While nowhere on St Croix is known for its crazy nightlife, Christiansted is your best bet. During high season, take a moonlit stroll along the waterfront and you're bound to find a party of clinking beer mugs and live music. Cover charges almost don't exist on the island, so you can poke into any place and have a pop while you check out the scene.

Most restaurants have bars, which offer live music (mostly on weekend nights), ranging from jazz to rock to reggae to calypso to acoustic. If you want to get a great taste of Caribbean steel panning, find out where local Bill Bass ( ) is playing. Look out also for the Jump-Up (phone 340/713-8012), a Carnival-like street party that takes place in downtown Christiansted regularly during tourist season between 6pm and 10pm. Expect live music, dancing, mocko jumbies (stilt walkers), crafts and lots of food.  

Bars, Clubs and Entertainment

Boz's Cane Bay Beach Bar Live reggae Thursday and Saturday nights, plus steel band music during Sunday brunch 10am-2pm.

Cheeseburgers in Paradise This small informal eatery offers live music ranging from piano to acoustic guitar to calypso Thursday through Sunday nights, generally beginning at about 7pm.

Club 54 54B Company St phone 340/773-8002. Christiansted's hottest nightclub: DJs every weeknight and live music every weekend. Cheap food and drink specials. Open Wed-Mon until 3am.

The Deep End Bar   Cormorant Resort and Beach Club. Live jazz every Friday at 7pm.

Divi Carina Bay Casino 54 Estate Turner Hole phone 340/773-9700. East of Christiansted, this is the island's only casino, open Mon-Fri 10am-4am; weekends and holidays 10am-6am.

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Indies Live jazz Thursday and Friday night, starting about 7pm.

The Marina Bar   King's Alley Hotel phone 340/773-0103. Very lively once the sun goes down, especially during the Monday night crab races.

The New Wreck Bar 5A-B Hospital St phone 340/773-6092. St Croix's only real rock venue. Live music Wednesday through Saturday nights. Dance floor, island décor.

Off the Wall Bar and Grill Blues, jazz and acoustic music Friday through Sunday 6-9pm.

The Terrace Lounge   Buccaneer Hotel. Calypso bands every Friday and Saturday 8-11pm. Cover charge is usually US$5 for those not staying at the hotel.