Happening Nightlife Districts
During the day, the U.S. Virgin Islands is all about sunning on beautiful beaches, hiking with breathtaking views and touring unique historic sites. But once the sun sets, the fun continues with the exciting nightlife found on all three islands. From locally brewed beer and late-night bites to live music and fire dancers, going to bed early isn’t an option in USVI.
ST. CROIX
With the beautiful blue ocean on one side and charming bars, restaurants and boutiques on the other, a stroll along the Christiansted Boardwalk can easily be an all-day and all-night adventure. Enjoy craft beer, upscale pub fare and live music at the multilevel Brew STX, St. Croix’s only combination restaurant and microbrewery. Craving pizza? Head to The Mill Boardwalk Bar Brick Oven Pizza, which offers wood-fired pies and creative cocktails, both of which can be enjoyed on its outdoor deck. The Mill also features a tasting room where you can try a variety of Mutiny Island vodkas, made from local breadfruit. While breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch are all great times to experience Nate’s Boathouse, it’s daily half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. is yet another reason to visit this scenic harbor hot spot.
Located on the west end of St. Croix, Frederiksted has an intriguing past and features a bevy of colorful arcaded buildings along the waterfront. Overlooking Frederiksted Pier, Tap Deck Bistro & Bar offers live music, trivia and karaoke, along with delicious smoked meats, flatbreads and cocktails. At Flyers Bar & Grill, enjoy refreshing frozen cocktails and comfort food paired with uber-friendly service. Louie & Nacho’s Beach Bar has a variety of seating areas, including an upstairs bar overlooking the beach, in which to enjoy its specialties like fruity Crushes cocktails and a variety of tacos. At Leatherback Brewing Co., St. Croix’s first craft brewery, rainwater is the main ingredient in their stellar beers. See how it’s made and sample beers at the indoor/outdoor tasting room. Heading to St. Thomas? Check out that Leatherback location here.
For those looking for a more laid-back nightlife experience, St. Croix’s East End (which begins east of Christiansted) is the perfect option, with plenty of beachside bars and restaurants. There are activities galore at The Buccaneer, including live music at The Martel Lounge and fire dancers at Beauregard’s on the Beach. Expect stellar food, wine and cocktails, too. A favorite of locals, Castaways features live music, the occasional bingo night, burgers and wings, and spirited beverages. Live Caribbean folk music is front and center at the East End Bar in the Grapetree Bay Hotel, offering a celebration of island spirit and community. Feeling lucky? Try the exciting gaming at Divi Carina Bay Casino, located across the street from Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino.
ST. JOHN
Most visitors to St. John arrive via ferry to Cruz Bay, a charming village that features a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of unique bars, intriguing restaurants and live music venues. Enjoy happy hour every day from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Woody’s Seafood Saloon, a fun beachfront bar with a rooftop and live music. Sip signature cocktails like impeccably made Painkillers and Pirate Punch with your toes in the sand as you take in nightly live music at The Beach Bar, a decades-old spot that attracts visitors and locals alike. Stellar ocean views are paired with refreshing signature cocktails, a laid-back vibe and live music at Drink St. John. Feeling adventurous? Ask the friendly bartenders to whip up a drink concoted specially for you.
Designed by a local architect, Mongoose Junction is a popular Cruz Bay complex featuring lush tropical plants among its boutiques, restaurants and bars, many of which host live music shows and special events. Sip on handcrafted beer while testing your knowledge during Thursday Trivia Night at St. John Brewers Tap Room. Any night of the week, though, is a perfect time to enjoy their award-winning beers and handmade sodas, along with shareable appetizers and pizza. Pick up a St. John Brewers souvenir at the Brewtique. Be sure to visit their St. John Brewers on the Waterfront tasting room and store in St. Thomas, too. Colorful murals and more than 300 varieties of tequila await at Greengos Caribbean Cantina, which also features tasty Sonoran-style Mexican food. Heading to St. Thomas? Continue the tequila exploration at their location in Charlotte Amalie. Enjoy top-notch frozen tropical drinks and local music in the open-air courtyard at Sun Dog Cafe, nestled in the center of Mongoose Junction.
On the southeast side of the island, Coral Bay offers a more laid-back vibe at its bars and restaurants, some of which feature live music. The adventure begins before you arrive at Coral Bay Harbor’s Lime Out, where the only way to get there is via boat. Once there, a floating taco bar dishes out made-to-order tacos and inventive cocktails. With a 30-year history, forever funky Skinny Legs is the island’s go-to spot for burgers (we’re partial to the blue cheese version), fresh-squeezed margaritas and live music. Sporting a charming outdoor patio, Johnny Lime features fun festivities almost every night, including bingo, an open mic, trivia and live music, along with stellar barbecue and craft cocktails.
ST. THOMAS
Befitting its status as the capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie offers a wide array of bars, nightclubs and restaurants — many with live music, especially along the waterfront and downtown. Reward a successful shopping day on Main Street at Rum Island Pub in Drake’s Passage, where its signature icy rum punch lives up to the hype. The trifecta of cool live jazz, creative cocktails and modern Mediterranean cuisine make Saturday nights special at St. Thomas Social, located at Yacht Haven Grande. Open every night, Bliss Bar & Night Club is the spot to groove to soca and dance hall rhythms.
Located on the eastern end of the island, the bustling Red Hook neighborhood offers plenty of casual charm and a lively atmosphere at its bars, pubs and restaurants. A daily happy hour, Margarita Madness Mondays and Live Music Thursdays are just some of the special events at the popular Duffy’s Love Shack, which takes its tiki cocktail program very seriously while having lots of fun. A casual Caribbean sports bar and brewery, The Tap & Still features concerts and karaoke nights to go along with its locally made Rock City Brewing Company beers. The Tap & Still has a second St. Thomas location in Havensight, plus a St. John outpost in Cruz Bay. Share a hand-tossed pizza, sip a frosty margarita and listen to live music at Island Time Pub, located at American Yacht Harbor.
Located just outside of Charlotte Amalie, the quaint Frenchtown fishing village — don’t be surprised if you hear some older islanders speaking a Norman-French dialect — offers bars and eateries with local flair and a relaxed vibe. Start off your evening festivities with a tour and beer tasting at Frenchtown Brewing, known for their small-batch beers. Stop in for a slice at Pie Whole Pizza. Behind the colorful blue-and-pink storefront, you’ll find brick-oven pizza and plenty of beverages. Open until 3 a.m. seven days a week, The Jungle Night Club lets you dance the night away to island beats by local DJs.
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