Visit any Caribbean port popular with the major cruise lines, and you will notice a common phenomenon: these charming, bustling towns, during day time hours typically filled with cheerful visitors darting in and out of jewelry stores and souvenir shops, are suddenly shutting down - even before the sun sets. The visitors typically leave around 4 PM, called back by their cruise ships, which prepare to depart to the next port-of-call
Nassau on New Providence in The Bahamas, Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and our own Philipsburg turn into ghost towns once the cruise ship passengers have left. Not enough bars and restaurants can afford the exorbitant rents jewelers are able and willing to pay for retail space and therefore it is well known that cruise ports tend to lose a good part of their civic life. Once the cruise ship business dominates the economy, towns turn into Caribbean theme parks. This is not to criticize our local business community, after all, it is these retailers who turned Philipsburg into a success story for the cruise industry. And the island can't do without it.
Philipsburg has all the potential of preserving some of its soul as a nighttime entertainment destination, but there are a few obstacles to overcome. Notorious is the parking situation, where our local government hasn't been able and willing for many years to create solutions, even though investors with full pockets were knocking on their door and offering the construction of parking garages. On a positive note, safety is actually better than perceived by the public, with more frequent police patrols assuring that visitors can have a pleasant nighttime stroll on the Boardwalk.
The Ocean Terrace at the Holland House Hotel is the favorite dining destination to enjoy the more elegant aspects of food and wine. The Greenhouse next to Bobby's Marina Village and public parking offers a full menu, starting with American-style comfort food items to international and Caribbean dishes. Chesterfields on the way to Point Blanche has its own parking lot and is another favorite lunch and dining spot, consistently satisfying their guests throughout the past decades with quality meals in an attractive waterfront setting.
During evening hours and walking along the Boardwalk, there are several restaurants open. The Hard Rock Cafe is the area's only representation of a worldwide franchise and is right around the corner of Captain Hodge Wharf. Only a few more minutes of walking further west on the Boardwalk is Burger Madness, an eatery which has established itself as THE place to eat gourmet burgers. The Walter Plantz Wharf defines the Western end of the Boardwalk. And right on the corner and only a few steps through the sand, there is the I Love SXM Beach Bar, gaining a loyal following with their beachfront setting and an attractive food- and drink menu.
And there is nightlife in Philipsburg, with things to do after dinner. Four casinos wait for players. Among them is the Jump Up Casino at what is called the 'head of town', well known for their free entertainment with live shows and nightly bingo action. On weekends, the Axum Cafe on Front Street frequently has live jazz and other musical performances.
We feel that Philipsburg deserves that both island residents and stay-over visitors plan to spend an evening there occasionally, in order to give a chance to entrepreneurs who are brave enough to invest in the after-hours life in 'town'.
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