7 Must-Do Beach Bars in Anguilla (in 2023)

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If you’re a beach bum like me, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with the Caribbean island of Anguilla.

Not only does it lay claim to 33 different stretches of sand, but most of them boast at least one great beach bar. Some more than one!

That’s why narrowing the choice of watering holes down to the best beach bars in Anguilla may be a task worthy of Hercules.

But I’m nothing if not committed.

As a sailor and a travel writer specializing in the region, I’ve been to (and written about) 40 or more Caribbean islands, scouting out the very best beach bars and parties along the way.

I’ve sipped the potent Goombay Smash at the Junkanoo carnival in Nassau, Bahamas, floated my way to Lime-Out (a cocktail barge) in the U.S. Virgin Islands and downed rum punches at sunset at the Shirley Heights Party in Antigua.

Still not convinced of my commitment to help you discover your own must-do Anguilla beach bar?

I even christened my first sailboat the “Soggy Dollar” after a beach bar of the same name on the British Virgin Islands. Sampling the bar’s famous Painkiller cocktail is one of the top things to do in BVI.

Given the wealth of beach bars that Anguilla lays claim to, it’s hardly surprising that I’ve got a soft spot for this Caribbean paradise.

So allow me to introduce you to my favourite beach bars in Anguilla. The ones you just shouldn’t miss on a visit to this beautiful island.

1. Elvis’ Beach Bar

This casual watering hole is located at Sandy Ground on Road Bay (Google Map), one of the island’s most popular anchorages. I first discovered it after anchoring here years ago.

Elvis’ Beach Bar boasts a bar constructed from the hull of a traditional Anguillian sailboat, snugged in the sand beneath a corrugated tin roof sheltering rafters festooned with a wardrobe of baseball caps and T-shirts.

Featured on the TravelChannel and rated the best Caribbean beach bar by USA Today in 2022, Elvis’ enthusiastically qualifies as a must-do Anguilla beach bar.

It’s definitely one of my Anguillian favourites.

It’s a great place to while away an afternoon, while come sunset you might share the
admittedly rudimentary dance floor with any number of celebrities. (Paris Hilton’s reputedly a regular here).

Looking for a sports bar on Anguilla? Visit on game night and catch your favourite team thanks to the bar’s big screen and projector near the water’s edge.

Come at sunset or full moon and take the late night party up a notch: Elvis’ hosts popular Full Moon Parties. Check the Elvis’ Facebook Page for an event schedule.

🌟 Insider Tip: Try the nachos on their chow menu if you’re hungry. They’re widely considered the best on the island. Pair them with the bar’s fabulous margaritas.

2. Johnno’s Beach Stop

Mere steps down the beach from Elvis’ Beach Bar in Sandy Ground, Johnno’s Beach Stop, the creation of Johnno Edwards, has been around since the 1980’s. 

Hunkered down in the shade of blowing trees (Google Map), Johnno’s offers sheltered seating “inside”, several white picnic tables on the sand and a rainbow of umbrellas guarding beach chairs closer to the water. 

Simply constructed, Johnno’s is a bit more substantial than neighbouring Elvis’, with an open second floor decorated by a trellis made from driftwood.

Downstairs, lime-painted uprights support a whitewashed wooden roof populated by a couple of big ceiling fans. They’ll be sure to cool you down when the music heats up.

Music is a feature of this must-do Anguilla beach bar. The Sunday afternoon jazz sessions draws patrons from right across the island.

But there’s never a bad time to visit Johnno’s.

🌟 Insider Tip: Johnno’s is also a great place for traditional Caribbean food like rice and peas and fungi. Their whole steamed snapper is a popular entrée.

3. Waves Beach Bar

The third top Anguilla beach bar at Sandy Ground has a fun backstory.

Waves Beach Bar used to be located beachside on Meads Bay next to the Four Seasons Resort. Then the rent got too steep for owner Olivia Garlick, an English ex-pat who’s “a long way from home and happy about it.”

So she got a crew together and physically transplanted the entire bar to its current location at the far end of Road Bay. It’s right beside the water, lounging at the bottom of a cliff overlooking the bay.

It features white and blue trim, a small covered section and a smattering of beach chairs on one of the most private sections of the beach.

The unique resin bar top is the first of its kind on Anguilla. That’s probably because Olivia’s sister runs an art gallery in Shoal Bay.

Though it’s tricky to reach (down a rutted dirt road) and minimalist, Waves has a great vibe. It’s hugely popular with sailors, ex-pats, tourists and locals. 

🌟 Insider Tip: Their signature drink is rum punch. “We do rum punch by the jug,” says Garlick, who, by her own admission is “chef, bartender and owner.” Try it. You won’t be sorry.

4. Garvey’s SunShine Shack

When I ask Anguillians for suggestions, one establishment is regularly mentioned as the best Anguilla beach bar.

That’s why, even though it’s hidden at the end of another rather sketchy road, we make our way to Garvey’s SunShine Shack (Google Map).

Worth the bumpy ride.

Hard to choose what’s more appealing – the quirky vibe of this Rasta-influenced reggae establishment (you can feel the bass groove from the pumped-in reggae in the pit of your stomach) or its location on Rendezvous Bay.

Along with the live music, think million-dollar views of turquoise waters dotted by mega yachts for foreground. Gorgeous blue-grey mountains of St. Martin for background.

But when it comes to vibrant colours this place won’t take back seat to any landscape.

Look for the battalion of blowing flags hovering over an octagonal bar. Look for the hand-painted signs populating the place.

Check out the kaleidoscope of fluttering beach umbrellas. Then inhale the aromas wafting on smoke emanating from the big barbecues.

Order a drink then write your name on the bar front or check out the collection of license plates decorating the kitchen.

Have a swim off in the clear water of Anguilla’s most-scenic beach, then order another drink.

🌟 Insider Tip: Their signature drink is Garvey’s Island Cream Dream. Check out their menu and cocktail list at SunShine Shack.

5. The Dune Preserve

Just down the beach from Sunshine Shack you’ll find another top Anguilla beach bar (Google Map). But this is no ordinary beach bar.

That’s evident from the moment you enter.

Built from driftwood and seashells and various kitsch and bric-a-brac (including repurposed sailboat hulls doing double duty as a bar and a roof), the Dune Preserve Beach Bar features four or five different levels. Each level is situated right next to one of Anguilla’s most scenic beaches. 

When it comes to design and décor, think Antoni Gaudí meets Bob Marley.

The latter reference is no accident.

This watering hole is the love child of international reggae star Bankie Banx and weekends bring almost non-stop live reggae. Sometimes there are even performances by Bankie himself or Omari Banx, his talented son .

Come during a winter full moon and be part of Moonsplash, a multi-day music festival that’s one of Anguilla’s most popular celebrations.

Still not convinced?

Come anytime and you’re part of history.

🌟 Insider Tip: If you come on the weekend you might be able to indulge in Carmen’s pop-up buffet. It features traditional island cuisine such as stewed pigeon peas and fried plantain. Wash it down with their famous (or infamous) Duneshine.

6. Savi Beach Club

Savi Beach Club is as different from the other entries here as day is from night. Anguilla’s newest beach establishment, it’s nothing short of elegant.

One Anguillian told me that this place was like a St. Bart’s beach bar say Nikki Beach or Le Ti. Or, swanky Carambola Beach Club on St. Kitts.

Right from the beginning you get that. A polished stone façade graces the entrance, hard by a gorgeous reflecting pool. 

According to proprietor, Eduardo Balon, “we are not only a beach club, we are the beach club.”

That’s partly due to the design thanks to Christopher and Katherine Garner. They’ve created an oasis (including marble bar top) that could hold its own on the French Riviera.

This might be by design. It’s on Meads Bay just down the beach (Google Map) from Malliouhana and right beside Four Seasons Resort & Residences, both of which are among Anguilla’s premier luxury resorts.

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If you come late in the afternoon make sure to stay for dinner. It’s one of the best restaurants in Anguilla.

“Our chefs combine two of the world’s best cuisines,” says Balon, pointing to the open kitchen. “Japanese and Italian.”

🌟 Insider Tip: This place boasts no less than seven handcrafted designer cocktails, exotic takes on classic libations. Not to worry – you can still get a cold beer.

Meads Bay is one of the best bets if you’re looking for a Caribbean beach without sargassum seaweed.

7. Prickly Pear Bar and Restaurant

Now we’re on the subject of food, our final must-do Anguilla beach bar (and restaurant) is just as worthy for its great menu as it is for cocktails and ambiance.

It’s admittedly more than just a beach bar since it’s located on a delightful duet of islands a few kilometres across the water from Anguilla proper.

That means you’re talking excursion rather than a couple of cool ones after lunch.

But it’s worth the trip. It’s included as part of a Half-Day Boating Excursion of sailing and snorkeling on “Tradition” a wooden sailing sloop.

Or you can just hitch a ride on the boat shuttle from Sandy Ground.

Back to the food: best grilled lobster I’ve ever tasted.

Beach isn’t too shabby either. It’s one of my favourite beaches in Anguilla.

Stop at the main building for lunch or a cocktail or just stroll over to the thatched-roof structure right in the sand and grab yourself a killer rum punch.

Leaving this spot off a bucket list of things to do in Anguilla would be like skipping the Eiffel Tower on a list of things to do in Paris.

🌟 Insider Tip: If you like the laidback vibe of Anguilla’s outer islands, be sure to check out Scilly Cay and Sandy Island.

Gwen’s Reggae Grill – Honorable Mention

Another top beach bar in Anguilla is Gwen’s Reggae Bar and Grill. It’s famous for its live music, signature rum punches and warm hospitality.

You’ll find it at Shoal Bay East (Google Map) near Zemi Beach House and Hanks Grill.

Planning and Getting Around

Official Tourism Board: For all things Anguilla, including a comprehensive beach guide, visit www.ivisitanguilla.com

Some of the beach bars in Anguilla are walking distance from resorts and hotels. But for others, you’ll need to rent a car.

We rent our cars on Discovercars.com. It’s an online car rental booking site that compares rates from several companies to find the best deal.

Check for the best car rental rates at Discovercars.com

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