De Spits Bar & More
Paramaribo's late-night pulse where Surinamese cocktails meet reggae, electronic beats and dance-till-dawn energy.
Why Go
On a humid Paramaribo night, the door of a tucked-away Masonstraat corner spot swings open and a wave of bass, laughter and rum-soaked air spills onto the street ΓÇö that's De Spits, and it's where the city actually goes out.
The Experience
De Spits Bar & More is Paramaribo's after-hours melting pot: locals in weekend best, expats winding down and the occasional traveller who found it by word of mouth all pressed together under moody lighting and a sound system that leans hard into reggae, dancehall and electronic sets from rotating Surinamese DJs. It calls itself a bar, but by 11 pm it's a nightclub ΓÇö small enough that you'll end up in conversation with strangers over the bar rail, loud enough that those conversations quickly turn into dancing. The vibe is unpretentious and distinctly Surinamese: sports on the screens earlier in the evening, snacks passed around, then the lights dim and the room shifts gears. Themed nights (ladies' nights, live sets, holiday parties) keep the regulars coming back, and there's just enough neon and mirror to feel like a proper night out without any of the velvet-rope posturing you'd get in a bigger city.
What to Try
Order a Borgoe-and-cola or a Parbo-forward cocktail to start ΓÇö the bartenders know how to lean into local rum without drowning it. If the kitchen's still on, grab a plate of bar snacks (bitterballen, loempias, a bake-and-something) to line the stomach before the second round. Ask what the DJ is spinning tonight; if it's a reggae or Afrobeats set, stay for it ΓÇö that's when De Spits really hums.
Insider Tip
Show up around 10 pm on a Friday or Saturday to actually get a seat at the bar ΓÇö by midnight it's standing-room-only and the dance floor takes over. Pay in SRD cash for drinks (faster than waiting on a card terminal), tip the bartender on the first round and they'll remember you all night. Grab a taxi home rather than walking; the surrounding streets quiet down fast after last call.
The Practical Stuff
Address: RRVX+474, Masonstraat, Paramaribo, Suriname (central Paramaribo, walking distance from several hotels and the Hard Rock Cafe strip). Vibe shifts from casual bar early evening to full nightclub after 10ΓÇô11 pm, peaking Friday and Saturday. Cash (SRD) is king; some cards accepted but unreliable. Dress is smart-casual ΓÇö no shorts-and-flip-flops if you want to blend in on weekend nights. Expect a cover or drink minimum on themed-event nights.
Pair It With
- 'T Vat Sidewalk Cafe Guide — Start the night here with a cold Parbo and people-watching on the terrace ΓÇö it's a five-minute stroll and the classic Paramaribo pre-game before De Spits gets going.
- 168 Restaurant Guide — Line the stomach with a big Chinese-Surinamese meal before hitting the bar; portions are generous and it's open late enough to fuel a long night.
- 101 Suites Guide — If you're staying nearby, this is the easiest crash pad ΓÇö short taxi home when De Spits finally winds down in the small hours.