By KARAN MINNIS,Guardian Lifestyles Reporter,karan@nasguard.com

With over 700 islands and cays to explore, its no wonder that The Bahamas has long been a leading vacation spot that attracts thousands of tourist annually. With its vibrant nightlife, it's also the best place to sit back and cut loose.

"There's no place like The Bahamas — especially when it comes to having a good time," says Charles Johnson, owner of Cocktails 'n' Dreams and Charlie's Nightclub. "On Bay Street alone you have about 10 different places to go and have a good time in a safe environment and I think people need to take more advantage of that."

"In recent times people have been complaining that there's nothing to do, but if you drive around town on any given night you'll find something. You just have to know where to look.

"People like to judge a place before they even enter," he says. "For example at both of my clubs we have a good mix of people . . . lawyers, doctors and the like, but the word on the street is a bit different. I can't do much about that except to say come see for yourself."

Craig Pyform, co-owner of Club Fluid, Bay St. also says clubs and bars are trying to change public opinion by showcasing a safe environment. "People need a safe environment to have fun, and that's what we provide. "It's not just about going out and getting drunk, despite what people may think. Sometimes people just want to have a good time with friends and that's what establishments like us try to provide."

He says that some people are under the impression that local clubs try to cater to the tourists, and he says that is simply not true. "You do have some places where the tourist usually goes because of their location to the docks, however most clubs and bars attract a mixed crowd. The only real issue is selection. Despite the fact that most places have been open for years some people have no idea what the establishment has to offer," he said.

Da Tambrin Tree

If a mix of good 'ole grown folks old school and local music is what you're after, then that's what you'll get at Da Tambrin Tree where the grown folks party.

But if you're not up in age, and still consider yourself a teeny-bopper with a love for that genre of music, then you're welcome too.

"When we say grown folks we don't mean grown folks in terms of age, we mean mindset," says Fred Ferguson, owner of Da Tambrin Tree, Tonique Williams-Darling Highway. "We don't want any wild persons in the building. We want people who can behave and who can enjoy our grown folks atmosphere."

Da Tambrin Tree which has been open since September, 2008, is open six nights a week at 7 p.m. — closed on Tuesday's, and if you want to go, make sure you adhere to the dress code.

"We have a real adult crowd that doesn't mind sticking to our dress code of no sneakers, no hats, no short shorts, and no smoking."

The cost to party is just $20 and includes two drinks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday night admission is free, because it's all about karaoke. "We welcome everyone who wants to participate," says Ferguson. "What we have here is a fun and adult party and that's a big draw. Another draw is that food — good food is available at Da Tambrin Tree, so if you want a good time and good food come on down to the Da Tambrin Tree."

Da Tambrin Tree

Where: Tonique Williams-Darling Highway

Admission: $20 includes two drinks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday night admission is free.

Club Fluid

If the heart of the city center is where you like to party, then Club Fluid on Bay Street is the place for you. This establishment has been open since 2003 and caters to a diverse 21 years of age and older crowd, according to co-owner Craig Pyform.

"We have more than one section in our club and those sections appeal to different people."

The lower level is for the general public, the VIP area is for members and the bottle lounge. In the general area the music features a mixture of everything. In the VIP area, they don't play a lot of reggae, but opt for more R&B and hip, which is important because they are trying to cater to a more mature crowd.

Club Fluid is open nightly, except Monday and Wednesday, from 9 p.m.

On Tuesday nights the Whitney Houston-wanna be's can feel free to belt out what ever song they want at karaoke and for the soul-minded, recite an original poem during poetry night.

On Thursday night they have a new promotion with 3% Percent Entertainment called Venetian Thursday's that will ensure that every Thursday they will have a lot of new guest deejays to set the tone for the night.

Special events are also held on Friday nights, and Saturday is of course known as Super Saturday.

With a great selection of deejays, Pyform says on most nights you can find DJ Excitement, Super Mario, Marvin A, and Clean Cuts at Club Fluid. "We have the best deejays, o that's a big draw. Another draw is the fact that we have good prices because cost of entry at Club Fluid ranges from just $5 - $20 depending on the night."

Club Fluid

Where: Bay St.

Admission: $5-20, depending on the night

Nirvana Bar and Restaurant

Nirvana located one mile west of Traveler's Rest on West Bay St. is the place to be if you want to experience a live band performance in a great atmosphere. Traffic Jam, rocks the house on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. and Sundays from 7 p.m. with a lot of 60s and 70s music with a mix of the latest songs.

Currently, there's no cover charge, but that will change in the future. If you want great food to eat while you listen to Traffic Jam, their restaurant is open daily from 5 p.m.

"But for now if you want to come on down for some good food and to hear a good band you should come and have a good time," said Nirvana, co-owner Chris Fox

Nirvana

Where: West Bay St.

Admission: Free

Da Balcony

Looking for a place where you can expect nothing, but still experience everything? A place where you can make the night what you want it to be. If you want to dance, then dance, if you want to drink, drink, if you want to chill on the balcony you can just do that, then you're looking to hang out at Da Balcony on Bay St.

Open for three years, Da Balcony owner Dalton Mitchell says is establishment is not a nightclub, but a hangout spot. "We do not consider ourselves a night club. We are more like a hang spot. So if you like to go some place casual that's loose you need to come to Da Balcony. At my spot we have no stress, and definitely no fussing and fighting. If anyone fights, everyone has to go, that's our policy. We cater to a more mature crowd, 21 and over, and so we don't tolerate any fights.

Mitchell says the music selection changes with the crowd, but that for them it's mostly rock and soul.

"We try to do a crossover between the old rock 'n' roll and R & B. The point is to provide a cool, relaxed environment, so the music that we play is catered to the crowd that we have."

Da Balcony is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m., and ladies always enter free of charge. "For guys its just $5.00 unless we're having an event," he says. "But even then you know you're getting a good deal. Like our mottos says 'expect nothing, experience everything' and at Da Balcony you can make the night what you want it to be. If you want to dance, then dance, if you want to drink, drink, if you want to chill on the balcony you can just do that. It's up to you."

Da Balcony

Where: Bay St.

Admission: Ladies, free, guys $5.00 unless it's a special event

Cocktails' N' Dreams

Unlike other clubs that have opened, lasted a few years, and closed down because the fans move on to the next hot location, Cocktails 'n' Dreams has proved it has staying power, and is popular with the locals, having been around for eight years.

Located on West Bay St., club owner Charles Johnson says Cocktails is really the people's club. "It always seems to be the place of choice for the local market and we're proud to say that. We do have a lot of spring breakers when they're here but mostly it's a local club," he says.

"If you listen to the talks of the streets you'd think that Cocktails is a 'jungalist' club but I laugh at that because everyone comes to Cocktails. So when people say that [it's a 'jungalist' club] I have to ask what is a 'jungalist'?"

Open five nights week from 9 p.m. closing on Monday and Tuesday, this establishment showcases all genres of music including reggae and Soca. "We play a little of everything. Plus our deejays are always open to requests. So if you want to hear something in particular walk right up to them and ask. People like that. They appreciate the fact that they know what they'll get when they come here. They will get good specials, a good time, plus a low cost since the cost of getting in is just $5 to $15. Some nights we even have $2 specials, so partying at Cocktails is not expensive at all. Plus it's fun — at least if your 18 and older."

Cocktails 'n' Dreams

Where: West Bay St.

Admission: $5-$15, some nights there's even $2 specials

Charlie's Nightclub

Charlie's Nightclub (formerly Club 601) on East Bay St. is currently known as the Thursday Night Ladies Spot, but according to club owner Charles Johnson it's much more than that, because he says they cater to everyone.

"The only difference between this crowd and Cocktails that these people are willing to dress up more — especially on Thursdays. But generally its the same crowd."

Closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, Charlie's, which opens at 9 p.m. features two levels and a VIP room.

Even though its' upscale, the club, which has been open for approximately 2 1/2 years is inexpensive to enter, with the cost of admission varying from $10 - $15.

Charlie's Nightclub

Where: East Bay St.

Admission: $10-$15

Uptown Night Club (formerly Club Envy)

Uptown Night Club, formerly Club Envy, which has been operating for three months, is already becoming a favorite with the locals, according to co-owner Chigozie Ijeoma.

Located on Bay St. across the street from the British Colonial Hilton Hotel, Uptown Night Club features a wide variety of music that includes hip hop, local and R & B.

They also host a number of events with local artists as a draw to get people into their establishment. Last month, they had Tada's album party there, which he says was a big success, and that they're looking to do even more events of that nature.

Closed on Monday and Wednesday nights, Uptown, open from 9 p.m. Currently, Uptown's "Fridaze" happy hour is their biggest night.

"Our goal is to be a host venue for our local artists and to be the establishment of choice for the locals. The cost of entry to Uptown ranges between $10 - $20."

Uptown Night Club (formerly Club Envy)

Were: Bay St.: opposite Hilton Hotel

Admission: $10-$20