Barbados is well known for its exciting night life. New clubs seem to hit Barbados every couple of years, adding new venues for visitors and locals.
You'll find something entertainment every night throughout the entire island of Barbados.
Let's start with some of the old established night spots that have been popular for a number of years.
The capital city of Bridgetown has its share of popular nightclubs which include The Boatyard, Harbor Lights, The Waterfront, and Baxter's Row.
The Boatyard is the number one beach bar and nightclub. The Boatyard Night Club offers the best in live entertainment. Beach facilities offered include: Roger's Scuba Shack, and the Boatyard Beach Club offers Costal Cruises, Beach Chairs & Umbrellas, Kayaks, Pedal Boats, Snorkeling, Glass Bottom Boats, Ocean Trampolines, Ice-berg Climb & Slide, Beach Volleyball, Showers, Changing rooms and much more. Excellent beach front dining is available at the South Deck Grill. The Boatyard is also home to Sharkey's, which is one of the liveliest bars on the island.
The Waterfront offers a sophisticated atmosphere with live entertainment day and night. Tuesday and Wednesday you'll find Steel Pan music, and Jazz on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This wharf-front restaurant has both indoor and sidewalk café seating where you can sit and watch the careenage action by day or night.
An interesting area of Bridgetown, is Baxter's Row, where you will definitely get a true Bajan experience with rows of Rum Shops, small restaurants, and bars. You won't find a lot of glitz here, but what you will find is excellent Bajan food at very affordable prices, and the action here doesn't stop til the wee hours of the morning. You can get a complete meal for $5.00 American dollars, which translates into $10 Barbados dollars.
On the West Coast Holetown has several popular night spots
Casbah (aka Baku) has a dress code and offers Moroccan charm with classy waiters, and silk throw cushions. Dance in the Casbah, Relax in the Baku Bar, and Brasserie offers fine dining.
The Crocodiles Den at the bottom of Holder Hill is very laid back and "The Croc" attracts a loyal party crowd
Olives has great food and live shows
Ragamuffins is known for good food and its Sunday night drag show.
The Coach House is located on the West Coast, and is a staple in Barbados. Bajan buffet offered during lunch, live entertainment every night, friendly atmosphere and good food.
The South Coast of Barbados is definitely known as the party coast
The St. Lawrence Gap having the largest concentration of restaurants, bars and clubs on the island. The newest club to hit the island is Club Xtreme. The 10,000 sq. ft club boasts the best state of the art lighting and sound system in the Caribbean. The parties are wild, and the name says it all!
The St Lawrence Gap is home to The Reggae Lounge, The Ship's Inn, After Dark, McBrides, B4 Blues, Cafe Sol, The Plantation, The Whistling Frog, and Jambalayas.
The Reggae Lounge - Open air nightclub offers the opportunity to dance the night away under the stars, surrounded by natural, tropical vegetation. You'll find a wide range of music here from Reggae and Calypso to R&B. On Saturday night, Biggie Irie hosts the CRS music Reggae night. The party never gets started til late.
The Ships Inn - Another popular open air nightclub and restaurant. Live music and DJ. Thursday and Saturday are the most crowded nights. Get in before 10 pm. Excellent live music
After Dark - The place to party in the Gap. Live music with popular island bands. After Dark offers outdoor and indoor dance floors, and a large well stocked bar where there are not two of the same drinks on the shelves. Friday and Saturday are the best nights to come dance with the locals.
McBrides - A real Irish pub with Irish music and memorabilia from Ireland. McBride offers good home cooked food.
B4 Blues - Oceanfront restaurant/bar offering live Blues and Rock entertainment.
Cafe Sol - One of the best people watching spots in the Gap at the outside bar. Lively music, the very best Mexican food and drinks.
The Plantation - Bajan Roots & Rhythms is the only dinner show theater that offers a look into real West Indian Culture. Guests are encouraged to join in the fun. Professional dancers, Bajan Buffet Dinner, Live Entertainment and Dancing. Located right across the street from Divi Southwinds.
Whistling Frog - On party night you'll find a real Bajan street party, Karaoke, live bands, and good affordable food and drinks. Located at Time Out At The Gap Hotel.
Jambalayas - Every Wednesday brings the sounds of Salsa with Fiesta Latina Night
Oistins Fish Market - Every Friday visitors from all over the island come to the tiny town of Oistins for the weekly fish fry, and a party is always brewing with music coming from everywhere. This is the space to socialize, eat some of the freshest seafood, and the oldies dancers just love to get a crowd of onlookers.
The Rum Shop is an important part of Bajan life. These small shops serve not only as a watering hole, but most importantly a meeting and socializing place. There are over 1600 Rum Shops on the island, and a visit to Barbados is not complete unless you visit at least one.
And for those SPORTS FANATICS
If you have to have your weekly "sports fix', not to worry - Barbados has at least seven sports bars offering satellite TV and a sports oriented atmosphere.
Bert's Bar, BG's Sports Bar and Restaurant, Bubba's Sports Bar and Restaurant (One of the best!) They even show Disney cartoons on Saturday for the kids), The Coach House, Double A Sports Bar, The Lucky Horseshoe Saloon, and Paradise Pizza.
This is only a sampling of the night life on the island of Barbados. As you can see, this island rocks with nightly entertainment.