Treasure Beach
A thatched hut on stilts, built on a submerged sandbar 1km out to sea after owner Floyd saw it in a dream, is still Jamaica’s – and perhaps the planet’s –…
Must-see nightlife in Jamaica
Kingston
Dub Club is the house party that's become a major Kingston brand. And what a house! Set high on Jack's Hill, it looks down over the lights of the city,…
Kingston
One of Jamaica's most exciting social enterprise businesses, Deaf Can! operate this cafe to increase opportunities and visibility for Jamaica's deaf…
Negril
You’ll be joining the touristy throng at this ever-popular West End institution, but why not? Just for one evening. The drinks menu features empty-your…
Negril
Swing by this beach bar run by former Drifters singer Luddy for the terrific reggae and soul jam on Friday afternoons, or live tunes on Sunday – or enter…
Montego Bay
If you’re into big nightclubs, Pier One is the place to go in Montego Bay. It attracts a largely local crowd, dressed to impress and dancing as if their…
Negril
About as local as it gets, this friendly, dingy neighborhood dive bar is redolent with the scent of di 'erb. Nothing fancy: just cold Red Stripes and…
Kingston
'Wait,' you think as you walk through the door, 'this is just a car showroom.' True enough, but upstairs is a lovely relaxed cafe with good service,…
Ocho Rios
The big TV above the bar screens the latest football games and the outdoor terrace is perfect for a beer, a burger and a spot of people-watching on the…
Kingston
Music meets athletics at this punning sports bar owned by Usain Bolt. The atmosphere is lively, with plenty of drinks and good bar meals, and there's…
Ocho Rios
This classic Jamaican dancehall remains Ochi's liveliest scene. The most popular nights are the Sunday Sip oldies jam at the weekend, ladies’ night on…
Ocho Rios
Small but cheery modern coffee shop inside Island Village, serving excellent coffee (Blue Mountain, of course) and other hot drinks, smoothies and a host…
Kingston
Held at the Ark (also known as the Afrikan Roots & Kulcha Centre), this is a seriously good Monday roots and dub reggae night, with a regular mix of DJs…
Ocho Rios
With its prime spot on the pier, it’s little surprise that Ocean's 11 is popular with cruise-ship passengers, who knock back cocktails by the bucket…
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Negril
The home of the 'cheeseburger in paradise,' Jimmy Buffett’s sustains a spring-break vibe all year long, although it has a bit of a forlorn air on slow…
Negril
The only bona fide nightclub outside the all-inclusives, Jungle, with its tacky decor, is not the most urbane place, but the DJs definitely know what they…
Montego Bay
Proper is often packed with locals and expats returned to the motherland. It’s a friendly, occasionally raucous spot and probably the easiest bar for…
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Montego Bay
Of the three Margaritavilles in Jamaica, this one is a tourist trap by day, but as night falls, locals like to come here to dance to pounding beats loud…
Montego Bay
Blue Beat kind of feels like a collection of clichés of what a classy cocktail bar should look like (smooth metal furnishing, dim lighting, dark curtains)…
Port Antonio
Tucked inside Errol Flynn Marina, this is a good place to while away an afternoon (or evening) away from the pace of the town, at the cabana bar or at one…
Treasure Beach
Four words: draught Red Stripe beer (a rarity in Jamaica). Avoid the inexpertly mixed cocktails, but do sample the Jamaican standards that have markedly…
Treasure Beach
Sitting right on Frenchman’s Beach, Eggy’s is the place where locals and tourists alike gather to drink beer, watch the sunset and pass around torpedo…
Treasure Beach
Up a dirt road near Jake’s Hotel, the Fisherman's has an open wooden bar where everyone plays dominoes and watches cricket. There's an appealing reggae…
Kingston
This cavernous open-air bar, festooned with fishing nets, is a long-standing favorite with the older crowd for its easygoing atmosphere and good bar food …
Negril
A friendly and comfortable clifftop haunt centered on a small yet lively tiki bar, LTU is the perfect place to strike up a conversation at sunset or to…
Montego Bay
Sit in the air-conditioned hush of this cafe, the silence broken only by the click-clacking of fingers on laptop keyboards, or perch on the outdoor…
Negril
At the hotel of the same name, this is a relaxed bar for those looking to escape the beach mayhem. We particularly like the cocktails, though the Blue…
Negril
If all you want is to watch the greatest show on earth – Negril's fiery sunset – with a Red Stripe in your hand, then this friendly little place that…
Negril
Popular with locals, this place draws a late-night crowd into the wee hours, when you can swig shots of white rum and slap down dominoes with the Rastas…
Kingston
Pretty young things rub shoulders (and not just shoulders) with each other at one of Kingston’s most popular clubs. As always, don't go too early –…
Kingston
Kingston’s most exclusive club, with a smart dress code, a large dance floor and high-end liquors. Dancehall, R&B, hip-hop and regular free shots at the…
Negril
Even if you can’t afford to stay at Caves, you can still join sunset cocktails at its classy bar on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when it's open to the public.
Kingston
Home to the famous Stone Love music studios, and host to the ever-popular Weddy Weddy Wednesday club night.
Kingston
Shopping plaza that turns club venue to host the Uptown Mondays dancehall night.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Ocho Rios
This corporate franchise has turned getting drunk into big business. The music is loud and the signature margaritas don’t come cheap, but many tourists…
Manchester Arms Pub & Restaurant
Jamaica
The Manchester Arms goes all out to give you that pub-in-the-midst-of-Jamaica feeling, an effort that’s vaguely successful. The broad menu encapsulates…
Montego Bay
Trapped on Doctor’s Cave Beach (you pay to enter), your only drinking and eating option is the Sand Bar. The food – burgers, seafood and such – is…
Kingston, Blue Mountains & the Southeast Coast
This is a funky watering hole drawing locals who wash in and out and overindulge in white rum. It has tremendous character on Friday night when a mountain…
Kingston
Popular New Kingston sports bar that's good for inexpensive drinks (and free drinks promotions), decent food off the grill, followed by a loud music mix…
Port Antonio
This is Port Antonio’s infamous hang-loose, reggae and dancehall bar, where the tunes are loud and you’re fair game for any stranger who wants to try to…
