When we used to go to the SSBB, or the Sunset Bar & Grill, after 9:00 PM, it used to really rock. We always spend two weeks on the island at the end of November and the beginning of December. For the last three years, every time we go to the SSB&G after 9:00 PM, it is dead. Has anything changed recently and has the SSB&G gotten busy at night or is it still dead?

Nothing has changed. We stay at Royal Islander La Plage and noticed the same thing.

They were closed at 6:20p last night.

They just seem interested in the cruise ship tour groups now.

This month The Refuge is opening next door as an extension....I believe you will find your nightlife there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

What is the Refuge, never heard of it? If it is associated with the SSB&G, do topless woman get to drink for free?

The Refuge is the pool there. I don't know if it is supposed to be open at night or not..

I seriously doubt that. I believe they are going for a more upscale experience. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

THE REFUGE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
St Maarten's restaurant/lounge directly adjoins the iconic SUNSET BEACH BAR.

LUNCH
Eat lunch on sunset beach and experience the excitement of watching the planes land and take off… or reserve a lounge chair and enjoy the serenity of THE REFUGE pool where our full lunch menu is served... ocean front dining is available as well as a fully air conditioned dining room for those looking to escape the sun and heat... daily specials along with a vast selection of made to order sandwiches, Caribbean inspired salads, and local fresh fish. Lunch is served daily from 11-5 pm.

DINNER
A little bit Latin, a little bit Italian and a whole lot of fun... THE REFUGE combines 2 of the world’s most popular cuisines with some local Caribbean favorites all in one exciting restaurant. A modern twist on international cuisine, THE REFUGE truly has something for everyone... fresh local fish, prime steaks, chicken, pasta and veal specialties all done the way grandma used to make it... and of course THE BEST PIZZA ON THE ISLAND straight out of our custom made 900 degree wood burning brick oven... dinner served daily 5-11 pm... late night menu served until closing.

NIGHT LIFE
After dinner THE REFUGE transforms into a breathtaking lounge that caters to the upscale crowd... expect that Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas vibe... a live DJ spins on our state-of-the-art sound system setting the perfect mood for cocktails or bottle service with friends… private lounge tables are always available and a late night menu is served into the wee hours of the night. Must be 21 or over after 10 pm... Fashionable island dress code required.

Wow, ok.. Doesn't sound like my 'thing', but there are many who will love it. Wonder what Neil thinks of this whole thing??

Sounds like a burger in the afternoon and then C YA

Anything to make the almighty buck on the cruise-ship crowd. Not my cup of tea. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/titanic.gif" alt="" />

There are plenty of non "cruise-ship crowd" people that go there but when ships are in, they do plenty of business with them also.

Today's Sunset will never be as great as yesterday's Sunset when Neil Rooney owned it. Then, it was the best place on the island to grab a drink, watch the planes, and have some fun and meet your friends. Now that was a real beach bar. Today, it's too crowded and too commercialized and has lost its charm. Just saying.

No disagreement from me.

The same could be said of the whole island.

Ditto

I like all the changes the island has taken.

I doubt we will ever visit The Refuge. Strangely we never made it to
Sunset at all this visit.

To me Refuge seems like Tantra. I went ONCE. Made me
realize I'm no longer in my 20's or 30's...lol! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

so it sounds like it could be where Bliss once was? Might be an ok place to go for a night of dancing? or not?? Real curious. Probably not too economical,,but for one night could be fun? Interested in responses.

Correct it is where Bliss was.
The atmosphere is nice but not the food that we had.

Yes, I think the pool is the pool from Bliss, although I was never there.

We went there yesterday to get a snack while waiting for friends to arrive. Specifically for their grouper fingers. Not on the new menu. We settled for nachos, which were gross - just canned chili with beans poured over some chips, with some sort of cheese type sauce. The whole place is amazing looking though - three different tiers, the pool is $5, I'm sure just a kid sitting area. The Refuge looks nice but we'll probably never go there. Things do change, but we were disappointed in their menu.

The pool at the Refuge is the very same one that Bliss had. Of course, it was free to use then and so were the great lounging areas - no charge. Not surprised to hear the Refuge owner charges customers to use the pool, though, since he's not making a profit on overnight hotel stays at the Alegria.

The changes I don't like are the great restaurants that have closed. Reasons unknown to me except in a few cases. Le Bec Fin moved out of P'Burg because of declining tourist traffic after cruise ships leave and the lack of parking. Then they moved to Simpson Bay only to discover people there preferred less upscale places. So off they went to another island.

I miss Poisson D'Or and Spartico too.

I never patronized any of those so it never affected me.

We stayed at the Caravanseria twice and neither time did we ever see anyone in the similar pool that is now at Refuge. In the hotels' brochure they listed 3 pools for guests and that was one of them. This was before they started building up and changed to Alegeria.

No, the pool at the Refuge (Sunset) is all new construction. Brand new pool, shops etc in that area. Nothing from Bliss is left.