A GUIDEBOOK AUTHOR'S FAVORITE BEACH BARS

Written by Lexi Fisher, Doyle Guides

Few things attract a crowd of yachtspeople as reliably as a good beach bar.  While doing research for the cruising guides I write through Doyle Guides, beach bars are often the place I end up for a cold drink and a break from the hot sun.  They are everywhere, and more often than not are great sources of information; the bartenders are usually locals who are knowledgeable about the area, and the yachtspeople gathered there are all too happy to chat about their experiences and lend their opinions.  When I’m having trouble tracking down a business that may have moved, a service provider whose phone number is out of service, or need to know what the deal with that new marina is, a good beach bar often holds the answers. 

I’ve judged the beach bars below based on vibes alone; atmosphere, setting, and friendliness of the patrons and service staff (but not necessarily speed or efficiency of service, which is usually a gamble in the Caribbean), and I’ve only included ones that fall within the region of our guides; the Northern Leewards (Anguilla to Montserrat), Southern Leewards (Barbuda to Dominica), Windward Islands (Martinique to Grenada), and Trinidad, Tobago, and Barbados.  These guides, plus Simon Scott’s BVI and USVI guides, can be found digitally on the Doyle Guides mobile app, available on both Apple and Android.  If there’s a beach bar you love that isn’t on the list, or you visit one of the below to find something has changed, let me know! ([email protected]).  My research and updates go directly into the digital guide content as I gather them, and while I’ll be sailing through and focused on our Northern and Southern Leewards guides this season, updates to any of our digital guides can be made at any time. 

Elvis Beach Bar, Anguilla

At the north end of the beach in Road Bay, Anguilla’s main anchorage, Elvis [$$$] has the area’s best beach bar hangout.  The bar, built out of an old Anguilla racing sloop in the middle of the beach, is irresistible.  He opens every day around 1100 (kitchen opens at 1200) until way late at night.  Opening brings in a casual and friendly crowd, often with kids, to enjoy the on-the-beach feel and watch the sun go down to background music.  On weekdays happy hour is from 1600-1800 with half-price nachos, margaritas, rum punch, and beer (weekends 1200-1400).  By night, Elvis’ is the party place, with live music now and again.  Elvis has a big projector screen for sports games, so big you can pretty much see the action from halfway down the beach.

Sunshine Beach Bar & Grill, Nevis

Sunshine’s [$$$], at the south end of Pinney’s Beach, is world famous, has been there forever, and has the best beach location.  You cannot leave Nevis without visiting for a rum punch or Killer Bee cocktail.  It attracts escapees from the Four Seasons Hotel, locals, and yachtspeople who eat under the colorful shelters.  It is run by Sunshine, whose cheerful manner keeps people coming back and makes it an entertaining hangout.  Sunshine’s is recognizable by its big sign and bright colors; pull your dinghy up on the beach right outside.  One of Sunshine’s Killer Bee cocktails will get your mood up and ready for his daily barbecue of fresh fish, lobster, and chicken, cooked as you like it.  Pull in for a swim and lunch, or come for a sunset drink and stay for dinner.  Talk to Sunshine about laundry delivery, buying fresh fruit and vegetables, and disposing of yacht garbage.  He has WiFi, which you may be able to use from the boat if you pick up a mooring close by.

Bar One, Bequia

Bar One [$$] isn’t technically a beach bar, but it is on the water.  It is the region’s only floating bar, anchored out in the middle on the south side of Admiralty Bay, out from Plantation House.  It was created, and is owned, by Kerry Ollivierre, the Bequia maintenance and repair man, and run by Ivor, his brother-in-law, who you may meet behind the bar.  It is well designed with swinging seats around the bar in the middle, and fixed seats around the edge.  You can tie your dinghy right behind.  Being breezy, light-hearted, and fun all help make this bar great, but Ivor the master mixologist provides the magic.  His passion fruit rum punch, with a delicious refreshing flavor, is a stunning variation on the usual rum punch and deserves an award.

Thompson Island, Union  

Right out in Clifton Bay is Thompson Island [$$$] (formerly Green Island), where Carlos has built a welcoming beach bar and restaurant with a great view of the bay.  The bar sits perched on a large rocky outcropping above a large spit of white sand.  They serve local BBQ meals by reservation and have picnic tables, sun loungers, and small sandy swimming holes.  He plans to build a dinghy dock, but for now, follow the line of small white buoys into the north side of the island and beach the dinghy.

Off The Hook, Paradise Beach, Carriacou

Off the Hook [$$] is at the very west end of Paradise Beach.  This is a quintessential Caribbean beach bar.  It can be quiet during the day, but can get wild into the evening when the owner, Curtis, has been known to throw a great beach party with a bonfire.  The vibe is eclectic, with lounge chairs and palapas for sitting out on the wide white sand beach with a spectacular view of Sandy Island.  Curtis serves simple local meals and a wicked strong rum punch. 

La Plywood, BBC/Morne Rouge, Grenada

La Plywood Bar [$$] sits just above the beach with a lovely view of the water.  They attract a mixed crowd of locals and tourists from nearby hotels.  They are known for their fish tacos, which are worth the visit, and they have live music every Saturday from 1600 until midnight.  To get there, take a taxi or walk from Grand Asne.  Mourne Rouge is part of a marine protected area no anchoring is allowed, though you may see yachts in the bay due to a lack of enforcement. 

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