Cruz Bay

Cruz Bay is lively at night, especially on the weekends. Happy hour starts early at Woody’s Seafood Saloon (Cruz Bay, 340/779-4625) where beers are just a buck 3–5 p.m. daily. The 20-something crowd that loves this place often spills out onto the sidewalk. Many people here are getting warmed up for a long night out.

The Woody’s crowd heads to Duffy’s Love Shack (Cruz Bay, 340/776-6065, 11:30 a.m.–2 a.m. daily), just around the corner, a little later. Duffy’s is reminiscent of Swiss Family Robinson—there are rope bridges and lots of decks, and a tree is growing straight through the building. The dance floor here gets going around 10:30 p.m., but doesn’t usually get hot until around midnight. Duffy’s is known for its ridiculous tropical concoctions, some of which are served in fishbowls.

A more mature crowd heads to the Quiet Mon Pub (Cruz Bay, 340/779-4799), which offers a nice selection of brews on-tap. Located upstairs a trendy restaurant, the Quiet Mon has seats that overlook the street below, making this a great spot for people watching (although there’s no view of the water). Come here for a quiet drink or to talk with friends.

Coral Bay

By and large, nightlife in Coral Bay is mellower than Cruz Bay. Skinny Legs (340/779-4982) is the original Coral Bay watering hole, which caters to sailors and other salty dogs. The open-air dining room faces a bar which is full by noon many days. The vibe is friendly, but not forcefully so, and they schedule live music a couple nights a week.

Across the bay from Skinny Legs is Island Blues (340/776-6800), a seaside restaurant and watering hole with a mildly refined edge. You can sit outside or in, and several nights a week they offer live blues and jazz. This is a nice, laid-back place to unwind.

Even farther down Route 107 toward Salt Pond Bay is Shipwreck Landing (Rte. 107, 340/693-5640). Also a restaurant, Shipwreck is a popular place for folks who are pretty serious about drinking.

© Susanna Henighan Potter from Moon Virgin Islands, 4th edition