The best bars in the Caribbean have certain attributes: The drinks are frosty, the view is dreamy and the nearby sea laps the shores ever so gently. That wonderful set of criteria, however, narrows our list of favorites only slightly, so we’ve done a little more research to find some of the best.
Using our own travel experiences (and we’re partial to beach bars that have great food and the expected drink), and some recommendations in the Caribbean from well-traveled pals, here’s a list of our favorite beach bars at ports of call where Windstar visits:
Antigua: Catherine’s Cafe
Where: Catherine’s Café, English Harbour, Pigeon Point Beach, Antigua
What’s to like: What stands out about Catherine’s Café is not just its cocktails but also its cuisine. Its dishes’ roots are planted firmly in French cuisine that’s further elevated by fresh seafood; try the fresh blue point oysters and, if you feel like splurging, add some Ossetra caviar to it. Other dishes to try include a grilled Greek salad, lobster tail and a truffle and leek risotto. Signature cocktails include a blood orange gin and tonic, an old-fashioned rum punch, and a watermelon martini.
Somewhat unusually for a beach-front bar in the Caribbean, Catherine’s Café has a solid wine list with a great selection of French rosés.
Need to know: Catherine’s Café is about a 20-minute walk (or five-minute taxi ride) from the ship’s tender port (near Nelson’s Dockyard); the front desk crew and the restaurant can arrange for a taxi, as well.
Anguilla: Elvis’ Beach Bar
Where: Elvis’ Beach Bar, Sandy Ground
What’s to like: In a nutshell? We “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The Soggy Dollar Bar (see below, Jost van Dyke) ranks numero uno on many lists, but Elvis’ Beach Bar in this British overseas territory, is a solid second. The food fuses the flavors of the Caribbean with traditional Mexican fare with don’t miss dishes like jerk-chicken nachos and slow-roasted “goatchos”.
You’ll find inspiration from the King in the form of the Love Me Tender libation, a blend of Malibu rum, pineapple juice and a soupçon of Sprite, and the Blue Suede, which blends blue Curaçao, rum, pineapple and cream of coconut.
Peek at the bar’s webcam, and you can almost feel that tropical breeze working its magic. If you’re a sports junkie, you can find your team favorites at its sports-channel rich projection TV and if you’re in search of solitude, grab a hammock and sway in the breeze
Need to know: Windstar docks offshore in the Road Bay Bar area, and tenders ferry guests to the town of Sandy Ground, home to Elvis’ Beach Bar and a short walk away.
Barbados: Johnny Cool’s Jazz and Blues
Where: Johnny Cool’s Jazz and Blues Beach Bar on Dover Beach
What’s to like: Johnny Cool’s, which sits on a gorgeous stretch of sand and exudes that kind of vibe that results from its location, music, food (the flying fish cutter sandwich gets a rave) and drink (Deputy vs. Banks beers can be a lively debate) and the music. No argument about the sunsets here: The solar show is out of this world…or at least it feels that way.
Need to know: Windstar docks at Bridgetown Cruise Port. Johnny Cool’s is about five miles farther along the coast in Oistin’s. Your best bet is to hail a cab.
Curacao: Kokomo Beach
Where: Kokomo Beach and Restaurant in Vaersenbaai, Willemstad
What’s to like: You’re probably hearing the refrains of “Kokomo,” the Beach Boys’ 1988 song that also starred in the movie “Cocktail,” long before you realize that this beach also has a good bar and restaurant where you can order an Aperol Spritz or an Espresso Martini, along with burgers, sandwiches and salads. It’s a quiet place, terrific if you’re seeking an escape from the hubbub of a full-steam-ahead bar scene.
Need to know: Windstar usually docks at Mathey Wharf, about a five-minute walk to downtown Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site lauded for its colorful and well-preserved architecture and its history as a Dutch colonial trading settlement. Vaersenbaai itself is about a 15-minute ride from Willemstad. You can cab it, but taxis can be pricey so it may be best to rent a car (you can do so at the dock but reserve in advance) if you hope to see more of the island.
Jost Van Dyke (British Virgin Islands): Soggy Dollar Bar
Where: White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
What’s to like: Soggy Dollar comes up on seemingly every “best” list – for a reason. It’s best known for its Painkiller, a cocktail where dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut – and here’s our favorite touch: it’s garnished with freshly grated nutmeg. The Painkiller, in fact, was invented here in the 1970s. The bar’s name was inspired by the fact that most visitors arrived by private boats and had to swim to the beach to get here. Though it’s famed for its cocktails, we also love the fresh seafood at Soggy Dollar; favorites include the flying fish sandwich and grilled lobster salad.
Need to know: Windstar anchors at Jost and tenders transport you to Great Harbour. If you feel like walking, head up and over the hill to White Bay (it’s about 45 minutes or so); sometimes taxis are available as well. Also note that another bar that’s famous on Jost Van Dyke is Foxy’s Bar, known for its live music performances (back in the day, Keith Richard, who owned a house on the island, would wander down to play). To walk to Foxy’s, you head right from the tender dock for about 15 minutes (you can see it from the pier).
St. Barts: Shellona
Where: Gustavia
What’s to like: The only beach bar located within the city of Gustavia (and walkable from the tender pier), Shellona is on Shell Beach, which inspired the name of the restaurant and bar. You’ll feel a bit like you’ve been transported to Greece (which is a departure from the very French-influenced St. Barts) as the ambience is striking; you can swim, listen to DJs spin tunes, and enjoy a fusion of Greek and Caribbean flavors. We love its truffle pizza, various mezze and lemon chicken. It offers a range of cocktails though this is a place just meant for Greek and French glasses of rose.
Need to know: You definitely need to book a table at least a few days (if not more) in advance; the good news is you can do that through its website. Shellona is about a ten-minute walk from Gustavia’s ferry terminal (close to where Windstar tenders passengers). The beach here is, true to its name, full of shells; if you plan to stretch out on the sand, bring bathing towels (or rent a sunbed). And Shellona, just like so many places on St. Bart’s, can be a splurge; a chicken burger is €39, red snapper runs about €46, and a Kobe burger is €150.
St. Lucia: The Naked Fisherman Restaurant and Beach Bar
Where: Smuggler’s Cove
What’s to like: If you’re looking to fulfill your fantasy of a sea breeze that tickles you under a thatched-roof place that looks out on the sea, the Naked Fisherman, part of the Cap Maison resort, is an excellent choice. It’s not a party hearty place, but it is a “sitting pretty” place where you can enjoy the view, the libations and the food. Our favorite dishes here include locally caught snapper, grouper and dorado; if the Creole seafood boil is offered as a special, order it!
As for libations, Naked Fisherman’s house cocktail is made with Tequila Blanco, vodka curacao and lime. The Cream Splash features Baileys, creme de cocoa, ice cream, and nutmeg. There’s a full bar, including wine and beer, too.
Need to know: Windstar guests more than likely will enter St. Lucia at Pigeon Island’s Rodney Bay on St. Lucia’s northwest coast, where passengers are tendered ashore. (In some cases, your ship may also anchor in the area of Soufriére.) You can cab the 2.5 miles to Naked Fisherman from Rodney Bay but try to settle on a price with your driver before you depart. Note that beachwear is allowed during the day but banned for dinner and that there are several steps down to get to the restaurant/bar.
Bequia: Bar One
Where: Port Elizabeth, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
What’s to like: You will not be adrift at Bar One, but you will be afloat. You’ll need to take a water taxi (or a dinghy or swim if you’re so inclined) to reach the floating watering hole in Admiralty Bay just off 7-square-mile Bequia. It’s worth the effort, thanks to bar “stools” that swing and cocktails that whisper to you that you should never go home. Depending on how much you imbibe (and this is our one exception to good food-at-the-bar criteria) anything other than nibbles isn’t served here. Just request a return water taxi to the pier, and board your tender back to your ship.
Need to know: Windstar anchors offshore in Admiralty Bay (where Bar One is located) but call ahead to the bar and request water taxi pickup (about 5 to $10 EC). Phone number: 1-784-530-8123. You’ll need to tender to the dock at Port Elizabeth, where you’ll find your water taxi. Before heading out to the floating bar, enjoy a hearty breakfast or lunch or scope out the landside restaurants and figure out where to eat after you indulge in that first seductive cocktail. You don’t want to be so relaxed that you miss your boat!
Editor’s Note: Do you have a favorite we should include? Drop a note in the comments….
