Entertainment in Belize
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A
I&I Reggae Bar
I&I is the island’s most hip-hop happening spot after dark, when its healthy sound system belts out a reggae beat. Its three levels each offer a different scene, with a dance floor on one and swings hanging from the rafters on another. The top floor is the ‘chill-out zone, ’ complete with hammocks and panoramic views. Great place for a sunset drink.
reviewed
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B
Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts
The revamped Bliss Centre has a fine 600-seat theater that stages a variety of events, including concerts of traditional Belizean music and other shows that celebrate Belize and its culture. The annual Belizean Film Festival is held here, and the Children’s Art Festival in May. The Bliss Centre is also a likely spot in the city for any major cultural happenings (such as this year’s memorial concert for Belizean musician Andy Palacio, which brought the city to a standstill for hours). As they don’t yet have a website to promote upcoming events, your best bet is to call or drop by during business hours to learn what’s going on during your visit.
reviewed
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C
Bird’s Isle Restaurant
Located at the end of Bird’s Isle, a park-like oasis on the southern coast of town, this open-air restaurant is one of the prettiest settings for an outdoor bar you’re likely to find in Belize City. In addition to beer, wine and cocktails, the restaurant serves well-prepared burgers, snacks and Belizean fare. Thursdays from 8:30pm to 1am is karaoke night; the bar also has live music occasionally.
reviewed
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D
Princess Hotel & Casino
The casino at the Princess Hotel is an informal and fun place to try to boost your budget (set yourself a limit on what you’re prepared to lose), with roulette, poker and blackjack tables, plus hundreds of slot machines and a floor show with dancing girls kicking up their heels at 10pm. You need to show ID such as your passport or driver’s license to enter (minimum age is 18).
reviewed
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E
Roxy Club
To quote a pair of Dangriga-based Peace Corps volunteers: ‘The Roxy is a good place. Stumpy and Penny are very friendly, and Penny makes great panatas (small fish-filled fried tortillas), three for a dollar.’ It’s at the north end of the city, about three blocks north of the police station in Harlem Sq.
reviewed
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F
Pickled Parrot
This thatched-roof Caribbean-style bar and restaurant a block from the ocean has been a popular spot for locals and tourists alike for 15 years. Happy hour – with half-priced rum drinks – runs from 5pm to 6pm, and Tuesday night is darts night, with bar-tab credit being awarded to high scorers.
reviewed
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G
Riverside Patio
Had enough of bird-watching and traipsing about ancient ruins? This is the place to sink a beer after a hard day's sight-seeing. By the river, next to the Commercial Center, the deck gets just enough breeze to make it comfortable any time of the day - but it's particularly nice as the sun goes down.
reviewed
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Bukut Bar
It’s hard to say exactly when the transformation takes place – certainly well after sundown – but when PG is dark, its hippest new eatery, Earth Runnins’, becomes its coolest new bar, where homemade cocktails are served and local music (sometimes live) heard.
reviewed
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H
Titiman’s Culture House
Poots ‘Titiman’ Flores is a local Dangriga legend. His laid-back club – located on an unmarked country road two blocks southwest of the Drums of Our Fathers Monument – is a great place to chill out and get down with serious Garifuna culture.
reviewed
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Club Rivera
Formerly called Club Griga, Club Rivera usually has live bands on Friday and Saturday night, featuring punta rock and other types of music. It gets a bit of a crowd for midweek karaoke sessions, but things really start jumping at the Friday and Saturday dances.
reviewed
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I
Mj’s Grand
You may get to enjoy some funky Belizean rhythms here, but karaoke starts up at 10pm most nights. MJ’s is popular with locals both for its indoor pool tables and outdoor terrace tables overlooking Newtown Barracks Green; the atmosphere is relaxed.
reviewed
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J
Salty Dog Saloon
This very chilled bar, connected to the Spirit Wind cabanas, has the most Jimmy Buffet vibe in Dangriga, though it is a bit out of town. To find it, call or follow the signs for the Salty Dog Saloon beginning on Ecumenical Dr around North Stann Creek.
reviewed
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K
Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar
Occasional live bands spice up the program at Placencia’s shiniest bar, with pool tables, big-screen TV and a concrete apron spreading onto the sands. A fun-loving crowd gathers most nights. Happy hour is 7pm to 8pm.
reviewed
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Vogue Bar & Lounge
This 40-seat lounge at the Princess gets lively later in the week, especially on Friday night when a mixed young crowd launches a new weekend. A DJ helps things get moving from 9pm Thursday to Saturday.
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Caesar’s Palace
The music and crowd here have a strong Latino element. People start turning up at about 10:30pm, and the action on and around the small dance floor can get pretty lively on Friday and Saturday.
reviewed
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N
PG Sports Bar
A good-sized, fairly standard bar, incongruously enhanced by a staggering collection of US sports photos and posters. There’s usually a DJ or live music on Friday and Saturday.
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Stork Club
This hotel is a bit of a social hub, attracting tourists and expats but not too many locals. There is often live music on Saturday; otherwise, DJs play on Friday and Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Movie Theater
The two-screen movie theater in the Princess Hotel & Casino complex shows first-run Hollywood films, though usually a bit later than their US release dates.
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Belize Biltmore Plaza
The Friday happy hour (5pm to 8pm) at the Biltmore’s poolside bar is a fun session, with a great steel band. There’s often live music or cabaret other nights too.
reviewed
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Pitpan Tavern
This tiny little bar is a great local hangout, just behind Market Sq. Excellent atmosphere, by day or night. Come for cold drinks, hot music and plenty of local flavor.
reviewed
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Bowling Alley
The Princess Hotel & Casino complex is also where you will find Belize’s only eight-lane (or any-lane, for that matter) bowling alley.
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Cocopelle Bar
A friendly place for drinks, pool, foosball and loud music. The deck out back is a great place for a drink on a warm night.
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J-Byrds
This dockside bar can get pretty lively with locals and visitors, especially at the Friday dance party (9pm to 2am).
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Radisson Poolside Bar
The Friday happy hour (5pm to 9pm) is very popular; often there is live music and sometimes there’s a DJ.
reviewed
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Recreation Center
This piece of earth with a thatched roof, no walls and a mainly local clientele can be a lot of fun.
reviewed
