Island Beats & Caribbean Feasts
Music and food are at the heart of USVI culture, where every day is an opportunity to share the local cuisine and groove to the rhythms of the islands. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to get out and dance, you’ll find Caribbean flavor and vibrant entertainment at these lively spots.
ST. CROIX
Cruzian Bayou Bistro brings a bit of New Orleans je ne sais quoi to St. Croix. This downtown Christiansted restaurant hosts frequent fêtes, from seasonal parties to Sunday Nite Block Parties, with frosty drinks and spicy music like Afro-Caribbean, calypso and soca. Expect delicious NOLA-inspired eats such as shrimp and grits, shrimp po’ boys and gumbo ladled over flaky biscuits. Say hello to chef Christie — she infuses joy in every meal she makes.
Head to the roomy outdoor patio at The Deep End Bar & Grill for high-octane Painkillers, Angus beef burgers and plenty of entertainment. You’ll hear frequent live music from local artists, including jazz, blues and R&B. Don’t miss Filipino Night on Tuesdays, when you can feast on lumpia and chicken adobo while traditional dancers demonstrate tinikling — a rhythmic dance between the taps of two bamboo poles. Or check The Deep End’s social media for upcoming fire dancers, moko jumbies and disco bingo nights.
At Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino, you can be more than just a spectator — you can get in on the action. This beachfront resort is home to the only Virgin Islands casino, with 250+ slots and table games including blackjack, roulette, craps and poker. The on-site bistro is open late, serving laid-back bites like wings and quesadillas. With three bars, live music and DJs, trivia and karaoke, you may never want to leave!
The seafood is fresh, and so is the jazz, at Nate’s Boathouse on the Christiansted Boardwalk. Sample daily catches like mahi and snapper, plus imports that include snow crab and Chilean salmon. Visit on Sundays during the on-season for international brunch specials, bottomless cocktails and live jazz. Or stop by on summer Fridays to enjoy yacht rock. And if there’s no live music when you visit, you can get a table right on the boardwalk for great harbor views and people watching.
ST. JOHN
At The Beach Bar in the pedestrian-friendly Wharfside Village shopping area, you’re likely to stumble on a party in progress. Their beachfront stage hosts live music most nights, with local acts like feel-good indie rock, rhythmic reggae and soulful bluegrass. Snack on golden fried shrimp and tuna poke nachos, or hop up and dance at this high-energy favorite. And don’t miss their signature Painkiller — you can purchase the cocktail by the gallon and take it onto the beach.
Cruz Bay’s Lovango Rum Bar is the perfect place to sit and savor. Daily live music on the upstairs patio sets the vibe at sunset, with mellow singers and smooth guitars. Things heat up after dark, with lively rock and indie bands on select nights during the season. Craft cocktails feature Lovango’s house-made rums and syrups. Try the Skull Fracture — Lovango dark rum, sweet date shrub and cherry bitters. They also serve pizza made in a stone oven for a perfectly chewy crust.
You won’t find a blender or deep fryer at Skinny Legs on Coral Bay. Since 1991, they’ve been shaking up their drinks by hand and serving juicy half-pound burgers with sides of crispy potato chips. You’ll feel the island beat on the colorful and eclectic patio, with live reggae, rock or R&B most weekends. Pick up souvenirs while you’re there, like hats, koozies and even dog leashes featuring the original founders’ “skinny legs.”
Rum bar The Refinery is one of St. John’s top-rated destinations for Caribbean street food and handcrafted rum cocktails. Get a bit of everything to share with your table, like handmade Cuban empanadas and Trinidad doubles (curried chickpeas and cucumber salad on Johnny cakes). Try a pick-me-up with a rum espresso martini or choose from the menu of classic daiquiris. And once you’ve loosened up, dance to live music as the breeze blows in from Cruz Bay.
ST. THOMAS
Get in on the fun at Charlotte Amalie barbecue joint The Smoking Rooster. They have a full schedule of entertainment like Two-Step Tuesdays with line dancing, Karaoke Thursdays, live soca by Top Notch Band on Fridays and bar games on Saturdays. Pair it all with mouthwatering brisket, pulled pork and racks of pork ribs slow-smoked over American oak and you’ve got yourself a great time. You can walk here from the Havensight dock in just a few minutes.
The classic pub meets USVI at the Caribbean Saloon Steakhouse & Bar. Slide into a cozy wooden booth with a view of the Vessup Bay marina for signature steaks, classic pastas and authentic Philly cheesesteaks. Keep an eye on their social media for the seasonal concert series and pop-up performances by local and visiting bands, plus DJ sets. Cheer on the amateurs during Friday night karaoke. And when there’s no live music, watch Monday night football on a 16-foot TV screen.
For a party on the East End, head to Sapphire Beach Bar. Their spacious pavilion on Saint John Bay is right on the beach, so you can kick off your shoes and get some sand between your toes. The food is simple but tasty, with fresh fish tacos and classic cheeseburgers. Celebrate the weekend with live music or open mics on Sunday afternoons. Their monthly Full Moon Party is a true bacchanal with high-energy DJ sets, fire dancers and moko jumbies — it’s one of the biggest parties on the island!
Perched on a corner at Crown Bay Marina, Tickles Dockside Pub offers a hearty menu and refreshing cocktails. Try their famous smashburger made with a house chuck blend or the spicy buffalo chicken wrap, cooked in their scratch kitchen. Catch the laid-back tunes of Joe Sciarrone every Tuesday night or step up to the mic yourself during Wednesday open mic nights. And watch the luxury yachts and cruise ships come and go as you sip a peach sangria or top-shelf margarita.