Dominica / Bars/Nightlife

Dominica has never been a destination for the dedicated night owl, with much of the entertainment centred on specific hotels, although things can get very lively around Roseau during the pre-Lenten Carnival, the World Creole Music Festival in October, at hotels like Fort Young, Anchorage and Evergreen during Dive Fest in July and the occasional international cricket match at the new Windsor Park Stadium. Independence Day celebrations around November 3rd are also an uptempo affair. Otherwise it’s more an early to bed, early to rise sort of place, saving your energy for arduous mountain and waterfall hiking.

Roseau lost its most atmospheric night spot when the Sutton Place Hotel’s, Cellar Bar closed for refurbishment but there are other hardy perennials and a couple of hangouts of course nearby. Elsewhere around the country searching out nightlife is a selective enterprise, and sometimes unrewarding - larger rural settlements like Marigot will occasionally host an all night street jam.

Here is a selection of recommended bars on Dominca:

Roseau and the South-West Area

The Cove, Canefield - An after hours club just north of the capital, The Cove advises you to ‘feel the heat’ on Fire Fridays after trying a Mind Eraser but go steady on these in case someone is forced to end up feeling for your pulse later. Deejays and live bands appear at both places

Krazy Coconuts, Castle Comfort - Popular late night club just a mile south of Roseau, with live bands and DJs on different days of the week.

Fort Young Hotel, Roseau - Excellent barbecue and steel band on the seafront terrace on Mondays. Popular on Fridays evenings for its ‘after work’ Happy Hour in the Boardwalk Bar from 6pm-8pm with live entertainment to 10.30pm.

Evergreen Hotel, Castle Comfort - Friday evenings are jazz nights and there is a Happy Time from 6pm-11pm.

Garraway Hotel, Roseau - The Ole Jetty Bar is the place to be on Friday nights for karaoke, live entertainment and their TGIF Happy Hour.

The Garage Bar, Roseau - Dimly lit grill bar with taped music.

Symes Zee’s Jazz Night, Roseau - Live music on Thursday’s unless it’s raining, when the itinerant jazz ensemble has difficulty travelling.

Caribbean Magic Spices Ruins Rock Cafe, Roseau - Located behind Royal Bank near the old Slave Market, it is quite a mouthful for a name, intent no doubt on covering all the bases, but reflective of its quixotic local cuisine, famed cocoa teas and spectacular rum punches; also more commonly known as Ruins. Consume three of the punches and yes, you’ll definitely be ruined.

JR’s Bar & Grill, Roseau - Another well patronised local bar near the Pointe Michel bus stop.

Icho, Massacre - One of the west coast’s main liming bars.

Seamoon Club, Massacre - Another main west coast liming bar.

Northern and East Coast Area

Big Papa’s Restaurant & Sport Bar, Portsmouth - Simple, beachfront establishment. Occasional live bands, reggae night with DJ on Wednesdays and has an all night Caribbean Dance Party lime on Saturdays.

Red Rock Haven, Pointe Baptiste - Their Escape Beach Bar & Grill in the far north-east is attracting clientele from far and wide.

Pagua Bay Bar & Grill, Marigot - Stylishly decked in a splendid roadside location on the outskirts of Marigot. Closed Mondays.

Randy’s Restaurant & Bar, Wesley - Located north of Marigot. Dishes out great stewed turkey and curried chicken and hosts a reggae night on Wednesdays.

Shrews Bar, Marigot - Popular local spot.