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Barbados is fun by day, but its nightlife is one of the most vibrant and varied in the Caribbean. Steel pan, tuk band, soca, reggae and jazz; Dixieland, opera, big band, piano pizzazz. But it's not only music that makes the island heat up after dark, there are sports bars, cool cocktail lounges, chic wine bars and discos to dance the night away. Here are a few favourites from Barbados aficionados... |
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1. | Bajan Roots & Rhythms Show - Live entertainment in the form of fire-eaters, flaming limbo, showgirls, stilt walkers, with the history of Barbados woven into the spectacle, plus a steel-pan orchestra that gets you groovin'. Not to mention a Bajan buffet and free drinks. Top rated by Zagat! www.theplantation.bb |
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| 2. | Harbour Lights -The open-air beachfront club offers all of the extravaganza plus the perk of dancing with sand between your toes. Local and international musicians, themed nights and oddities such a breakdancing green monkey and a loose-limbed shaggy bear add to the exotic flavor, rated Most Popular by Zagat.
www.harbourlightsbarbados.com |
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| 3. | Waterfront Café - tucked in a corner of the Careenage (marina) in historic Bridgetown, this graceful, laidback boîte has stood the test of time. Dinner and jazz on Friday night is a favourite, with the twinkling lights of the boats in the harbor seeming to sway in syncopation. The Big Band Dixieland on Thursdays is a treat. www.waterfrontcafe.com.bb |
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| 4. | Lord Willoughby's Tavern - traditional English pub grub is the fare but the best parts: sports fans can catch the game on one of the large screen TVs while playing pool, some nights offer live entertainment, the looooong bar (34 feet, no less) is well stocked--and it's open 24 hours a day. |
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| 5. | Lexy Piano Bar & Cabaret in Holetown. A former Broadway denizen from the cast of Les Miserables is bringing in first-class performers with a wide repertoire to wow locals and visitors alike late into the night. |
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| 6. | St. Lawrence Gap is the island's hotbed of hotspots so you're bound to find the scene you're looking for. A Mexican oasis in the center: Café Sol --earned its rep serving up amazing Margaritas rimmed with Bajan sugar instead of salt, delicious shrimp nachos, and Fiesta Fridays--a frenzy of piñata-popping pleasure. At the other end of the spectrum is sleek, sultry and sophisticated Pravda lounge, offering a cosmopolitan menu of cocktails and chic décor. |
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| 7. | McBride's Irish Pub - It may be an authentic Irish pub by day complete with stained glass and liquor barrels, but after dark it turns into a late night party. Dancing into the wee hours on various nights to reggae, rock, Latin Caribbean, Irish (of course), or "back in time" themes.
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| 8. | Limelight Café - Live bands featuring Rock, R&B, reggae, and pop play nightly with the glittering lights of historic Bridgetown and the harbor as a backdrop. www.limelightcafebarbados.com |
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| 9. | Scarlet - The crimson exterior in Paynes Bay signals a retro-inspired vibe with iconic figures such as Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O gracing the walls. An eclectic roster of cocktails and tapas are served in an atmosphere more urban chic than islandy. Ideal for the trendy after-midnight bite. |
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| 10. | Club Xtreme www.clubxtreme.net - THE place for party animals craving state-of the-art sound. A cavernous 10,000 sq. feet, with stainless steel sculptures and synchronized lighting. Be prepared to dance all night! |
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Whisper: R&B superstar and Bajan beauty Rihanna says she misses her fave club, The Boatyard, when she's traveling the world on tour. www.theboatyard.com |
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