Best Beaches & Bars In Barbados

Ju Ju's

Named after the eponymous beach on which it's situated, Ju Ju's is on the west coast, and is well known for its delicious locally caught grilled fish and home-made fries. You can rent beach umbrellas and loungers from the bar, and if you fancy indulging in some water sports, ask at Ju Ju's and they'll get you sorted with the water sports people on the beach.

Ju Ju's is a big favourite with the locals, and so it can get mighty crowded in a brilliant the-gang's-all-here-let's-have-an-instant-party sort of way, so expect plenty of good company when you settle down for your sundowner.

Hwy 1B, Mount Standfast
+1 246 268 6093

Carib Beach Bar

'The Carib' overlooks lovely Worthing Beach which, at low tide, reveals a stretch of reef and an amazing natural lagoon – providing the Carib with particularly attractive and changing views at all times of the day. The bar has a salty, sun-bleached feel that can only come from having been around for absolutely ages – and it's a great gathering place for locals, who pride themselves on making visitors welcome.

The restaurant is in the shade of coconut trees, and the food is great, with a big emphasis on local food. Friday night conjures up live music and dancing, and Sunday lunchtimes are particularly popular with families.

2nd Ave, The Stream, BB 15010 Worthing, Christ Church
+1 246 435 8540

Copacabana Beach Bar & Grill

Brownes Beach is on the outskirts of Bridgetown – and Copacabana is a must-visit if you like good times and great music! The resident DJ knows the best calypso, reggae and R&B to loosen you up – and you're cordially invited to submit requests for your favourite tune.

Overlooking Carlisle Bay, it offers great casual dining all day, and is a hot nightspot when the sun goes down, with an amazing two thousand capacity. It's also got beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, easy parking, changing facilities and lockers – so you could easily spend most of your island time right here.

Lower Bay Street, Bridgetown
+1 246-622-1910

Il Tempio

On the beach at Fitts Village, in the parish of St. James, Il Tempio is a bright, colourful and laid-back venue that offers superb beach drinking and dining- plus it's also available for weddings and private functions, should you wish to plan a special event whilst you're in Barbados.

As well as all the usual rums and beers, the cocktail menu is particularly admirable, and the bar has one of the better wine lists on the island.

Fitts Village, St. James, BB00000 Bridgetown
+1 246 417 0057

Fisherman's Pub

If you want a truly ethnic, authentic, local no-fuss bar, Fisherman's Pub and Grub is absolutely for you.

Serving straight-down-the-line local food and cold beers in a rum shop-cum-restaurant, the vinyl floral table-cloths, plastic chairs and family atmosphere are a perfect contrast to the more upmarket and pukka eateries you're likely to come across in Barbados – and whilst this is not exactly a beach bar (it's next to the Speightstown fish market on Queen Street) it has all the ambience of the perfect beach venue, so it definitely deserves mention! Insist on trying their very own Rum Punch, made with fresh squeezed limes from the owner's garden, and sprinkled with grated nutmeg.

Surfside

Bleached, weather-tanned and totally relaxed (like all good surfers should be), this sunny, salty pub has an unfussy décor, furnishing and surroundings that bespeak priorities of good food, great drink and memorable times!

Secreted behind Holetown's Post Office and Police Station building (not far from the Holetown monument), Surfside is in poll position on Paynes Bay - and if you're here for the day, enjoy Surfside's big breakfasts from 9am onwards. Lunch and evening meals are equally casual and filling – and if you like sports, you're welcomed to join the locals in front of the big screen for those all-important sporting events.

Weisers on the Bay

This heavenly hang-out is at Brandon's Beach, off the Spring Garden Highway in the parish of St. Michael – and it's a top venue for local dishes, with Sunday buffet the big event (from noon to 3pm).

Check out dishes like sweet potato pie, vegetable rice, scallop potatoes and flying fish, as perennial favourites on the menu. Friday nights are especially good here, with the atmosphere pumping out pure party-time fun from 6pm - 11pm.