Djesh Slijterij: A Meerzorg Bottle Stop for the Commewijne Crossing
A neighborhood slijterij on the Commewijne side of the river, stocked for the boat trip, the bungalow, or the barbecue.
Why Go
Cross the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge from Paramaribo, take the turn toward the plantations, and you'll find the little bottle shops that keep Commewijne's weekenders in cold Parbo and Borgoe. Djesh Slijterij is one of those workaday stops — the kind of place locals swing by on the way to a river resort or a family lime, not a curated tasting room but a genuinely useful piece of the Meerzorg landscape.
The Experience
Slijterijen in Suriname sit somewhere between a Dutch off-licence and a Caribbean rum shop: shelves of Surinamese rum, imported whisky, Heineken and Parbo in cases stacked to the ceiling, plus mixers, soft drinks and the occasional bag of chips. Djesh Slijterij fits that mold in Meerzorg, the busiest town in Commewijne District and the natural jumping-off point for anyone heading to the old sugar and coffee plantations along the river. Expect a fast in-and-out transaction, prices in SRD, and the kind of quick, friendly exchange in Dutch or Sranan Tongo that tells you this place runs on regulars.
What to Try
Pick up a bottle of Borgoe (the Surinamese rum benchmark — the 8-year or Extra are the sweet spots) or Black Cat if you want something rougher and more local. Grab a crate of Parbo Bier for anything involving a boat, a pool or an afternoon on a veranda, and don't skip the Fernandes soft drinks — the red "Ice Cream Soda" is a Surinamese lunchbox classic that mixes surprisingly well with rum.
Insider Tip
Stock up before you cross into the more remote parts of Commewijne. Once you're deep into the plantation loop or out at a river lodge, options thin out fast and prices climb; a slijterij run in Meerzorg is the last easy top-up before the road gets quiet. Bring cash in SRD — card machines at neighborhood slijterijen are hit-or-miss, and small notes make life easier at the counter.
The Practical Stuff
Location: RR6W+GJ2, Meerzorg, in Commewijne District just across the Suriname River from Paramaribo via the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge. It's a functional bottle shop rather than a bar — no seating, no menu, just takeaway. Hours aren't publicly listed; slijterijen here generally open late morning and run into the evening, with shorter Sunday hours. Call ahead if you're making a special trip. Bring cash, and drive: there's no meaningful public transit for a booze run.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — If you're basing yourself in Meerzorg, swing by Djesh on the way in to stock the fridge — much cheaper than hotel drinks and handy for a sunset on the balcony.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Cold Parbo and a rum chaser after a muddy afternoon on the trails is a Commewijne tradition; grab supplies here before or after your ride.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — A river-tubing session pairs naturally with a cooler of beer for the after-party — stop at Djesh on the way to the launch.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — You'll want wheels to get around Commewijne's plantation loop anyway; a slijterij run is the logical first errand once you've picked up the car.