Maracaibo Bar & Lounge
Blauwgrond's easygoing hangout for cocktails, cold beers, and late Paramaribo nights
Why Go
Tucked on the corner of Joli Coeurstraat in Paramaribo's Blauwgrond neighborhood, Maracaibo is the kind of neighborhood bar-lounge where a quick after-work Parbo turns into a four-hour night — friendly regulars, an eclectic drink list, and a warm, unfussy Surinamese welcome.
The Experience
Maracaibo feels less like a slick nightclub and more like a well-loved local lounge that just happens to stay open late. The room hums at a comfortable volume through the week and turns into a proper party on Thursday-through-Saturday nights, when the crowd swells past midnight and the music picks up. Expect a mixed clientele of Paramaribo locals, expats, and travellers staying at the nearby guesthouses — English is spoken, Dutch and Sranan Tongo drift across the bar, and no one bats an eye at a solo visitor pulling up a stool. The lighting is low, the staff are chatty, and the pace is unmistakably Surinamese: slow to start, generous once you're in.
What to Try
Order a local cocktail built around Borgoe or Black Cat rum for a proper taste of Suriname — the bartenders will happily riff if you tell them what you like. If you're keeping it simple, an ice-cold Parbo Bier in the tall bottle is the local reflex and pairs well with the bar snacks. Ask what's on the happy-hour list when you arrive; the discounted pours are the best way to sample two or three drinks before committing to a favourite.
Insider Tip
Time your visit around happy hour or a scheduled live-music night — both meaningfully change the vibe (and your bill). Weeknights (Tue-Wed) close at midnight and are best for a quieter drink and conversation; Thursday to Saturday runs until 2:30 am and is when Maracaibo shows its lounge-and-dance side. Sunday winds down early at 10 pm, so treat it as a sundowner rather than a late night.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Joli Coeurstraat 1, Paramaribo (Blauwgrond neighbourhood, a short taxi ride north-east of the historic centre). Hours: Tue-Wed 12:00-00:00, Thu-Sat 12:00-02:30, Sun 12:00-22:00, closed Monday. Cash (SRD) is always welcome; card acceptance can be patchy in Paramaribo, so bring some Surinamese dollars as backup. Grab a taxi or rideshare back to your hotel after dark rather than walking unfamiliar streets.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — One of the closest places to bed down after a late night at Maracaibo — a five-minute ride keeps the evening simple.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Burn off the night before with a half-day ATV adventure in Suriname's interior, then come back to Maracaibo for a cold Parbo debrief.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — A high-energy river-tubing day trip that pairs perfectly with a laid-back cocktail evening at the lounge.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Handy for pairing a Paramaribo nightlife stop with next-day road-trip freedom to Commewijne or the coast.
