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By: Kirmani Honore
In Anguilla, the choices are endless when searching for a cozy, laid-back place to grab a cold one. On a hot summery day, a few hours at your favorite Anguilla hotel bar and/or restaurant might just be what the doctor ordered.
But what makes a bar a true beach bar? On an Island teeming with waterfront restaurants, lofty lounges and bustling bars, what sets a "true" beach bar apart from the rest of the crowd?
The Anguilla Rum Punch is a Must at any Anguilla Beach Bar
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite bars that we think represent the definition of a bonafide beach bar. And for this list we define a beach bar by these qualities:
1. First, of course is that it’s located only a stone’s throw away from the sea - ideally on the beach itself.
2. It’s primarily open during lunch hours.
3. There are frequent live events.
4. And last but certainly not least, it's a place where you can get a cold beer or a frozen margarita... If you're into the sweet & sour.
And a special nod to those that have beach chairs and umbrellas available to patrons.
In Anguilla, this definition is likely to include light-hearted bartenders and patrons alike and a lighter atmosphere. Think sandy feet and sandals.
So in no particular order here is our list of The Top True Beach Bars in Anguilla .
Starting in Sandy Ground we have one of the most talked about beach bars. Easily one of the most recommended beach bars on island is Elvis' Beach Bar.
Co-owned by Brett & Elvis, himself, Elvis' Beach Bar merges American styled sports bar culture with some Anguilla beach charm.
Elvis' Beach Bar on Sandy Ground
Elvis' Beach Bar has had a long run on the shores of Sandy Ground, with many locals, expats, boaters and tourists alike all forming unforgettably warm memories over an ice cold beer.
The bar famously hosts the Super Bowl and World Cup games as well as many other highly sought after pay-per-view sporting events.
Click 'play' below for a video experience at Elvis'...
Open for lunch and well into the night, Elvis' is one of Anguilla’s standard go-to for a true Anguilla beach bar experience.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available but might be hard to score during high traffic. So plan accordingly.
Click here for more on Elvis Beach Bar.
Location: Rendezvous Bay
What you should have: The classic Duneshine or Pain Killer.
Music: Live Reggae, Jazz and original musical acts.
Best time to be there: Sundays in the afternoon from 4PM.
Owned by local musical legend Bankie Banx, this passion project has grown into one of the backbones and epicentres of live entertainment in Anguilla.
With the popular musical festival Moonsplash hosted here annually, The Dune Preserve is one of Anguilla’s truest and most well-known beach bars. Moonsplash is an annual music festival that should not be missed...
Everyone has performed here: John Mayer, Inner Circle, Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure, Omari Banks. The list is endless.
Click 'play' on the video below to see Moonsplash 2026...
The Dune is no secret to celebrities, everyone has been a patron here, from Paris Hilton, Justin Bieber, Madonna, you name the celebrity, and Bankie has a story for you!
On calmer days during the week, you’re able to explore The Dune Preserve’s cozy, tree-house bungalow design enjoying that evening's cool, musical acts.
Breathtaking Views of St. Martin from The Dune Preserve
Sunday afternoons are popular here since Bankie hosts his weekly Sunday School - a musical line up of local reggae acts that include artists like Omari Banks, The Smokey Fingers, Aim and many others.
Click here for more on The Dune Preserve.
Location: Rendezvous Bay
What you should have: The BBC, Rum Punch or the Cream Dream.
Music: Mostly Jazz & Reggae, musical acts by Omari Banks and Connis.
Best time to be there: Sundays at noon.
This bar is with no-doubt one of Anguilla’s most true, and bluest bars. Located entirely on the sandy shores of Rendezvous Bay, Sunshine Shack and its owner Garvey, are beloved for its classic fun-in-the-sun, friendly, lunch hour atmosphere.
On Sunday, live reggae musicals are combined with freshly caught lobster and crayfish, perfectly grilled and available with a variety of tasty sides.
Many guests say that this is one of the most unforgettable beach bar experiences on island.
Click 'play' on the video below for a beach day at Sunshine Shack...
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available but might be hard to score during high traffic. So plan accordingly.
Click here for more on Sunshine Shack.
Location: Shoal Bay East
What you should have: We recommend their famous Rum Punch!
Music: Local live bands.
Best time to be there: Sundays at noon.
Famous for their refreshing twist on the classic Anguilla Rum Punch, Elodias checks all the boxes that make a bar, a true Anguilla beach bar.
Elodias is open for lunch and hosts occasional live music on Sunday afternoons. Its beach front location are footsteps away from the iconic powdery white sands of Shoal Bay East and that makes it a popular stop for snorkelers.
The Popular Elodias Rum Punch
Elodias is well known for its hearty lunch menu. It’s loved by locals and visitors alike, many of which stay along the shoreline at neighbouring hotels like The Manoah and Zemi Beach House.
Click here for more on Elodias.
Location: Shoal Bay
What you should have: We recommend the Mudslide or the Spicy Margarita.
Music: Occasional local DJs.
Best time to be there: Mondays at noon.
Next on our list is another Shoal Bay favourite, Olas Taco Bar & Grill. A fairly new venue that has quickly become top representation for true Anguilla beach bar experiences.
Clad in a coconut husk canopy, Olas and its owner Eulandy merge South American, Mexican and Caribbean flavors that melt perfectly into one of Anguilla's most sought after locations.
Eulandy, Owner of Olas Taco Bar & Grill
Olas opens early around noon, and is without fail, busy by 12PM every single day. Locals and guests flock to Olas for a quick lunch break or a full day at the beach. Its light, airy atmosphere makes it a favourite for beach bums, bar hoppers and all day relaxers.
With casual live DJ sets, Mondays usually crescendo with fun dance circles and patrons mixing and mingling.
Click here for more on Olas Taco Bar & Grill.
Location: Shoal Bay
What you should have: Get the Rum Punch.
Music: Authentic live Reggae and Calypso acts as well as their premiere Scratch Band performances.
Best time to be there: Sundays around noon.
Last on our list is Gwen’s Reggae Grill. Gwen’s has carved its name into the history of Shoal Bay. After decades surviving hurricanes, storms and even relocation it's laid-back, breezy atmosphere still lay claim to the top quintessential Anguilla beach bar experience.
Eponymous with the owner, Gwen is as friendly and fun loving as the atmosphere that encapsulates her wooden gem of a bar along Shoal Bay’s more developed beach’s edge.
Gwens from the Beach
Also lending to its name, Gwen’s is known island-wide as the go-to locale for authentic live reggae and calypso musical acts. Gwen’s also garners its own music scene with its weekly scratch band performances that always pull a crowd.
Gwen's offers beach chairs and umbrellas, but might be hard to score during high traffic. So plan accordingly.
Click here for more on Gwen’s Reggae Grill.
The beach bars listed here are some of our favorites and include several of Anguilla's long-standing beach bars. They are certainly not the only ones worth discovering, so be sure to explore while you're here!
For more on Anguilla's restaurants and bars, visit our social pages dedicated to dining in Anguilla.
Click here for our Instagram page
Click here for our Facebook page
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