Caribbean Nightlife & Carnivals

Like many other islands in the Caribbean, Antigua also has its very own J'Ouvert celebration each year in July. Set your alarm for 4am to experience the street party with steel drums and dancing. Then enjoy the show as the sun rises in its hazy glory over the streets of St Johns.

You're guaranteed a good night at the Tiki Bikini Hut. This hidden treasure located on Junkanoo Beach offers the kind of Caribbean holiday atmosphere you'd expect from the Bahamas. Enjoy cheap drinks and great food but be sure to pace yourself on your night out; the most infamous special here is 3 beers and 3 shots for $10.

With a newly extended route, there's now even more opportunity to watch as masqueraders parade by during Bermudas Parade of Bands, also known as Bermuda Heroes Weekend. Running over four days in June, the event is dedicated to showcasing the islands unique cultural experiences. Expect a dedicated crowd of avid followers who return every year.

Literally floating on an old converted ferry, you're in for a good time at Calico Jack's Floating Bar. Venture aboard Bermuda's only floating bar for a dreamy experience. The ship has been decked out to rival that of Captain Jack Sparrow's vessel, complete with a plank should you wish to dive in.

The Caribbean's own version of the Copacabana, the Coco Bongo in Punta Cana is an extravagant party. This legendary nightclub offers nightly stage shows complete with dancers, acrobats and singers. Prepare to party the night away in this Vegas-style extravaganza for a truly dazzling eve.

When the sun goes down the entertainers come out in Grenada. Head to Dodgy Dock for some of the islands best live music and a true taste of Caribbean-inspired cocktails. Rated by many as the best bar in Grenada, be sure to visit on Fridays Mexi-Caribbean night for a real island party.

Known locally as Carnaval Dominicano, this vibrant celebration of culture and identity is held every Sunday in February. Expect to see Dominicans of all ages and from all regions take to the streets, at home or in neighbouring carnival cities, to enjoy parades with their families and loved ones.

Declared a national holiday to commemorate the abortion of slavery, Emancipation Day is a reason for celebration each year on the island of Tobago. Marked with street processions both morning and evening, the days events observe both religious and spiritual beliefs alongside cultural shows and performances.

Named by many as the coolest bar in the world, Floyd's Pelican Bar in Jamaica is a day-trip you simply cannot miss. Perched on stilts and made entirely from driftwood, this lively spot sits perched in the middle of the ocean, 1 mile offshore. Arrive by boat and kick-back to enjoy your experience at one of the most unique bars in the world.

Celebrate some of Grenada's finest produce at the islands chocolate festival. An ode to the islands natural resource and Grenada's sustainable chocolate-making culture, during the festival you'll have the opportunity to visit organic cocoa plantations nestled in the lush verdant Caribbean rainforest.

Join in the fun every Friday night as the fishing village of Gros Islet in St Lucia unleashes their street party. Expect food stalls frying up BBQs, buckets of beer and communal tables. Caribbean beats form the rhythm of the night, with locals parading and dancing through the village.

Step into the feathered dancing frenzy that is Jamaica's Bacchanal. Celebrating the island way of life, if you're looking for true Caribbean colour and sound, this is the place to see it. Attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year, Bacchanal is probably the only Caribbean festival that could rival that of Rio De Janeiro.

Held each July in Montego Bay, Reggae Sumfest is the largest music festival in the Caribbean, embodying Jamaican culture. With performances from Jamaican and international stars of reggae and dancehall music, over the years it has hosted talent including Rihanna, Kayne West, Lionel Ritchie and more.

With a rich musical history for a relatively small country, the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival celebrates its own authentic sound. Held on Boxing Day and New Years Day, the local music style uses brass and drum sounds mixed with piercing whistles from dancers and even the conch shells iconic trumpet blast.

Celebrated on New Years Eve every year since the 16th Century, watch as islanders take to the streets in bejewelled masks and handmade costumes. Junkanoo Jump Up on Turks and Caicos is known for its street dancing until dawn. Keep an eye out for other Junkanoo-style events, which are held throughout the islands, most often on public holidays.

Take a pub crawl to remember on the island of Aruba with Kukoo Kunuku. Held on a quirky red bus, bursting with island spirit, this wacky excursion is all about fun. The tour will take you through city streets and country roads with maracas shaking every mile along the way, in search of the perfect Caribbean party.

Complete with its very own Tiki Bar, the Prickly Bay Marina offers happy hour from 5-6pm every day of the week. Expect live tunes and a great mix of locals and tourists in residence for fabulous people-watching. Don't leave without giving their signature cocktails a whirl, will you have the Prickly Dream or the Prickly Sunset?

Self-proclaimed to be home to some of the most panoramic sunsets in the world, Rick's Cafe in Negril is one of Jamaicas best-known locations. An icon thanks to its cliff top location, thousands flock here each year to leap the 35-feet into the water and then kick back with a well-earned cocktail at its bar.

One of the island's most popular happy hours, Sandbar is ideal for a pre-dinner drink with its laid-back mood. You can even catch a spot of sport on the TV for those interested. Try their signature mojito or a French 75; the expansive cocktail bar is sure to have something up your alley, so simply name your poison.

There's something for everyone in the city of nightlife, Santiago. From rows of bars and lounges to hotel casinos and live merengue music for an evening of dancing - this city has it all. Prepare to party until the early morning but don't miss the city by day either, this historic city has plenty to offer before the moon comes out to play.

This waterfront bar and restaurant is well-known for its vibrant atmosphere. Aside from great food and cocktails you can expect dancing waiters, a live band, DJ contests, conga lines and so much more. If you're looking for a good time, this is the place to be - every day is a party at Señor Frogs.

Brimming with pageantry and expression channelling Grenadas African, French, British and Caribbean heritage, the SpiceMas Carnival is an island event not to be missed. Expect calypsonians and steelpan orchestras celebrating the best of the regions musical talent and exuberance.

Expect to see Basseterre streets packed to the rafters on Boxing Day as the island celebrates J'Ouvert. Costume dancers fill the streets during St. Kitts & Nevis biggest event of the year. Watch as the streets erupt in a series of colourful parades and processions, with everything from clowns to dancers on stilts.

A series of six festivals taking place from May through to October, St Lucia's Summer Soleil offers everything from roots and soul to local jazz. Stringing together four distinct festivals for a non-stop summer party, expect dancing, art and cuisine at this wondrous Saint Lucian event.

This tiny, man-made island in Clifton Harbour was built with holidaymakers joy in mind by local resident Janti Ramage. Made entirely out of discarded conch shells, the island is really just a small bar where you can tie your boat, enjoy a drink or a bite and hear some of the regions best tales from Janti.

Bigger, brighter and arguably better than any other Mardi Gras on earth, St Vincent and Grenadines celebrates its rich heritage and diverse culture each year in early summer. Attracting thousands of tourists, this vibrant celebration of music, dance and Vincentian heritage brings the islands towns to life.

This ever-popular restaurant has now expanded to two locations on the island of Bermuda. Known for its Rum Swizzle, that was their signature drink when the bar opened in 1932, today they serve everything from burgers to pizzas, the kind of food ideal for lining the stomach before an evening of celebratory holiday drinks. Pay a visit, you can swizzle in and then swagger out.

Founded in 2004, this not-for-profit event presents a diverse set of films from around the world to the local Bahamian community and international visitors alike. Expect varied showings everyday throughout the week-long event, all showcased on outdoor projector screens under the stars.

With tiki torches and fire pits, the allure from The Deck at Seven Stars Resort is positively glowing, and tourists visit like moths to a flame. Perched on the dunes overlooking the ocean you'd be wise to visit on a Sunday evening for the weekly sunset beach BBQ and live music.

Ideal for a birthday or celebration, The Pickled Onion is an iconic bar on Front Street in Bermuda. Affectionately known as The P.O. among locals, it's one of the islands best spots to enjoy live music. Stop by for open mic night on Tuesdays to hear local musicians, Wednesdays are all about R&B, reggae, funk, and soul and Thursdays classic rock... you get the drift. There's something for everyone here.

Tobago is the proverbial home of jazz in the Caribbean so expect some cool tunes on your visit. The Tobago Jazz Experience is held every summer in the heart of the island, promising beautiful scenery and unique sounds from the best local and international big-name artists.

More of a celebration than a street party, the Tobago Heritage Festival was formed as an opportunity to celebrate the islands many unique traditions. Expect folk tales, traditional songs and collaborative activities. The educational nature of Tobago's event makes it a great one for families and children.

Open daily from 11am - 1am Treasure Bay is St Lucias only casino. Enjoy slot machines, gaming tables, sports bars and more in this beachside venue. Like a beachy cousin to Vegas casinos, Treasure Bay is rather unassuming from the outside but step inside and youll find it has all the fun and games other casinos offer.

Known as the biggest street party on earth you can expect a day of overwhelming colour and sound at the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. Celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday leading up to Ash Wednesday each year, traditionally, the carnival kicks off on the Monday at 4am with JOuvert where locals dance through the streets until sunrise.

If you find yourself on Providenciales in search of a great cocktail hour, try Sharkbite on the waters edge overlooking Smiths Reef. Run by a Boston expat, this venue understands a good time. Expect pulsing tunes, vibrant decor, good food and even better drinks. Cheers to that.

Get the beach party started at Zest at the Gansevoort on Turks and Caicos. Lazy days roll into pumping nights under the stars at this popular island bar and restaurant. Take a seat by the pool under the palms and enjoy the best Caribbean nightlife has to offer in a sophisticated yet vibrating setting.

Also known as ‘Creole Day’, Jounen Kweyol is a Lucian festival that celebrates the island’s multicultural Creole heritage that mixes British, French, African and Caribbean influences. Less colour and pizazz, you can expect more authentic displays including traditional wood methods and local historic recipes.

Literally meaning day break, the St. Vincent’s Carnival, or Vincy Mas kicks off with J’Ouvert in May. Their celebrations last all the way through to July, creating one of the world’s most famous street parties. Expect a colourful bonanza of costumes, dancing and music that transforms the island in early summer.

Expect to hear the vibrant sounds of steelpan music throughout the duration of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Vincy Mas. Held every year, this colourful carnival is arguably the biggest fiesta on the island featuring local calypso and soca music. An event not to be missed, this carnival is worth timing your trip for.