What makes a great beach bar?
 

Just wondering what is the PERFECT beach bar. Is it a jumping, crowded scene with lots of like-minded people enjoying happy hour specials (topless women drink free!) in the sun and sand? Or is it a laid back, low-key vibe, away from the crowds with a simple cold beer and low volume Marley in the background? Must admit the former is not my cup of Kalik, but open to debate - and recommendations on both.

Cheap drinks and good looking men.

My perfect beach bar is your second description only in my hand would be a margarita or painkiller :) good location and beachy, fun decor/ambience are also important IMO.

perfect beach bar: soggy dollar. you swim to the beach it's on from your boat. laid back but always fun to be had.

I second Soggy Dollar -it was the first one that came to my mind :)

I third Soggy Dollar

On a beautiful beach, undiscovered enough to still have cheap drinks, but discovered enough to not be there alone. Friendly bartender, lots of locals hanging out, good limin' music on the stereo.

Sunshine's on Nevis used to be that way a fifteen years or so ago. There was a little "bar" on S. Friar's in St Kitts that was little more than a shack, but they served food and a mean drink (can't remember the name of it, it's been so long and it is no longer there). Sur le Mer on Morne Rouge beach in Grenada. Hardwood Bar on Paradise beach in Carriacou (probably my all time fav).

I really liked Soggy Dollar, but it seemed really commercial and crowded the days I have been there (serve a mean breakfast though!). We loved Gertrudes, One Love and Ivan's.

Reggae Beach Bar or Lion Rock, both on Cockleshell Beach, St Kitts ticks all my boxes

I LOVED the Soggy Dollar Bar! Hubby and I were there in November, 2008. So much fun!

I like your latter description and White Bay, Jost Van Dyke is the perfect fit. The Soggy Dollar and Seddy's One Love are both great spots! We never miss a day trip to Jost when we go to St John.

My definition of the quintessential beach bar is one that located on a fine stretch of beach, just far enough back for great people watching strolling the beach and close enough for a quick dip. The basics are there...rum, cold beer and a blender with a bartender native of his or her island. A boom box is the source of music with requests welcomed. They may serve food, they may not...the drinks and service is what is important. Little or no commercialism!

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med.../7b/negril.jpg

This is my favorite, although there a few who know about it other than those of us who go to Negril. Negril has the best beach bars in the entire Caribbean, in my opinion. Simple, basic with that island vibe we all desire in our island getaways!

Soggy Dollar is great, don't get me wrong...but even on the remote island of JVD, it is a little overhyped in my opinion.

CS- OMG! That picture looks identical to Max's Conch Bar in Long Island (I think you saw my pics)! Too funny!!! (although Max's is far from the beach :) We were at Soggy Dollar in Sept, and there were only 2 other people there while we were there. It was great. I'd have to say, Parrots in the Caribbean in Long Island was pretty nice too-fits your description of your favorite beach bar, minus any other people (oh, wait. That's Long Island in general!)

My perfect beach bar would have a mix of locals and like-minded travelers, surrounded by plenty of natural shade and lush vegetation, pouring a mean rum punch that tastes like the Killer Bee from Nevis, or perhaps the Bushwhacker from Virgin Gorda.
Food helps.

Then again, one of my favorite beach bar experiences wasn't even on the beach--it was offshore! I still think back fondly of this place, about 1/4 mile off the coast from Black River, Jamaica:

http://booksmarttours.com/wordpress/...pelicanbar.jpg

Soggy Dollar mon'

ej, that is a beautiful shot of the Pelican Bar!

Kelly,
Yes, I most certainly saw your recent photos...they were so great! I'll put Max's on my "must see" list for sure! I hope you and your family have a great Easter.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/282...28562117RCybNa

Seddy's One Love has a nice looking menu now. We were going to try it last time but ended up at Foxy's Taboo. If The Soggy Dollar is too busy, Seddy's is a great alternative.

Friendly staff
Varied drink menu with tropical drinks, martinis, shots
Reasonable prices so you can stay for a while
Fun music for the over 35 crowd - no rap or techno
Live music at times
Fun crowd
Enough seating for everyone

I personally don't like to go to packed places, so the ones that are the "flavor of the month" don't appeal to me. I like ones that have the above things but still have that small bar vibe to them. Being outside on the beach is an added plus!

Ditto CaribbeanSoul's description of the quintessential beach bar.

I love the small, local places that are undiscovered or overlooked in the travel guides.

ejcrowe, I love the pic of Pelican Bar. Perfect!

CaribbeanSoul...
Is that Mom's Bar in Negril?
I think that's the name of it...
But yes, that place in Negril is AMAZING!!!
Spent quite a few nights there, just hanging out listening to the ocean...great place!!!

chgeeb-
that is the bar in front of the For Real Resort adjacent to Coco La Palm. I have been to Mom's, as well...but it looks quite a bit different from the For Real Bar.