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Hamilton is the island's central nightlife hub, with a smattering of decent bars and clubs featuring live music and drink promotions. Outside the city there's a thriving nightlife scene within the hotels. In summer, weekly cruises and beach bashes add to the party scene.
Bermuda has a long tradition of producing superb jazz artists (among other genres) so be sure to check event listings when you arrive to see if you can catch some local musicians. As a general rule, both men and women tend to dress smart-casual for clubs. That said, only a few clubs in Hamilton have an actual dress code of no flip-flops or tank tops (and it's not always enforced). Pubs and clubs begin to fill up around 10 or 11.
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.
