Latour Slijterij
A neighborhood bottle shop for grabbing Surinamese rum, Parbo beer, and everything in between.
Why Go
Slijterij is Dutch for liquor store, and this small Latourweg spot is where locals in western Paramaribo swing by for a bottle of Borgoe on the way home. It isn't a bar or a tasting room ΓÇö it's a proper drankenwinkel where you can quietly explore what Surinamese and Caribbean shelves actually look like.
The Experience
Latour Slijterij sits on Latourweg in the residential Latour neighborhood, a short drive west of central Paramaribo. Walking in, you'll find the classic Surinamese bottle-shop layout: shelves of local rum, imported spirits, wine at competitive prices, and coolers full of Parbo beer, Djogo bottles, and soft drinks. Staff speak Dutch and Sranan Tongo ΓÇö English is hit-or-miss, so a smile and pointing works fine. Transactions are quick; most people are stopping in for one specific thing rather than browsing, but nobody minds if you take a minute to read labels. It's a low-key errand-style stop, not a destination in itself, which is exactly what makes it a nice window into everyday Surinamese life outside the tourist center.
What to Try
Grab a bottle of Borgoe 8 or Borgoe Extra ΓÇö the flagship Surinamese rum from SAB that most locals drink neat or over ice. Black Cat is the punchier, higher-proof local option if you want something with more edge. Pick up a cold Parbo bier (or the party-sized Djogo bottle) to see why it's the unofficial national beverage, and if you spot Palm brand palm wine or Marienburg rum, those are worth a curious sip too. For mixers, Fernandes soft drinks are a Surinamese icon ΓÇö the green apple flavor is the cult favorite.
Insider Tip
Bring cash in SRD (Surinamese dollars). Many neighborhood slijterijen either don't take cards or the card reader is mysteriously 'broken today' ΓÇö a stack of small bills avoids the awkward standoff. Also: prices on Surinamese rum here are a fraction of what you'll pay at the airport duty-free, so if you're planning to take a bottle home, buy it in town, not on the way out.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Latourweg, Paramaribo (Plus Code QRR7+F42), in the Latour neighborhood west of the city center. Best reached by taxi or rental car ΓÇö it's a residential street, not walkable from downtown. Hours aren't publicly posted; most Paramaribo slijterijen run roughly late morning through evening and close earlier on Sundays, so call ahead: +597 744 3355. Cash (SRD) strongly preferred, and bring ID if you look under 25 ΓÇö the legal drinking age is 18.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — If you're staying at this nearby guesthouse, Latour Slijterij is the closest place to stock the mini-fridge with Parbo and a bottle of Borgoe for a sunset drink on the balcony.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Grab cold Parbos here on the way to or from a river-tubing day ΓÇö the shop sits roughly on the axis between town and many of Suriname's water-based day trips.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — Heading out on a 4x4 interior tour? Latour is a convenient last stop to pick up drinks for the journey before you leave paved roads behind.