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Bars & nightlife · San Nicolas

Rum Reef Aruba: Infinity Pool Bar Above Baby Beach

Rum Reef, Baby Beach, San Nicolas, Aruba

TypeBarSan Nicolas

Price per personAWG 20 to 40About US$ 11 to 22

Opening hoursDaily from 10 AM

ReservationsBy phoneCall ahead for groups

About Rum Reef

Here is the move most people miss: Rum Reef is not just a bar, it is an infinity pool hanging over Baby Beach. Order at the bar, then take the water. On a good day you can look down and spot turtles cruising the shallows below. It is the whole reason to make the drive south to San Nicolas.

Rum Reef sits all the way down in San Nicolas, right off Baby Beach at Aruba's southern tip, and it is one of our personal favorites on the island. The draw is simple and a little bit magic. It is a cocktail bar and grill with an infinity pool that hangs right over Baby Beach, so you can swim, sip, and take in the view all in one spot. One afternoon we were in the pool and could look down and see turtles swimming in the shallows below. That is a normal day here.

It is also a place with real history. The building was once the theatre of Seroe Colorado, the entertainment spot for the workers and families of the old Lago refinery colony. Today it is home to JADS Dive Center, which has been bringing the building back to life, and that dive heritage is exactly why it works as a cocktail bar and grill. It started as the spot where divers came up for a meal and a chat about the day's adventures.

Talitha
Tip from TalithaMy Aruba Guide team
Make a day of it: snorkel at calm, shallow Baby Beach, then come up to the pool to dry off with a cocktail. Keep an eye on the water below, turtles do show up! Want to try diving? You can learn the basics in the pool first with JADS.

The essentials

The poolA minimum spend at the bar gets you access to the infinity pool. There is also a smaller, quieter pool tucked at the back on the ground floor if you want more privacy.
Good to knowIt runs on an adults-only, unwind-and-relax philosophy. Wheelchair accessible. Live music some days.
Also hereJADS Dive Center, so you can buy or rent dive gear, and beginners can even learn the basics in the pool before heading into the ocean.
Plan your visit

Opening hours & location

Opening hours

  • Monday10 AM to 6 PM
  • Tuesday10 AM to 6 PM
  • Wednesday10 AM to 6 PM
  • Thursday10 AM to 6 PM
  • Friday10 AM to 6 PM
  • Saturday10 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday10 AM to 6 PM

AddressRum Reef, Baby Beach, San Nicolas, Aruba

Before you go

Good to know

Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Vegetarian options
Kids welcome
Good for groups
Cocktails at the bar
Live music
Parking close by

Rum Reef reviews

Aggregated from Google4.3 Tripadvisor4.3
4.3 ★★★★★★★★★★ 1002 Google reviews
5★
64%
4★
19%
3★
8%
2★
3%
1★
6%
4.3 on Tripadvisor
S
Scott Vining★★★★★2 months ago
Google

We visited Rum Reef Cocktail Bar with a party of five after spending the day at the beach. Even though the restaurant was very busy, they had us seated within five minutes. Our server was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. We ordered burgers, fish, and tacos, and everything was prepared perfectly. The cocktails were made very well, and the overall experience was excellent. A great spot to relax after a day at the beach or to get out of the rain like we did.

L
Lisa A★★★★★6 months ago
Google

Beautiful views and ocean breezes with an awesome lunch. This place was exactly what we were looking for. For starters we tried the cheese ball appetizer and the Funchi and cheese polenta sticks, both were amazing. This place has frying down. All the French fries and the fried appetizers were perfectly cooked and had a delicious crisp to them that crackles lightly in your mouth on the first bite. The fish sandwich was also delicious. This was the first time I had ever seen a restaurant with a pool. I guess I dont get out much. 😂 We didn't use the pool but the views were great. We did see someone spill their drink in there which I imagine happens a lot. Our server was very pleasant, the food was delivered quickly with no errors to the order, and no scams, as another review had mentioned with their fish sandwich. It is safe to say, this place is a good bet for a meal on Baby Beach.

K
Komal Gulati★★★★★a month ago
Google

stumbled upon this place while driving through the island and stopping for a swim on baby beach. what an amazing spot! perfect beachside restaurant with its own infinity pool overlooking the ocean. we saw the sea turtles swimming around in the ocean from the pool. amazing piña coladas and vibes.

H
hong van tran★★★★★a week ago
Google

Beautiful location, but unfortunately, the customer service left a very bad impression. My husband and I stopped by because we were thirsty and wanted to enjoy a couple of drinks. We were initially seated at a table, but since we weren’t planning to order food, I politely informed our server and asked whether we could sit by the pool instead, so the table could be available for other guests. Our server kindly agreed, so we moved to the pool area while waiting for our drinks. Shortly afterward, the receptionist came over and questioned us about not ordering food. When I explained that we only wanted drinks, he told us, “You have to make sure you buy big drinks,” and insisted on big bottles or large drinks. I found this extremely uncomfortable and unwelcoming. Yes, I totally understand there should be a spending to enter the pool area. Yes, that’s why I had already checked with our server and received permission to sit there. Being approached afterward and pressured to spend more money was unnecessary and unprofessional. We were perfectly happy to pay for our drinks (Spent total $40usd for 1 beer, 1 virgin pina colada). I simply expected to be treated with respect. Such a shame, because the location is beautiful, but the hospitality was a real letdown.

M
Maria Arcuri★★★★★11 months ago
Google

After a beautiful day basking in the sun at Baby Beach in Saint Nicholas, we stopped by Rum Reef Cocktail Bar & Grill Aruba for a beer, strawberry daiquiri—the best I’ve ever had—& a perfectly cooked, wonderfully seasoned red snapper. The ladies behind the bar took such great care of us & were incredibly friendly. Truly an amazing experience all around! Thanks Juliana & others!

Who Rum Reef is perfect for

Couples and friends who want a relaxed, grown-up day of swimming and cocktails with a view. Divers and snorkelers using Baby Beach. Anyone happy to make the trip south for something that feels a bit different from the resort strip. If your ideal Aruba afternoon is a pool over the sea with a drink in hand, this is it.

Who it might not be for

Families with young kids, this one is not really built for you. Rum Reef leans into an adults-only, peace-and-quiet vibe, so it is not a splash-around family pool. And because it is all the way down in San Nicolas, it is a commitment from the hotel area rather than a quick stop.

What it actually feels like

The star is the big infinity pool that looks straight out over Baby Beach, elevated just enough that the water seems to spill toward the sea. It is a swim-up, cocktail-in-hand kind of place, unhurried and adult. Round the back on the ground floor there is a second, smaller pool that far fewer people find, so if you want a more private soak, head there. Some days there is live music, and because it is wheelchair accessible, it is easier to enjoy than a lot of beach spots.

Rum Reef

One memory

The turtles are the thing we still talk about. Floating in an infinity pool at the edge of Baby Beach, looking down, and there they are, gliding through the shallows like they own the place. You do not get that at a regular bar.

Rum Reef

Should it be one of your days on Aruba?

If you like the idea of trading the busy hotel strip for an infinity pool over the sea, a proper cocktail, and a bit of Aruban history under your feet, the drive to San Nicolas pays off. Go for the pool, stay for the sunset drinks, and build the day around Baby Beach.

Rum Reef
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Rum Reef

Where is Rum Reef and how do I get there?

Rum Reef is above Baby Beach in San Nicolas, at the southern tip of Aruba. It is a fair drive from the high-rise and low-rise hotels, so plan it as a day trip rather than a quick stop.

Can anyone use the infinity pool?

Yes, a minimum spend at the bar gets you pool access. There is the big infinity pool overlooking Baby Beach and a smaller, quieter pool at the back if you want more privacy.

Is Rum Reef family friendly?

Not really. Rum Reef runs on an adults-only, relaxed philosophy, so it is better suited to couples, friends, and divers than to families with young children.

What is good to order at Rum Reef?

It is a cocktail bar and grill, so start with a cocktail made from scratch, like the Smiling Lizard with coconut rum, or a Long Island Iced Tea. From the grill, the burgers and fresh seafood are both solid choices.

Can I go diving or snorkeling at Rum Reef?

Yes. It is home to JADS Dive Center, so you can buy or rent gear, and beginners can learn the basics in the pool before heading into the ocean. Baby Beach right below is calm and great for snorkeling.

Is Rum Reef wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Rum Reef is wheelchair accessible, which makes it easier to enjoy than many beach spots. Some days there is live music as well.

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