It's no secret that there at Saint Luke, we like rum. This Caribbean born spirit has long been known as the preserve of sailors and pirates who enjoyed it in exotic, sun-drenched locales - and frankly, not much has changed.
Here we share with you our favourite sun drenched shacks across the world. First up, our personal favourite:
1. Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyke
Rebuilt in 2018 after being (almost) flattened by Hurricane Irma, we're delighted to report that these guys are well and truly back. Famous for their 'Painkiller' cocktails which originated and perfected back in the '70s, this rum shack is a melting pot for locals and yachtsmen alike.
The Soggy Dollar Bar is appropriately named because originally there was neither a road nor dock to access the place. (There is now a road from Belle Vue, but still no dock). To reach the beach where the bar is located, it is a common practice for boaters to anchor off the beach, swim to shore, and pay for their drinks with wet money.
2. Little Bristol Beach Bar, Barbados
Hidden away off the main tourist tourist track, Little Bristol Beach Bar is located in Speightstown on the beach. This area is often overlooked by visitors to the west coast of Barbados as its more fashionable neighbour, Holetown has more obviously tourist-friendly shops and restaurants. But Speightstown (or Little Bristol as it was once known) is charmingly untouched by mainstream tourism and its eclectic mix of shops and market stalls exist for the benefit of locals rather than visitors - which we love.
Rustic, lively, fun and colourful - head here on Fridays and Wednesdays for a rocking party with live music!
3. Foxy's, Jost Van Dyke BVI
This island may be small but it's got two of our favourite bars in the world. Introducing Foxy's - which was set up back in 1960 by "Foxy" Callwood, to welcome sailors to the island.
Always quick with a song, joke or story, Foxy has been welcoming visitors for 5 decades. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to heritage and tourism in the British Virgin Islands, including an MBE from H.M. The Queen of England, Elizabeth II.
4. Basil's Bar, Mustique
Located on one of the world's most exclusive islands, Basil's is not just a bar, but a unique place full of history and heritage, shared memories, and a hell of a lot of soul. Basil's Bar has a long-standing history of sleepless nights and full glasses and throughout the year Wednesday Night Jump Up and Sunday Night Sunset Jazz evenings offer live music where guests are known to kick off their shoes and take to the floor.
This paradise island bar has been a magnet for everyone from Princess Margaret to Bowie, Jagger and the Middletons - so don't expect an early night.
5. Papa Zouk's, Antigua
A classic Caribbean rum shop, Papa Zouk's is considered a portal to the Old Days of the West Indies, still playing the same zouk. Rebuilt after a huge fire destroyed the bar back in 2014, this bar boasts over 250 varieties and vintages of rum from around the Caribbean and the world.
We recommend their famous ‘Ti' Punch’ - and if you're in need of fuel, follow it up with a whole grilled snapper or a lobster.
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Introducing Andrew - our new Retail & Operations Manager and the guy keeping the Saint Luke chaos somewhat under control. We hit him with some rapid-fire questions to see if he's really about that SL life.
Welcome to volume 3 of Saint Luke Picks - where we shine a light on the real gems of Barbados. This time, we're in Oistins on the south of the island, with Suzette from Angels Cafeteria & Seafood Grill, serving up some of the best local flavours with a whole lot of heart.
Episode Four of The Island Diaries is here. Join Niall and the crew for a solid day of surf at Tropicana of the West Coast of Barbados. Niall gets caught by a wave and takes a hit but pushes through.
Crispin
August 09, 2019
Love these rum shacks – the ones I know. I BET the Bomba Shack in Tortola would have made the list too – magical spot – sadly the old boy wasn’t allowed to put it back up after the last hurricane. Sad times.