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By: Kristin Bourne
There are plenty of choices in Anguilla for a laid back and pretty place to get a refreshing drink. A few hours at an Anguilla hotel bar and/or a restaurant bar is often just what the vacation doctor ordered.
However, if we exclude those and are to talk about a type of bar that Anguilla is famous for, its laid back "beach bars", there are still many to choose from.
So how do we define a beach bar? An official business that plays music, is on or within inches of sandy beach and serves at least a cold bottle of beer, if not a full-fledged frozen drink. It doesn't have to necessarily be a lunch or dinner destination.
In Anguilla, this definition is almost 100% likely to include a friendly personality of the person working the bar and a tall dose of turquoise water to gaze at.
Until more open (and we've heard of another new spot opening soon!), here's our list of "true" Anguilla Beach Bars...
Note: If you agree with our choices and definition, or if you disagree, leave a comment on the page by clicking here. :-)
The Sunshine Shack
Location: Rendezvous Bay
Don't leave without talking to: Garvey
What Garvey will tell you to have: he'll tell you what most people order... the BBC or the Island Cream Dream. He'll also tell you that he used to be the mixologist at the beach bar at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, known for their Frozen Mojito
What you should have: the BBC or the Island Cream Dream
Music: Reggae (Gregory Isaacs, Bob Marley) comes from the speakers. Garvey himself chimes in every now and then
Who's there: boaters, tourists (many who are staying on Rendezvous Bay since they can walk!), a few locals
Best time to be there: from noon until late afternoon
A unique point about The Sunshine Shack: unlike every other Anguilla Beach Bar listed, every step you take here will be in the sand... there's no way to avoid it :-)
More on the Sunshine Shack
The Sunshine Shack
An Anguilla sunset from Elvis' Beach Bar
Location: Sandy Ground
Don't leave without talking to: Elvis
What Elvis will tell you to have: a shot of Mamawanna
What you should have: Pina Colada or beer
Music: Varies from Reggae, Soca, Pop, Hits of the 90's and 00's for house music or from a DJ. Elvis' will occasionally have live music, typically announced in advance.
Who's there: on a busy night, a mix of tourists and locals
Best time to be there: sunset and after
A unique point about Elvis' Beach Bar: many of the celebrities visiting Anguilla make their way here.
More on Elvis'
Elvis' during the day
The Dune Preserve at night
Location: Rendezvous Bay
Don't leave without talking to: Bankie
What Bankie will tell you to have: depends on his mood... he may suggest you sip a Blue Label with him, or that you should have whatever you like, otherwise perhaps a Duneshine.
What you should have: a Duneshine. (Note: the beer selection is more limited at The Dune)
Music: Bankie Banx tunes over the speakers (if he's not performing live), some Reggae, including a few from his son, Omari Banks
Who's there: mostly tourists and a few locals from time to time
Best time to be there: afternoon until...
A unique point about The Dune Preserve: it is owned by one of Anguilla's first recording and touring musicians
More on The Dune Preserve
The Dune Preserve early in the day
Plenty of dancing to the Scratch Band
at Gwen's Reggae Grill
Location: Shoal Bay East
Don't leave without talking to: Gwen
What Gwen will tell you to have: rum punch
What you should have: rum punch
Music: Reggae tunes if the live Scratch Band isn't playing
Who's there: mostly tourists. On Sundays, a mix of ex-pat and "snowbird locals" and tourists
Best time to be there: from 1pm
A unique point about Gwen's Reggae Grill: Gwen and her extra-potent rum punch
More on Gwen's Reggae Grill
Business cards line the walls at Palm Grove.
Be sure to add yours!
Location: Savannah Bay / Junks Hole
Don't leave without talking to: Nat
What Nat will tell you to have: the rum punch
What you should have: the rum punch
Music: the sound of the Caribbean sea and live music on Sundays
Who's there: a few tourists, an occasional local (not many of any)
Best time to be there: from noon
A unique point about Palm Grove: it is the most remote and challenging to reach beach bar (but fun and worth it)
More on Nat's
Savannah Bay from Palm Grove
Dad's Bar & Grill from the beach
Location: Sandy Ground
Don't leave without talking to: Dad
What Dad will tell you to have: Lionfish!
What you should have: Rum Punch
Music: varies from Reggae, Soca, Hip Hop, with live music several nights of the week
Who's there: at a busier time, mostly locals with a few laid back tourists
Best time to be there: sunset
A unique point about Dad's Bar & Grill Bar: it is the most local out of the beach bars on this list and the only one that serves up lionfish!
Sunset from Dad's
Tranquility Beach
(Luxury Hotel & Residences)
Long Bay Villas:
The Ultra-Luxury Villas
Sky, Sea & Sand
Santosha Villa Estate:
Anguilla's Most Sophisticated
Ultra-Luxury Villa
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