ChillSpot Sport Cafe & Suribet Virtual Casino
Corantijnpolder's easy-going hangout for match nights, cold beers, and a spin on the Suribet virtual games.
Why Go
Tucked off the Skoerkiweg on the rice-country edge of Nickerie, ChillSpot is where locals drop in after work to catch whichever football or cricket match is on the big screens and try their luck at the Suribet virtual casino terminals. It's unpolished, unpretentious, and pure Corantijnpolder ΓÇö a slice of west-Suriname evening life you won't find in the Paramaribo guidebooks.
The Experience
Think plastic chairs on a covered patio, ceiling fans working overtime against the tropical humidity, and the low hum of Suribet's virtual roulette and slot machines from the side room. The vibe leans heavily local: Nickerie rice farmers, off-duty polder workers, and a friendly cross-section of Hindustani, Javanese, and Creole regulars who've been coming for years. English is spotty ΓÇö you'll get further with a smile, some Dutch, or a bit of Sarnami. Order a Parbo bottle at the bar, grab a bakkeljauw broodje or bara, and settle in. Match nights (Suriname vs. anyone, English Premier League, Champions League) are when the place actually wakes up; a random Tuesday can be near-empty. The Suribet virtual casino side runs computer-generated horse races, roulette, and dog races on screens ΓÇö it's fully legal, ticket-based, and a very Surinamese way to burn a few SRD.
What to Try
A cold Parbo Djogo (the oversized 1-litre bottle meant for sharing) is the standard order. Pair it with whatever bar snack is coming out of the kitchen ΓÇö usually bara, telo, or a saoto-style bowl if you're lucky. For the Suribet side, the low-stakes virtual roulette is the easiest entry point; ask the counter staff for a betting slip and they'll walk you through it. Small stakes only ΓÇö this is a hangout, not a high-roller room.
Insider Tip
Come on a Suriname national football match night or a big English Premier League Saturday ΓÇö that's when ChillSpot goes from quiet neighbourhood cafe to genuine local scene, with the whole patio cheering, groaning, and buying rounds. Bring small SRD notes for the Suribet counter (they don't love breaking large bills), and don't expect a menu ΓÇö just point at what other tables are eating. Cash only is safest.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Skoerkiweg 36, Corantijnpolder ΓÇö roughly a 10-minute drive south of Nieuw Nickerie town centre; you'll want a rental car or a pre-arranged taxi since it's not walkable from any hotel. Sector: nightlife / sports cafe with attached Suribet virtual gaming lounge. Hours aren't published but it generally follows Suriname sport-cafe rhythm ΓÇö opens late afternoon and runs until the last match ends, later on weekends. Bring cash (SRD); card payment is not reliable in this part of Nickerie. Dress is casual ΓÇö shorts and flip-flops are perfectly fine. Note: gambling in Suriname is regulated and 18+.
Pair It With
- Lounge Caf├⌐ Zeedijk — A more relaxed waterside cafe on the Corantijnpolder Zeedijk ΓÇö great for a sunset drink before heading to ChillSpot for the evening match.
- COPA Discotheek (Nieuw Nickerie) — If the game finishes early and you still have energy, COPA is Nickerie's go-to dance club, a short drive north into town.
- Corantijnstrand — The nearby Corantijn river beach is worth a daytime stop before an evening at ChillSpot ΓÇö a quiet, distinctly non-touristy stretch of west Suriname coast.
- Doerga Ocean View — Neighbouring Corantijnpolder spot with river views ΓÇö a good bite-and-scenery pairing before dropping into ChillSpot for the sports crowd.