Toes in the Sand, Drink in Hand: My Go-To Beach Bars in Aruba
- Alanna O'Connor
- Feb 2
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 6
If you ask me where to grab a drink in Aruba, especially with your toes in the sand and/or a sunset involved, I will always steer you toward a beach bar. Aruba does beach bars really well — laid-back, social, great music, solid drinks, and unbeatable views. These are my personal favorites, the ones I go back to over and over again.
My all-time favorite beach bar in Aruba is Bugaloe Beach Bar & Grill — and yes, I’m very confident in that statement. It’s located in Palm Beach on a pier between the Hilton and the RIU Palace. If you’re staying in Palm Beach, just take the beach path straight there. If you’re staying elsewhere, you can park or get dropped off between the Hilton and RIU, follow the “Path to De Palm Pier,” and that’s it. Straight shot. You truly cannot get lost, I promise. And once you arrive, you’ll understand why I love it so much.
Bugaloe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the food is actually really good, not just “bar food good.” They have a great mix of fresh seafood, tacos, burgers, and classic bar favorites, so it’s easy to grab a meal while you’re there. The staff is amazing — friendly, fun, and always bringing great energy, which honestly makes the experience even better.
You can also rent chairs and umbrellas next door to the north at ITITO's and make a day of it!
That said, it really shines during happy hour and beyond — which just so happens to be my preferred time to go. They have daily happy hour from 5–6pm and again from 10–11pm, both with live music. In between happy hours, there’s always something going on: karaoke, DJs, and live bands every single night of the week. It’s an amazing place to meet people, hang with friends, sip drinks, and watch the sunset. During busy season, go early if you want a good seat — it fills up fast for a reason.
Another Palm Beach classic is MooMba Beach Bar & Restaurant, located just north of the Holiday Inn and south of the Marriott Surf Club. If you’re staying nearby, you can easily walk there using the beach path (it drops off near the Holiday Inn for a bit, but you’ll find it 😉). If you’re driving, there’s free parking in the lot behind MooMba — just take the road that runs in front of the Radisson Blu.
MooMba is especially fun on Sunday nights when they have a live band, and it’s also a go-to spot for big events like the Super Bowl, Fourth of July, and Halloween. Weekends often turn into full-on beach parties with DJs, and it’s always a good time.
You can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas here and make a full day of it, which is perfect if you want to settle in and hang out. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can eat right at the bar or opt for their separate restaurant if you’re looking for something a little more refined. And if you’re a breakfast person, they also offer a $16 breakfast buffet — which honestly smells amazing every time I walk by in the morning.
If you love a good happy hour (and who doesn’t?), Amare Beach Bar at the Playa Linda Beach Resort, formally known as The Beach Bar, is a must. They have the longest happy hour on the island — from 12–6pm. Their frozen drinks are 2-for-1, and you get both drinks at the same time, so be sure to bring your insulated cups and reusable straws. Paper straws are great for the environment, but they get soggy fast — especially with frozen drinks. The food here is also really solid, and I’m a huge fan of their fried chicken sandwiches.
This beach bar was under construction toward the end of 2025 and has since reopened, so it’s newly refreshed and looks a bit different than older videos — in a good way. It’s a great daytime spot that easily turns into an afternoon or early-evening hang to watch the sunset or grab a drink before dinner.
The Beach Bar at Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive is another favorite and a great option if you’re staying further south. Even though it’s located at an all-inclusive resort, this particular restaurant is open to the public. Just note that it’s not included in the all-inclusive plan — even if you’re staying at the Tamarijn — so you’ll pay separately. It’s located on the Tamarijn side, right on the beach, roughly in the middle of the two Divi resorts. You can park across the street in the dirt area or further down the road in the designated parking lot. Happy hour here runs daily from 2–3pm, with good drink specials, a solid food menu, and absolutely gorgeous ocean views. It’s a more relaxed vibe but still a great place to grab drinks and watch the water.
If you’re looking for a great beach bar close to the airport (or want to squeeze in one last Aruba drink before heading home), Surfside Beach is where you want to be. Two spots here are Surfside Beach Bar and Reflexions Beach Bar — both are fantastic for a laid-back beach day with a fun vibe.
Surfside Beach Bar is a classic. It’s right on the water, parking is super easy on site, and it’s a great place to chill with a drink while watching the planes land overhead. They always have good music playing, solid drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for easing into island time. The food here is good, and I especially love their pizzas, which are perfect for a casual beach day. You can also rent lounge chairs and umbrellas for shade right on the beach for a very reasonable price, making it an easy, comfortable place to settle in and hang out for the day.
It’s also a perfect stop before or after the airport since it’s so close. One thing I appreciate is that you can easily keep an eye on your car while you’re there. Aruba is very safe, but it’s always smart to be mindful of your belongings — this spot makes it easy to relax without worrying.
Reflexions takes things up a notch — especially on the weekends. Not only is it beachfront with easy parking, but Reflexions also has a pool, which is a huge bonus. You can rent chairs and shade here as well, and the vibe is always fun. They have a solid food menu and the staff is fun, friendly, and welcoming, which really adds to the overall experience.
While Surfside keeps things chill, Reflexions really turns it up, especially on Sundays. Sundays are a big local day here, so if you want to hang out, meet cool locals, and experience a more authentic Aruba party vibe, this is the place. Expect live DJs, great music, and rotating drink specials — it’s always a great time.
If you find yourself down south at Baby Beach, you have to stop at Rum Reef. This place is an absolute blast and one of the most fun spots in the area. There’s easy parking right on site, which makes it a no-brainer stop when you’re already at the beach.
Rum Reef overlooks the stunning turquoise water of Baby Beach from an adults-only infinity pool, and yes — it’s as good as it sounds. To hang out in the pool, you do need to be spending money (ordering drinks, food, etc.), but honestly, it’s worth it. The vibe is fun, social, and energetic without feeling over the top. They often have live music and super fun bands, so definitely check their socials to see what’s happening on the day you plan to go.
It’s a great place to stop for a drink or two after a morning at Baby Beach, cool off in the pool, and enjoy the views. They also serve food — I haven’t personally eaten there yet, but everything I’ve seen come out looks really good. Whether you’re making a full afternoon of it or just popping in, Rum Reef is a fantastic Baby Beach add-on.
🌐 Rum Reef
Whether you’re staying in Palm Beach, Oranjestad, San Nicolas, or somewhere in between, Aruba’s beach bars are one of the best ways to soak up the island’s energy. Grab a drink, watch the sunset, listen to live music, and let island time do its thing.
What are your favorite beach bars in Aruba? Let me know in the comments below!
Looking for more Nightlife options, click HERE!
Looking for Happy Hour specials? Click HERE!
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