip of the island.