| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Vibe | Historic pubs, live acoustic music, open-air street parties |
| Primary Hubs | Hamilton City, Royal Naval Dockyard |
| Legal Drinking Age | 18 years old |
| Average Drink Cost | $16 - $22 USD per cocktail |
| Getting Around | Taxis, late-night Sea Express ferries, or safe designated drivers |
About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya
Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Steve Morris (April 2019)
I'm arriving on a Carnival Cruise in September. It's my first time back to Bermuda since the '80s. I understand that one of my favorite spots, the Clay House Inn burned down a while back. Is there a similar venue near Kings Wharf?
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) April 2019
Hi, during your visits in the 80s, Clayhouse Inn (at Devonshire) was a buzzing music club and bar that attracted many talented musicians and bands. After it was burned down in 2002, it did reopen later for a while, but could not live up to its reputation... in fact it became a notorious place and closed for good thereafter.
The closest to that was Hubbie's Jazz Bar which too closed and so did Chewstick Neo Griot Lounge. Nothing quite similar exists today in the island other than several bars that offer live bands and few nightclubs mostly in Hamilton. You can take the direct ferry from Kings Wharf to Hamilton.
Frog and Onion Pub at the dockyard (Kings Wharf) too offers live music when cruise ships are in port. You can also try The Aqua nightclub at the Snorkel Park in Dockyard... mostly dance and loud live music on the beach.
Laura Milsom (June 2016)
Hi Raj - we're cruising into Bermuda in September, and wonder which bars offer happy hour, as beer prices on the island are a bit steep. We really only drink beer, and haven't seen a posting specifically addressing this. Cheers, appreciate your feedback!
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2016
Hi, several options for great prices on beer in happy hour - Harbourfront (5-6:30pm, mon-fri, located below BUEI in Hamilton), Bistro at the Beach, Docksider (both on Front street, Hamilton).
Brenda A Logan (March 2016)
Hi, Raj. My daughter, my 14 yr old granddaughter, and I are coming to Bermuda this summer. Only docking for one night but would like to check out night life. Is the 14 yr old allowed to attend the pubs with us?
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) March 2016
Hi, legal age of drinking in Bermuda is 18. Pubs won't allow anybody below that age. But restaurants that also serve alcoholic beverages would have no such entry restrictions
Lynn (June 2015)
Hi, my husband and I are looking at coming to Bermuda next year, we are thinking of staying at the Newstead Belmont as it is quite reasonably priced and seems quite close to Hamilton. We are in our late 50s early 60s but do like a bit of a dance in an evening (not ballroom!) are we likely to find anything in Hamilton or should we be looking more at a hotel with evening entertainment? Kind regards.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2015
Hi, there are several nightclubs (basically bars/pubs with dance floors) in Hamilton. It's mostly dance to DJ's music, live performances take place in one or two places on few days of the week. You can look into Spinning Wheels Nightclub (old one and mostly visited by locals), Cafe Cairo etc.
Martin O'Sullivan (May 2014)
We will arrive on June 13, 2014 at Kings Wharf at 6:30 pm. Our party is Grandparents, two granddaughters and daughter. Would like a nice evening off the ship with some local color (a pub if 16 and 18 year olds are accepted) and dinner. Any suggestions for venues and means of transportation. And thank you for one of the most interesting websites in my experience.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) May 2014
Here are some options:
1) Frog and Onion Pub: It's a well known popular pub in the island, has a draught beer brewery of its own and located within the dockyard itself. From the cruise pier you can easily walk down to the pub.
2) Swizzle Inn however is the most famous and the oldest pub of Bermuda. The original pub is in Hamilton Parish. You can take a ferry from the dockyard to Hamilton City (20 minutes) and then a bus (#1, 3) to the pub (about 30 minutes), and same way back. Watch the timings of the ferries. On Saturdays and Sundays, you won't find a ferry to return after 6pm and the only option would be bus (#7, 8) which will take about 1 hour from Hamilton City.
3) Henry's VIII Pub and Restaurant - this is a locals' favorite and you can expect to see many locals here. It's in Southampton (about 30 minutes by bus #7).
Norman Cotterill (January 2014)
Hello, I arrived in Bermuda in 1983 and the Longtail bar was going strong. Many a great night up stairs. Opposite the Flag Pole and Burnaby Hill....live music great fun.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) January 2014
For readers ... Longtail Bar does not exist any longer. Also see the comment from Barrie Noyes below, who too enjoyed the bar.
John Weber (September 2013)
I'm coming to Bermuda next week from Wednesday to Monday for a combination business and pleasure trip. Like the beach but im not a sun worshipper, more social in the pubs. How much should I expect to spend and where do you suggest I stay. Thanks John
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) September 2013
Hi John, If you are not a beach lover, stay in Hamilton. That's where the nightlife is. Try out the Hog Penny Pub, the oldest in Hamilton and very popular. The bar at Pickled Onion is also good. Great views of the Harbor from the balcony. Price wise both are mid-range.
Average cost of cocktails would be $10, beer $8 and wine by glass $8. Try out Swizzle Inn one evening. Another mid range pub, the oldest in the island, inventor of Rum Swizzle and probably the most famous. It's in Hamilton Parish and not too far away. Cheers!
Barrie Noyes (June 2013)
Hello I visited Bermuda on several occasions as a British Navy Officer between 1959 and 1960 and am trying to trace what happened to a Bar which we used to frequent called the Longtail Bar on Front Street in Hamilton. I believe the owner was a woman called Gigi Zouro ( I may have spelt that incorrectly).
My fellow officers and I spent many good times in the Long Tail Bar and on your beautiful Island. Have you any knowledge about what happened to the Bar as I cannot now find any recollection of it on the Web Site. Thanking you for your very kind attention in this enquiry Best Regards. Barrie Noyes. R.N. Retired
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) June 2013
Hello, there is no trace of the Longtail Bar now. Time has taken its toll and memories are short. All I could gather is, it was known as Longtail Club, located on Front Street above Penthouse Restaurant and Bar. Open roof covered balcony overlooking Front Street and the harbor was a great casual friendly place to enjoy drinks. Both Longtail Bar and Penthouse Restaurant are non-existent today, and there is very few information about them.
David McDonald (Boston) September 2012
Great website chock full of very useful information. My wife and I will be cruising from Boston to Bermuda next Friday and will be at Kings Wharf from the 25th to the 27th. If you would, please name 3 pubs, not jammed with tourists (like us), where locals stop in for a pint or two.
On all of our vacations we try to search out pubs where we can meet some local folk. Also, would it be too much of an undertaking to go from the ship to the Black Horse Tavern in St. David's for dinner? Thanks so much for your assistance!
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) September 2012
Hi David, on your first question, Swizzle Inn is the oldest and the most popular pub in Bermuda. But for obvious reasons, that is likely to be jammed with tourists like yourselves. My favorites are Henry VIII (where you will mostly find locals), North Rock Brewery (a typical British style pub offering hand crafted fresh beer) and Hog Penny (Hamilton's oldest pub of traditional British style but likely to be a bit crowded due to its location). You will find details of all these above under the section "Top Bermuda Bars and Pubs".
On your second question, Bermuda is really small and no distance is a big distance. Take the direct ferry from Kings Wharf to St. George (the Orange Route). It takes about 35 minutes and then take bus #6 to Black Horse Tavern. Easy! But note the Orange Route ferry timings (only few services). If that doesn't work, then take blue route ferry to Hamilton (20 minutes), then a bus (#10, 11) to St George and then change to #6 for St Davids where Black Horse Tavern is located. Have a great time in Bermuda!!
Tina DaBella (New York) August 2012
Hi, You have an excellent and informative site. I have a group cruise (about 8 cabins) going to Bermuda 9/23-30/2012. Do you know if the Harbor nights will still be going on this last week of Sept? Also, I am trying to put together a "pub crawl" for them do to.
I was thinking maybe trying 3 or 4 pubs in Hamilton then heading to the Dockyard for 3 or 4 pubs (their ship will be docked at the dockyard so wanted to end them there. Do you have recommendations for pubs in those areas that I might map out an itinerary for them? I'm looking to keep it easy...walking in each area with either ferry, bus or taxi from Hamilton to Dockyard. I would love any recommendations you could give. Thank you for your time.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2012
Hi Tina, Harbor nights in 2012 is scheduled from April 25 for 20 consecutive weeks. So going with this plan, the last harbor night for the year should take place in the last week of September.
There are plenty of good pubs and bars in Hamilton, and they are all mostly within walking distance. Here are some that I like: Hog Penny, Docksiders, Robinhood (10 mins walk from Front Street), Flanagans, Pickled Onion, etc. In Dockyard area try Frog n' Onion, Bonefish bar and grill. Some of the best pubs of Bermuda are in other parishes (not in Hamilton or Dockyard area), like Swizzle Inn, North Rock Brewery, Henry VIII etc. See if you can accommodate one of them in your 'Pub Crawl'.
One question though... having consumed drink in so many pubs in your 'pub crawl' plan, do you think your guests would be in a position to walk up and board the cruise ship finally, or crawl up? :-D. Would appreciate if you let me know how it goes. I would like to create a separate section on my website based on your experience. Thanks,
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