Happy Hour on St. Maarten / St. Martin: Rarely Just an Hour
Double Happy Hour Fun in an Already Double Destination Offer.
On St. Maarten, “happy hour” is rarely limited to an hour. An informal saying amongst tourism professionals on the island is that the unique combination of the Dutch and French sides provides a “2-for-1” holiday deal; the same can be said about happy hours. This discounted hour of beverages (and sometimes bites) is, without exception, two hours or even longer on St. Maarten. Happy hours can be considered an island-wide tradition, a common starting point for a sumptuous dinner, confirming its reputation as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.” In any regard, being at your favorite spot on time can save you some bucks – especially during sunset!
Selecting Your Happy Hour of Choice
Throughout the island, you will find different approaches to this appetizer for your night out. No two establishments seem to interpret the concept in quite the same way, nor is the timeframe the same at all locations, creating the opportunity for you to actually do a Happy Hour pub crawl if you would like to. It also allows one day cruise visitors to sample a bit of this tradition if their cruise arrival and departure allows.
Next to the differences in timeframe, your choice of venue all depends on your appetite for drink types and settings for the evening. Some offer half-price drinks, others 2-for-1, and some especially offer deals on Caribbean cocktails or wines. Some beach clubs even offer Happy Hour Bites to go along with your drink.
Happy Hour Suggestions
Here are some great suggestions for starting your evening out with Happy Hours, and how their format is.
| Location | Area | Style | Current hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topper’s Restaurant & Bar | Simpson Bay | Happy Hour Bites | 2–6 PM daily |
| Tortuga Maho | Maho | Happy Hour + live music afterward | 3–5 PM daily |
| Replay Restaurant & Bar | Simpson Bay | Daily Happy Hour | 3–6 PM daily |
| D’s Beach Bar & Grill | Maho / Simpson Bay | Beach Happy Hour / drinks | 4–6 PM |
| Seaview Beach Hotel | Philipsburg | Sunset / “Island’s Best” Happy Hour | 4–7 PM |
| Buccaneer Beach Bar | Simpson Bay | Beach Happy Hour | 5–7 PM daily |
| Rendez-Vous Lounge | Cupecoy | Half-price drinks | 5–7 PM |
| MIX at Oceans | Little Bay | Wine Down Wednesday: 50% off wine + tapas | 5–9 PM Wed. |
| La Patrona | Simpson Bay | 2-for-1 cocktails | 7–10 PM Fri. |
Happy Hour Crawl
If you are planning an in-depth Happy Hour exploration, as you can tell from the list above, a Happy Hour Crawl can work especially well in the Simpson Bay and Maho areas. As many of the above overlap but differ somewhat in their Happy Hour timeframes, they give you the possibility to arrange your own St. Maarten Happy Hour route.
Other Suggestions
If you are looking for a Happy Hour, the following tips might add to your holiday fun on the island:
If you are looking for music or other special evenings to make your St. Maarten Happy Hour even happier, also see the weekly specials calendar. Additionally, see the St. Maarten / St. Martin events calendar if any annual festivals, regattas and concerts are taking place close to your Happy Hour location of choice.
If you are looking for great restaurants after your Happy Hour, explore our listing of great culinary offers. Additionally, the St. Maarten Flavors program now runs year-round, helping you select a signature dish – or snack – alongside your discounted drink.
If you are looking at Happy Hour from a budget angle, see our dedicated page with ideas for savings on the island.
Various bars offer special discounts on a monthly basis on StMaartenAuction.com. If you are planning your visit well in advance, it might be worthwhile to place a bid.
An additional way to save some money on your night out is to use the Visit VIP Pass – a complimentary discount card.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Maarten / St. Martin Happy Hours
1. What time does Happy Hour usually start in St. Maarten?
Most Happy Hours begin between 2 PM and 5 PM, with the strongest concentration around the late afternoon and sunset period.
2. How long does Happy Hour last in St. Maarten?
Despite the name, Happy Hour often lasts two to four hours. Many venues run promotions from the afternoon through sunset, while some extend them into the evening.
3. What can I expect during Happy Hour?
It varies by venue. Specials can include discounted drinks, half-price beverages, 2-for-1 cocktails, discounted wine, food specials and Happy Hour bites. Some venues combine the promotion with live music or sunset entertainment.
4. Where can I find the best sunset Happy Hours?
Several venues make the sunset and location part of the experience. Beach bars, waterfront restaurants and marina-side venues offer Happy Hours where the view is almost as important as the drink specials.
5. Is Happy Hour available every day in St. Maarten?
Many popular venues offer Happy Hour daily, while others limit their promotions to particular weekdays. Hours and specials can also change seasonally, so checking the venue’s current schedule before visiting is recommended.
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