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Antigua offers a payload of entertainment during the evenings. Nightlife in Antigua is highly varied and has something to offer everyone. From April to November, visitors can count on steel bands, calypso singers, limbo dancers, and an occasional fire-eater as entertainment. |
One can even liven up their dancing spirits by shaking a leg at various discotheques on the island. The various hotspots are Dickenson Bay , Jolly Harbour , English Harbour , & downtown St. John's.
Local live music covering Calypso, Reggae, Jazz, & Folk have been the major source of entertainment. Most of the big hotels provide dancing, calypso, steel bands, limbo dancers, and moonlight barbeques. The nightclubs and discotheques are swarmed with guests for a lively evening. English Harbour is considered to be the most happening place for a night out. There are 2 nightclubs and discotheques in the island apart from the various discos owned by hotels. Rum shops are another feature of Antiguan nightlife. A moonlight cruise is another getaway for a marvelous serene evening and several charter boat agencies offer evening cruises with food & drink.
Live Music
Most resort hotels offer evening entertainment, which might range from a Caribbean night with traditional music and dance, to local performers singing the latest reggae or soca tunes. You'll also find a fun nightlife atmosphere at these bars which frequently feature live music.
1:Abracadabra Bar and Restaurant. English Harbour, 268-460-1732. This local hot-spot has it all: dancing, sports, piano bar, live music; a great place to spend an evening.
2: Big Banana, Historic Redcliffe Quay, St. John's, 268-480-6985. Live music twice a week and a great selection of CDs for the other five nights of the week, along with great food.
3: Coconut Grove Beach Restaurant, Dickenson Bay, 268-462-1538. This beachside bar has a great menu and live music on the weekends.
4: Millers By The Sea, Fort James, St. John's, 268-462-9414. Each night of the week comes with a different style of live music. Be sure to stop by on Sundays for Caribbean Night.
5: O'Grady's Pub, Redcliffe Street, St. John's, 268-462-5392. A local favorite, the pub combines their impressive menu with live music on Wednesday nights.
Dancing
If you like discos & dancing, there are only a few places to go but The best thing about the discos on Antigua is that they are virtually smoke free - not because people don't smoke, but because the venues are usually not enclosed by walls and a roof! The only real disco/club type of place is the "Ribbit Night Club" on the southern shore of St. John's Bay, a five minute drive from the city centre. Loud music, often with a local flavour, late opening Entry is about EC$20.
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Drinking There are a number of very nice and very different bars. For a stark contrast, try Putters on the end of the road that leads East from Dickenson Bay. Outside seating only, cocktail selection limited, but "usual" drinks flow freely and they have an attached mini golf course. They do a little food (French fries, burgers, sometimes barbecue), and they also have a small dance floor and a rather good selection of music. Putters is open every day, all year round. |
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Casinos
Casino gambling is a popular nightlife activity; there are several casinos to choose from in Antigua. They are, by casino standards, fairly small and casual.
1: Joe Mike's Downtown Hotel Plaza, St. John's, 268-462-1142/3244. Slot machines, table games and a good restaurant and bar with live music make this a favorite stop for visitors.
2: King's Casino, St. John's, 268-462-1727. Not only does this casino holds the record for the largest casino on the island, but also boasts the largest slot machine in the world.
3: St. James's Club Casino, St. James's Club, 268-460-5000. Table games and slot machines are available to visitors at this newly renovated casino.
