The Driftwood in Maho sounds like the type of restaurants that you are looking for and easily accessible by bus from Simpson Bay . I find getting around the Dutch side on the little vans/ busses the natives use pretty conveninent - although they do stop running early in the evening, but you can always get a taxi home. However if you really want to explore the entire island - especially the French side, you might want to consider retnting a car at least for a couple of days. Car rentals are actually pretty reasonable. How long is your visit? If you only have a week or less, you can probably find enough to keep you busy on the Dutch side if you're really opposed to renting a car. I think any reasonable bartender could mix your drink satisfactorilly - and there a plenty of happy hours all over the island
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