Bar Excellente: Paramaribo's Late-Night Escape
A laid-back Fajalobistraat hangout where the drinks flow until dawn and the crowd never rushes home.
Why Go
When the rest of Paramaribo has locked its doors, Bar Excellente is just hitting its stride ΓÇö a neon-lit pocket on Fajalobi Street where locals swap the day's news over cold Parbo, cheap eats and the occasional live set.
The Experience
Step inside and the mood is unmistakably Surinamese: unpretentious, warm, a little cheeky. Regulars greet the bartenders by name, the sound system leans on kaseko, reggae and the odd salsa hit, and the lighting is dim enough to feel like a secret and bright enough to see who just walked in. It's the kind of place where a quick drink after work quietly turns into a 2 a.m. debate about football, politics and where to eat roti next. Weekends stretch until 5 a.m., so pacing matters ΓÇö the crowd builds slowly, peaks around midnight, and rarely thins before sunrise. Solo travellers get folded into conversations quickly; couples come to unwind rather than to be seen. There's no dress code and no attitude at the door, which is exactly why it endures.
What to Try
Order a Parbo Djogo (the shareable 1-litre bottle of Suriname's flagship lager) to do as the locals do, or upgrade to a Borgoe rum on the rocks ΓÇö it's the country's cane spirit and the bar pours it generously. The kitchen keeps things simple and satisfying: bami, nasi, bara or a plate of bitterballen to line the stomach before the night gets serious. Ask what the bartender is mixing that evening; house cocktails often lean on local fruit and rum in equal measure.
Insider Tip
Come on a Wednesday or Thursday for the real Bar Excellente ΓÇö the music is looser, the regulars are chattier, and you'll actually get a bar stool. Fridays and Saturdays are fun but packed and cash-heavy: bring small SRD notes, because splitting a big bill after 1 a.m. is nobody's idea of a good time. If a live act is playing, arrive by 10 p.m. to claim a corner spot near the speakers without being on top of them.
The Practical Stuff
Fajalobistraat 140, Paramaribo. Open late ΓÇö roughly late morning through the small hours MonΓÇôThu, and pushing to 5 a.m. FriΓÇôSat; Sundays run afternoon to midnight. Phone: +597 891-1118. Prices are firmly local (think a few SRD for a beer, modest bar-food plates). Cash rules, though some tabs can be settled by transfer ΓÇö ask first. Taxi back to your hotel is the safe call after midnight; the neighbourhood is fine but quiet streets are always easier by car.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A convenient Paramaribo stay within easy taxi distance ΓÇö ideal if you'd rather stumble home than plan a long ride after last call.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Burn off the night before with a high-adrenaline day on the water, then reward yourself with a cold Parbo at Bar Excellente once the sun sets.
- A Sang junior De Tweewieler Guide — Rent wheels here to explore Paramaribo by day; park them safely and swap the saddle for a bar stool by night.