Powisistraat's Late-Night Karaoke Bar
Where Paramaribo grabs the mic and lets loose
Why Go
Tucked into a quiet stretch of Powisistraat, this unassuming karaoke bar is where locals shed the day's humidity, order another Parbo, and belt out everything from kaseko classics to Bruno Mars until the neighbors politely give up trying to sleep.
The Experience
Walk in and you'll hit a wall of icy AC, sticky-sweet cocktail air, and a soundtrack that swings between Dutch schlagers, Bollywood ballads, and reggaeton on a five-minute loop. The room is intimate rather than flashy - vinyl booths, a small dance-floor-slash-stage, and screens angled so nobody has to twist their neck to read the lyrics. Regulars are a mix of after-work office crews, brownman friend-groups celebrating birthdays, and the occasional curious traveler who wandered off the Waterkant. Nobody here is auditioning; the point is that everyone sings, badly or brilliantly, and the whole room claps either way.
What to Try
Order a bottle of Parbo Djogo (the big brown one) to share the way locals do - it keeps refills cheap and the table communal. If you want something stronger, ask for a Borgoe Extra rum with cola and lime. Song-wise, aim for a crowd-pleaser in Dutch or Sranan Tongo (anything by Damaru or Kenny B will get the room roaring) rather than an obscure English deep cut. Snacks tend toward bar bites - bara, saoto broth, or a shared plate of bakabana with peanut sauce to soak up the rum.
Insider Tip
Slip the song-book operator a small tip when you hand in your slip and your track will jump the queue - a widely understood Paramaribo courtesy that shaves 30 minutes off the wait on busy Fridays. Also: the AC blasts, so bring a light layer even though it's 30C outside.
The Practical Stuff
Cash (SRD) is king, though some places on Powisistraat now take card - ask before you order a big round. There's no official dress code but locals dress up a notch on weekends. Taxis are the safest way home after midnight; ask the bar to call one rather than flagging on the street. Peak hours are 22:00 to 02:00 Thursday through Saturday; earlier in the week it's quieter and easier to hog the mic.
Pair It With
- Waterkant riverfront bars — Warm up with sunset drinks along the Suriname River before heading inland to Powisistraat for the singing portion of the evening.
- Blauwgrond Javanese warungs — Line your stomach with saoto soup or bakmi in the Javanese quarter first - karaoke stamina is 80% carbs.
- Havana Lounge or Club Touche — When the karaoke wraps around 02:00, roll on to a proper dance club for the last stretch of the night.
- Torarica Casino — A short taxi away if the group splits between singers and gamblers - easy to regroup after.