The Best Bars to Visit in St Lucia

It’s not strictly a bar, but the Gros Islet jump up is by far the best place to party on the island. Held every Friday from sunset, the celebrations start when residents drag tables out on the street and crank up the sound system to blast out reggae. Barbeques serve up sizzling spicy chicken and freshly caught lobster and conch, stalls sell local arts and crafts, and tabletop bars offer cold Piton beers and rum punch – with a serious kick.

Arrive in plenty of time to watch the dramatic sunsets from this simple bar, right on the water’s edge in the Rodney Bay marina. A popular destination for those arriving by yacht, the laid-back bar is also loved by locals who head here for happy hour after work. There’s often live music at the weekend, and families are welcome to kick back with a beer and unwind.

You won’t miss this brightly colored wooden shack on Las Bas Beach in Marigot Bay, painted in the traditional Rastafarian colors of red, green and yellow. Grab a cold beer and take in the sea views with your toes in the sand, and the smell of spicy chicken cooking on the charcoal grill. Soaring palm trees overhead keep the Caribbean sunshine at bay or pull up a stool at the bar to chat with owners Sue and Peter – aka Fluffy – Wilfred.

It’s not the cheapest spot to sip on the island, but rum lovers should not miss a night at this oh-so-chic rum bar at Sugar Beach – a Viceroy Resort. There’s a professional rumologist on hand to guide you through your choices – along with some of the world’s best-aged spirits ready to pour and a list of unbeatable cocktails. We recommend the fiery chilli passion, which mixes rum with passionfruit, cranberry, ginger and chilli.

Rehab is named after the late musical icon Amy Winehouse, who loved St Lucia so much, she visited on holiday and ended up staying several months. In the heart of Rodney Bay Village, Rehab is a great place for cocktails, crowds and Motown music with a good-time atmosphere and a fun-loving crowd. Guarantee entry by starting here before visiting Rodney Bay’s string of bars and clubs.

If you can’t bear to drag yourself away from the beach, this open-air bar in Vieux Fort serves up cold beers with unbeatable sea views. The bar is open all day and a hit at the weekend, offering a small selection of local dishes and all the rum you’ll need to start a party right on the sand. There’s even karaoke on a Friday night if you’re feeling brave.

The liveliest spot in Rodney Bay, Coconutz, is hidden away behind a car park but is a reliable go-to for anyone looking for late nights, cheap drinks and loud music. It gets very busy after 10pm, so it’s worth arriving early and filling up on the bar’s reasonably priced tacos before the party gets really started. It’s open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, but those in the know head there on Tuesdays when drinks are two for one.

Start the night here on a Friday night if you plan on heading to the legendary Gros Islet street party and load up on the best jerk chicken in town first. Food is straight off the barbecue and should be washed down with one of the bar’s fruity daiquiris that taste just like the Caribbean poured over ice. Be warned, the rum punch is seriously strong.

This simple bar at the north end of Reduit Beach likes to get things started early by opening up in time for breakfast every day. Sunbathers, cruise ship day-trippers and yachters pop by for lunch and dinner but the best time to go is 5pm – the bar hosts a daily happy hour with two-for-one cocktails and a lively atmosphere. Try one of their famous martinis or go for a piton snow, with rum, lime juice, coconut cream and crushed ice.

Don’t worry, this beach bar isn’t as naughty as it sounds. It’s said to be named after the three fishermen who used to swim here in the buff each morning when the Cap Maison resort was getting built. They’re long gone but the vibes are just as relaxed – with lounge beds for two on the sand, a wooden deck for feasting on barbecued lobster, free watersports, live music and arguably the best burgers on the island.