In Aruba there is a midweek tradition called Kibra Siman. The literal translation is “break the week,” with kibra meaning break and siman meaning week. A more accurate way to say it is split the week. It is the local custom of making Wednesday feel lighter by going out for a drink or doing something fun after work, often rolling from sunset into the night.
Most people start later in the day once work is done. As afternoon turns toward evening, the island warms up with specials across popular spots. La Cabana Pata Pata Pool Bar runs three rounds between two and six thirty. Beach Bar adds sessions from two to three and five to six. Oceanside Bar and Grill pours from three to five. Pelican Pier, Reflexions Beach Bar and Restaurant, and The Barn all celebrate from four to six, and Hoya joins that same four to six window.
Evening is the heart of Kibra Siman. Double Down Sports Bar and Grill goes from five to seven. Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill serves from five to six. Fat Tuesday keeps the fun going from five to nine. Bohemian Bar and Restaurant and Kalibra both offer deals from five to seven, and Nos Clubhuis returns for another round from five to six. Bugaloe Beach Bar sets the tone from five to six and again late at night from ten to eleven. If you want to mix things up, the Kukoo Kunuku Happy Hour Bus Tour runs Tuesday through Saturday from five to eight and stops at some of the liveliest bars.
As the sun sets, more options take over. Moomba Beach Bar serves from six to seven and again from ten to eleven with extra fun on Sundays. Sharqy’s Bahia offers from six to eight. Gusto Nightclub stretches happy hour from six to ten. Saloon Bar fills the evening from seven to nine, while Mambo Jambo serves from seven to eight and comes back from eleven to midnight.
Night owls still have plenty to enjoy. Surfside Beach Bar and Drunken Fish both run from nine to ten. Hidden Nightclub goes from nine to eleven. Kalibra returns from eleven to midnight.
If you want a head start before the after work crowd arrives, a few places do offer earlier specials. Nos Clubhuis has a midday round from twelve to one. The Beach Bar stretches happy hour from noon to six. Surfside Beach Bar serves from twelve to one, and Rum Reef runs from one to four.
Whether you sip a cocktail by the ocean, catch live music at a beach bar, or dance late into the night, Kibra Siman shows how Aruba splits the week in style and lives up to its name as One Happy Island.
