Grenada & Carriacou / Bars/Nightlife

The beach bars in the southern part of the island and the bars in St George’s (particularly the ones surrounding the Carenage), see an easy-going mix of visitors and Grenadians. The musical diet is fairly international, with a range of R&B, Hip Hop, Soca and international rock. It is always worth asking around what is happening in the hotels because some of the best entertainment happens there. The music in local clubs includes plenty of Jamaican dancehall as well as Latin and other Caribbean sounds. In the north of the island, where there are fewer tourists, there is a much stronger Caribbean flavour, so if you would like to see a regional band playing to a local crowd look around at the fly posters and in the papers, or ask.

There is no real dress code in the bars and clubs, but smart casual would be normal except on the beach and in open-air clubs. Don’t forget the beach bars though, because they are some of the coolest Grenadian experiences.

Here is a selection of recommended bars in Grenada, Carriacou & Petit Martinique:

Grenada

Club Bananas, True Blue - The most popular lime on a Friday night. An open-air bar (and reasonably-priced restaurant) with air-conditioned disco playing live music (Wednesday is Caribbean Oldies;, Thursday Latin Soca; Friday Caribbean Club; and Saturday Alternative and Techno). Cover charge on Friday. A good mixture of locals, visitors and medical students during term time.

De Big Fish, True Blue Marina - bar/restaurant popular with yachties. Combo and singer on Saturdays.

Fuzion, L'Anse aux Epines - A very popular meeting place for local business people with a more mature crowd up to midnight before the younger ones appear. Don’t be fooled though, with disco music each night and a live band on Friday from 9pm to midnight, Kudos is a lively bar. Small restaurant and nightclub also on the same lot.

Horni Baboon Watering Hole, Lazy Lagoon - Set on a small deck above the lagoon, very laid back, rustic and popular with yachties and Grenadians on their way home from work. Unusual seating - the chairs are loo seats and stools cut from tree trunks - and generally good fun, with impromptu jam sessions.

Di Vino, Grand Anse - Cosy, air-conditioned wine bar next to Carib Sushi and La Boulangerie in Le Marquis Shopping Complex. It has a good selection of wines, brochette and other accompanying snacks. Around EC$15 for a large glass of wine. Live music on Wednesday nights.

Owl Bar at The Flamboyant, Grand Anse - Open-sided bar at the foot of Grand Anse bay, nice setting for a quiet drink looking across to the harbour and the capital. Stays open late as the name suggests, pool table and sports on the TV.

Club Fantazia 2001, Morne Rouge - Lively club with an open-fronted bar looking west to the sunset. Mainly a local crowd, Wednesday is “Blast from the Past” (sees an older crowd);  Friday “Hot Tempo” (younger crowd); Saturday features local and regional bands and DJs. Very busy on the last Friday of the month.

Creole Shack, St George’s - Right on the waterfront next to the Nutmeg, at street level. Cafeteria by day (very popular for lunch) with reasonable prices. Bar in the evenings, with TV screen. Very popular for karaoke on Friday and Saturday.

Karma Night Club, Bar & Grill, St George’s - Close to the Nutmeg restaurant on the Carenage, Karma is the latest night club to open in Grenada. New, state-of-the-art nightclub - air-conditioned bar, 12 plasma TV screens (even in the loos), central dancefloor, top-of-the-line sound systems and lights, lasers, etc. Karma is popular with Grenadians and visitors alike, young and old, with a good range of themed nights, imported stage acts and discounts available from selected locations. There are four bars, including one upstairs for the VIP lounge. Wednesday is karaoke night; Thursdays is for the students; there is a DJ and video effects on Friday; with Saturday left open for parties, private events and concerts (Tarrus Riley recently performed there). There is an entrance fee of EC$25, from which VIP members are exempt.

The Arena, Plains - Country disco, remote venue for large concerts with reggae musicians. Local music and food, very popular with locals from the northern parishes.

Key West Nightclub, Gouyave - A lively club, whose owner brings in the most popular regional/international artists to perform either at the club or a larger venue.

Fish Friday Festival, Gouyave - Friday night street party that offers fun, music and dance. Sample local cuisine and culture, lots of fish and lobster fresh from the sea washed down with ice cold Carib beer, (kebabs, pizzas too). US$25 per person for return bus journey and a guide (minimum of 4 persons needed for the bus to operate). Trips can be booked through Caribbean Horizons.

CARRIACOU

Nightlife is never that lively in Carriacou, but in season a crowd can gather in the few easy-going bars as well as in local bars at the weekends and during festivities. There are just few in Hillsborough and around the island, but there is a string of restaurant/bars in Tyrell Bay where you can get a drink or buy one and take it across the road and watch the sunset from the sand (some have chairs under the trees). You would also be welcome in any of the hotel bars or restaurants. Listen out for local events. You would be welcome to go along to these as well if you wish.

After Ours, Tyrrel Bay - Upstairs above the supermarket, a large room that also doubles as the main venue for musical bands.

Lambi Queen, Tyrrel Bay - Very local bar with West Indian food.

Twilight Restaurant and Bar, Tyrrel Bay - Local flavour with indoor/outdoor dining next to the supermarket, friendly staff and a mean rum punch.

Lazy Turtle Pizzeria, Tyrrel Bay - An Italian restaurant ideal for a drink and a pizza, wireless internet, no credit cards.

Hardwood Bar and Snacket, Paradise Beach - Set in the trees just behind Paradise Beach. Can be lively in the evenings as well.

In Hillsborough you can stop by for a drink at Ann and Sharon's Snack Bar and the Butterfly Bar, which also serves pizzas. Hours vary according to custom.

PETITE MARTINIQUE

On Petite Martinique most bars are simple and local. They include Uprising, Standing Wave and Angel's.

Palm Beach - An attractive bar/restaurant set in a stone building and under shingle shelters in its own garden right on the beach. On the waterfront in town.