The Caribbean
is known for its fun bars and clubs, and Barbados nightlife
is no exception. The country is packed with Barbados music
clubs, hopping bars, and packed dance clubs in Barbados
that stay open until all hours of night. Other night life
in Barbados takes place at festivals
and events.
You won’t be in Barbados for very long before
someone suggests a trip to the Oistins
fish fry. The fishing village of Oistins is located
on the southern coast of Barbados, convenient to the city
of Christ Church. During
the day, the village is known as a marketplace for fresh
fish, but at night, locals and visitors alike gather at
Oistins to indulge in some fresh fish and to drink rum
while listening to Caribbean reggae or jazz music. The
party starts at around 6:00 every Friday night, although
there are people selling fresh mahi mahi, Kingfish, and
Marlin nearly all times of day every day. The food costs
around 15 Barbados dollars per plate, which is around
7 US dollars. This is a bargain, considering that the
vendors completely fill your plate with fresh fish, salad,
macaroni, or mixed vegetables.
Although dining in some restaurants
in Barbados can be a somewhat formal affair, the Oistins
fish fry is a completely casual experience. The experience
is so casual that rum is served by the in the typical
Barbados fashion-by the bottle. The unique part about
the Oistins festival is that the music is geared for both
younger people and adults. At one end of the festival
is more modern music such as hip hop and R&B, while
the other side of the festival plays the classic sounds
of Barbados music, such as Caribbean jazz or reggae. No
matter what your style is, you’ll want to head to
Oistins fish fry for some terrific night life in Barbados.
It’s no secret that rum is a favorite drink of Barbados locals, so what better way to experience Barbados nightlife than to drink rum in a Barbados bar. If you plan on vacationing in St. James or other west coast destinations, head to the Coach House. This bar features live nightly entertainment that captures the spirit of the laid back lifestyle of Barbados. A more upscale bar in St. James is “Upstairs at Olives.” The bar features a tropical setting as well as great food and drinks
Barbados nightlife is also well known for jazz music. Many people like to start their Barbados vacation by a night out on the town at some well-known jazz venues at the capital city of Bridgetown. The Waterfront Café is known for live Barbados music by local artists. The bar often fills up on Saturday nights, so show up early if you want to get a table. Of course, with all of the dancing that takes place at the Waterfront, you probably won’t need a table. Not far from the Waterfront café in Bridgetown is the “Boatyard,” a hip club located on Bay Street. The club usually attracts a twenty something professional crowd, while other clubs in Barbados often attract younger students.
St. Lawrence Gap,
affectionately known as “The Gap” in some
circles, is the ultimate destination for Barbados nightlife.
“After Dark,” is a dance club that is popular
with young crowds ranging from 18-25. You can groove to
the sounds of soca music, reggae, and calypso. Drinks
at “After Dark” are cheaper than most clubs
in Barbados, which is good news if you’re on a budget.
From discos and reggae music to fish festivals, Barbados
nightlife truly has something for everyone.
