The Best Bars in the US Virgin Islands to Watch the Sunset
![Charlotte Amalie sits at the heart of the bar scene in St Thomas](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/charlotte-amalie-st-thomas-us-virgin-islands-caribbean-overlooking-the-harbor-at-sunset-.webp)
With coasts on the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the US Virgin Islands provide a picturesque sailing backdrop. The three islands – St Thomas, St John, and St Croix – total 737sqmi (1,909sqkm) and offer distinctly different nightlife but the same blazing sunsets. From bars where you can dock your boat, to shacks where you dip your toes in the sugar-white sand, to fancier spots with craft cocktails, these are the best bars to watch the sunset.
Cruise the best coastal bars as the sun goes down with Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.
Rhythms at Rainbow Beach, St Croix
Located in Frederiksted, this Rainbow Beach bar is accessible by boat or a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship pier. It’s a popular bar for sail and power boaters to drop anchor offshore and grab a cocktail to salute the show of pink and orange that happens every evening. The drink menu features freshly squeezed juices and a wide selection of island rums. Their signature Lime in the Coconut cocktail washes down that descending sun while your toes wiggle in the sand.
The Beach Bar, St John
![](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/kkre87.webp)
Known for its eclectic live music and custom-made picnic tables in the sand, this is a welcome stop whether you’re sailing and drop anchor or amble along the beach from the ferry dock. The Bushwacker adult milkshakes are potent, but the Beach Bar Painkillers are better, and they come in a gallon size to take back on the boat. Visitors can sidle up to the beachside bar, enjoy a libation, and take in the unobstructed view of the sun setting over Cruz Bay.
Sapphire Beach Bar, St Thomas
Even if you are not staying at the resort, this big old bar is worth a stop. The open-air space has lots of seating options to catch the sun descending over the turquoise waters of Sapphire Beach. The adjacent marina and proximity to the cruise ship port make this a top choice for those sailing around St Thomas or looking for a post-snorkel beverage. Don’t miss the Beach Confusion filled with all rums from coconut to banana.
Off the Wall, St Croix
![](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/f8cm7a.webp)
The brightly colored walls and decor bring the tropics inside this beachside hideout overlooking Cane Bay and the North Shore. The blue-tiled mosaic outdoor bar is the perfect spot to get a cold drink, enjoy a slice of Off The Wall Works pizza, and watch the pastel fireworks as the sun sets against the craggy shore. They embody their No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem motto with friendly, approachable service where you’re as likely to find a local as a visitor.
Louie & Nacho’s Beach Bar, St Croix
This Frederiksted hot spot has a spectacular view of the pier and the Caribbean Sea. The deepwater port makes for easy boat access, and the 27 varieties of tequila seal it as a great bar to watch the sunset. Grab a mango margarita, take a stroll on the beach, and enjoy a Crucian sun descending into the sea with its kaleidoscope of colors.
Skinny Legs, St John
![](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/d9m35r.webp)
This neighborhood watering hole has been serving visitors since 1991 when local bartenders, Dougie and Moe, decided to go into business. Famed for their slim legs dressed in knee-high socks and white sneakers, they named their establishment Skinny Legs. Ownership eventually passed to employee Doug Bean and wife Jaime in 2012, but they still have the canvas sail instead of the ceiling, live music, and blender-free drinks. The refreshing Raspberry Colada is the perfect accompaniment to Coral Bay sunsets.
Drink, St John
Located on Cruz Bay, this spot offers top-notch mixology and amazing sunset views. The open-air bar has front row seats to the bevy of boats anchored up in the cerulean waters, resident iguanas hanging out in the foliage, and sandy shore right below your feet. They specialize in Bushwhackers with unusual takes like peanut butter, Nutella, and Thin Mint to accompany those fiery sunsets.
High Tide, St John
![](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/abgeyp.webp)
Right on the sand near the Cruz Bay ferry dock, this beach bar features open-air cocktailing with a shaded canopy to enjoy those cotton candy sunsets. Visitors may recognize this spot from country boy Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation tour; the High Tide made with Blue Chair Bay Banana Rum, Sprite, and pineapple juice is the official drink you can order right here.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.