V. Ramcharan's Slijterij: Paramaribo's Neighborhood Liquor Stop
A no-frills Surinamese slijterij where locals grab cold Parbo, rum, and roadside snacks for whatever comes next.
Why Go
Tucked on Sohawanweg on the quieter edge of Paramaribo, V. Ramcharan's Slijterij is exactly the kind of place travel guides skip and Surinamese families run to twice a week. It's a slijterij in the classic Dutch-Caribbean sense: part liquor shop, part corner store, part impromptu party-supply depot. You come in for one bottle of Borgoe rum and leave with peanuts, a stack of paper cups, and a cold Parbo already sweating in your hand.
The Experience
Don't expect a curated bottle shop with tasting notes on chalkboards. Ramcharan's is functional, fluorescent-lit, and refreshingly honest. Shelves are lined floor-to-ceiling with Surinamese rums (Borgoe, Black Cat, Mariënburg), Dutch jenever, imported whiskies, wine at wildly varying price points, and cases of ice-cold Parbo Bier stacked near the counter. A cooler hums in the corner with soft drinks, Fernandes in every color of the rainbow, and the local orange soda that every Surinamese kid grew up on. Staff are quick, transactional, and helpful if you ask — most conversation happens in Dutch or Sranan Tongo, but a smile and a point work perfectly well. The clientele is a rotating mix of neighborhood regulars, taxi drivers on a break, and hosts stocking up before a verjaardag (birthday party).
What to Try
Grab a bottle of Borgoe 8 or Mariënburg 90 — the latter is a legendary 90-proof cane rum that Surinamese abroad smuggle home in checked bags. Pair it with a six-pack of Parbo Bier in the iconic djogo (1-liter) bottle if you're heading somewhere with friends. For a proper local snack run, add a bag of pinda (peanuts), some krupuk, and a Fernandes Ginger Beer or Green Punch to mix with the rum. If it's hot (it's always hot), a cold Parbo djogo straight from the cooler is the correct answer.
Insider Tip
Bring small SRD bills or coins ΓÇö like most slijterijen in Paramaribo, transactions move faster in cash than card, and change for large notes can slow you down. Also: djogo bottles carry a statiegeld (deposit). Save the empties and bring them back next visit for a small refund; locals do it religiously and it marks you as someone who knows how things work here.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Sohawanweg 90, Paramaribo, Suriname. Typical slijterij hours in Paramaribo run roughly 8:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, with slightly shorter hours on Sundays and public holidays ΓÇö call ahead if you're cutting it close, and note that alcohol sales stop early on election days and certain religious holidays. Parking is informal, curbside. Cash (SRD) is king; some slijterijen accept card but it's not guaranteed. Bring your own bag if you're stocking up.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — If you're staying nearby, Ramcharan's is the natural pre-dinner stop to grab a bottle of Borgoe or a cold Parbo for the balcony before heading out.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Post-adventure cool-down: swing by on the way back from the river for a celebratory djogo and snacks to share with the crew.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Muddy, sunburnt, and thirsty after an ATV run? A cold Parbo from Ramcharan's is the traditional Surinamese reward.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — Renting a 4x4 for a jungle trip? Load the cooler here before you leave the city ΓÇö options thin out fast once you're on the road.