Nightlife in Jamaica

If you’re planning a holiday to Jamaica it’s time to get into the rhythm of this wonderful country by experiencing the nightlife. During the day the bars are relaxing places to eat and drink, while at night the sunloungers are packed up and the reggae bands come out to play. If you just want to cosy up with a rum cocktail and some great music, there are plenty of venues to choose from. Negril is particularly famous for its reggae music, attracting musicians from all over the country. And it’s along the stunning Seven Mile Beach that you’ll discover a thriving scene of live music bars.

In the ocean at Floyd's Pelican Bar, Negril

You’ll need to take a boat out to reach this ramshackle bar that sits on stilts in a shallow bit of the ocean. Made of what looks like driftwood, this bar is a real find, with many tourists heading here to experience its authenticity. Whether you just want to hang your feet over the edge with a Red Stripe, or fancy a game of dominoes overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this is a great place to do it.

Famous patrons at Pirates Cave Bar and Restaurant, Negril

This remarkable venue located in Negril’s West End can boast multiple film acclaim. It was first made famous by Steve McQueen who jumped off the cliff in the film ‘Papillion’, in a scene where he’s trying to escape prison. Carved out of a 30-foot tall sea cliff this bar remains popular with cliff divers – who call it ‘McQueen Off The Rocks’. Pirates Cave also features in 1954 film ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’.

Waterslides and cocktails at Margaritavilla, Montego Bay

Many of the venues across Jamaica are restaurants and bars by day, then by night live music or DJs are thrown in the mix. Margaritavilla is no exception. This is one of the most well-known places on the island, owned by famous American musician Jimmy Buffett.

During the day they serve food, but at night it becomes an exciting nightclub with house DJs spinning the decks. They even boast a 120-foot waterslide that winds its way directly into the Caribbean Sea. You might need a longer holiday to sample all 52 styles of Margarita cocktails they serve.

Chilled reggae at Pier 1, Montego Bay

Jamaica holidays aren’t complete without a little bit of reggae. If you fancy kicking back and feeling the Caribbean vibe in a more chilled way, head to Pier 1, located near the water’s edge in Montego Bay. By day it’s a seafood restaurant, by night it’s a bar with a good smattering of live reggae and jazz music. In fact the stages at this venue are used during Jamaica’s most famous music festival, Reggae Sumfest, which is held in July. It’s also host to the area’s Dancehall Queen competition to crown the hottest female dancer.

Local beers at Ocean's 11, Ocho Rios

This is a slightly ramshackle venue in a nice location overlooking Ocho Rios harbour. It’s a chilled bar and nightclub and is popular with locals as well as tourists. Get dressed up for its most popular evening – karaoke night, though it’s fun nightclub, too. They also serve food, rum cocktails and popular local beers.