Lounging around in beach bars is a quintessential feature of any Caribbean holiday: enjoying a chilled beer or a cocktail with your toes in the sand, watching glorious sunsets, and marvelling at the bar’s twinkling lights reflected in the water at night.

That said, there are not as many beach bars as you might imagine in Barbados, especially on the West Coast, where much of the shoreline is taken up with private villas and hotels – though the latter have their own ocean-facing watering holes.

We’ve selected a handful to try out, from the casual to the more elegant, the local to the more touristy, and one not even on the beach! Nearly all bars also serve food, from snacks to more substantial offerings, but the ones listed here are primarily selected for their drinks and/or their vibe.