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Anguilla's True Beach Bars

 
 

By: Kristin Bourne

There are plenty of choices in Anguilla for a laid back and pretty place to get a refreshing drink. A few hours at an Anguilla hotel bar and/or a restaurant bar is often just what the vacation doctor ordered.

However, if we exclude those and are to talk about a type of bar that Anguilla is famous for, its laid back "beach bars", there are still many to choose from.

So how do we define a beach bar? An official business that plays music, is on or within inches of sandy beach and serves at least a cold bottle of beer, if not a full-fledged frozen drink. It doesn't have to necessarily be a lunch or dinner destination.

In Anguilla, this definition is almost 100% likely to include a friendly personality of the person working the bar and a tall dose of turquoise water to gaze at.

Until more open (and we've heard of another new spot opening soon!), here's our list of "true" Anguilla Beach Bars...

Note: If you agree with our choices and definition, or if you disagree, leave a comment on the page by clicking here. :-)

The Sunshine Shack

The Sunshine Shack
Anguilla beach bars, The Sunshine Shack, Garvey's

Location: Rendezvous Bay

Don't leave without talking to: Garvey

What Garvey will tell you to have: he'll tell you what most people order... the BBC or the Island Cream Dream. He'll also tell you that he used to be the mixologist at the beach bar at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, known for their Frozen Mojito

What you should have: the BBC or the Island Cream Dream

Music: Reggae (Gregory Isaacs, Bob Marley) comes from the speakers. Garvey himself chimes in every now and then

Who's there: boaters, tourists (many who are staying on Rendezvous Bay since they can walk!), a few locals

Best time to be there: from noon until late afternoon

A unique point about The Sunshine Shack: unlike every other Anguilla Beach Bar listed, every step you take here will be in the sand... there's no way to avoid it :-)

More on the Sunshine Shack

The Sunshine Shack
Anguilla beach bars, The Sunshine Shack, Garvey's

 

Elvis' Beach Bar

An Anguilla sunset from Elvis' Beach Bar
Anguilla beach bars, Elvis' Beach Bar

Location: Sandy Ground

Don't leave without talking to: Elvis

What Elvis will tell you to have: a shot of Mamawanna

What you should have: Pina Colada or beer

Music: Varies from Reggae, Soca, Pop, Hits of the 90's and 00's for house music or from a DJ. Elvis' will occasionally have live music, typically announced in advance.

Who's there: on a busy night, a mix of tourists and locals

Best time to be there: sunset and after

A unique point about Elvis' Beach Bar: many of the celebrities visiting Anguilla make their way here.

More on Elvis'

Elvis' during the day
Anguilla beach bars, Elvis' Beach Bar

 

The Dune Preserve

The Dune Preserve at night
Anguilla beach bars, The Dune Preserve, Bankie Banx

Location: Rendezvous Bay

Don't leave without talking to: Bankie

What Bankie will tell you to have: depends on his mood... he may suggest you sip a Blue Label with him, or that you should have whatever you like, otherwise perhaps a Duneshine.

What you should have: a Duneshine. (Note: the beer selection is more limited at The Dune)

Music: Bankie Banx tunes over the speakers (if he's not performing live), some Reggae, including a few from his son, Omari Banks

Who's there: mostly tourists and a few locals from time to time

Best time to be there: afternoon until...

A unique point about The Dune Preserve: it is owned by one of Anguilla's first recording and touring musicians

More on The Dune Preserve

The Dune Preserve early in the day Anguilla beach bars, The Dune Preserve, Bankie Banx

 

Gwen's Reggae Grill

Plenty of dancing to the Scratch Band
at Gwen's Reggae Grill
Anguilla beach bars, Gwen's Reggae Grill

Location: Shoal Bay East

Don't leave without talking to: Gwen

What Gwen will tell you to have: rum punch

What you should have: rum punch

Music: Reggae tunes if the live Scratch Band isn't playing

Who's there: mostly tourists. On Sundays, a mix of ex-pat and "snowbird locals" and tourists

Best time to be there: from 1pm

A unique point about Gwen's Reggae Grill: Gwen and her extra-potent rum punch

More on Gwen's Reggae Grill

 

Palm Grove / Nat's Place

Business cards line the walls at Palm Grove.
Be sure to add yours!
Anguilla beach bars, Palm Grove, Nat's Place

Location: Savannah Bay / Junks Hole

Don't leave without talking to: Nat

What Nat will tell you to have: the rum punch

What you should have: the rum punch

Music: the sound of the Caribbean sea and live music on Sundays

Who's there: a few tourists, an occasional local (not many of any)

Best time to be there: from noon

A unique point about Palm Grove: it is the most remote and challenging to reach beach bar (but fun and worth it)

More on Nat's

Savannah Bay from Palm Grove Anguilla beach bars, Palm Grove, Nat's Place




ARCHIVES: Gone But Not Forgotten

Dad's Bar & Grill

Dad's Bar & Grill from the beach
Anguilla beach bars dads bar and grill

Location: Sandy Ground

Don't leave without talking to: Dad

What Dad will tell you to have: Lionfish!

What you should have: Rum Punch

Music: varies from Reggae, Soca, Hip Hop, with live music several nights of the week

Who's there: at a busier time, mostly locals with a few laid back tourists

Best time to be there: sunset

A unique point about Dad's Bar & Grill Bar: it is the most local out of the beach bars on this list and the only one that serves up lionfish!

Sunset from Dad's
sunset from dads bar and grill