Entertainment Guide to Nevis

Typically, those in Nevis create their own entertainment. This small island is just 36 square miles, with fewer than 10,000 residents. There are, however, a few popular nightspots in addition to the hotels, which offer some entertainment, mostly during the high season (November through May). There are many bars and restaurants, but not any true nightclubs as such at the moment. A couple of restaurants bring in bands on weekends to liven up the dance scene.

For the most part, Nevis is a daytime place, where people spend the daylight hours hiking, swimming, boating, bicycling, and even fishing. They typically enjoy a nice dinner out, and then turn in early to get ready for the next day.

However, if an evening out on the town is what you desire, there will no doubt be some place that can accommodate you.

A popular gathering spot on Wednesday nights is Eddy's Restaurant on Main Street in Charlestown, where local DJ, Jez, spins tunes and gets the crowd going for karaoke. Especially in high season, Eddy's will be packed on Wednesdays, where people come for dinner and stay until the wee hours. From this second-story outdoor bar, you can watch the evening activities of the town, or check out the clientele as they arrive. One part of the back deck gets packed with dancers, while others just mingle around the bar (real regulars keep their Carib cozies parked on a storage rack behind the bar).

Friday nights the place to be is LeBistro, also in town, where locals and visitors gather for Friday night happy hours, and sometimes dinner.

The Four Seasons Resort has live entertainment nightly, when the local dance band, Caribbean Roots, sets up on an outdoor patio after dinner. There's also entertainment available on both sides of the hotel, at Sunshine's Beach Bar and at Beachcomber. Sunshine's has bands or DJs on the nights when one or more cruise ships are anchored offshore, and now there are ‘happy hour' parties on Tuesdays and Fridays. Beachcomber's, since it opened this year under new management, has DJ's on Fridays and Saturday nights.

On Friday nights, the late, late scene is at Sandollar's, which is located next to Beachcomber. Very popular with locals, visitors to the island who like to dance all night often join in to enjoy reggae and other Caribbean beats. The Sandollar's outdoor bar is surrounded by dance floors and beyond, sand!

On some nights, particularly in the high season, the restaurant, Banana's, has live music and DJ's. Sometimes jazzy and sophisticated, the music then transitions into a dance beat later in the evening, when everyone is finished dining.

The plantation inns offer some entertainment, particularly in high season. Golden Rock and Hermitage Plantation Inns have string bands on certain nights, and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club has dancing Thursday nights on its popular beach barbecue nights.

Occasionally, a former hot spot called Dick's Bar, not far from the airport, reopens for nightclub action, usually rented out by someone who wants to throw a party. On those nights, which are publicized widely on the island, a band or well known DJ appears and guests are welcomed (once they pay a minimal cover charge to handle the cost of hosting the event).

Tequila Sheila's, the restaurant connected to the Inn at Cades Bay, started a jazz brunch on Sundays, now a very popular event. As live performers are often included, many arrive around noontime and spend the afternoon visiting with friends and listening to cool tunes at this beach side eatery.

As for other entertainment on the island, things do crop up sporadically, and without much warning. Always delightful are the local appearances by Mishka, a recording star who has family that lives on Nevis. His songs have been at the top of the charts, particularly in Europe, and he has a few recordings that are shown regularly on MTV. Once in a while recording artist Bankie Banx of Anguilla will visit the island and give impromptu concerts at Sunshine's Bar right next to Four Seasons.

There are also locally produced forms of entertainment, often by young people, such as queen pageants, fashion shows and the like. Many of these sorts of evenings come in the summer around the time of Culturama, Nevis' version of Carnival. During that time, which is a straight week of entertainment, there are kaiso (Calypso) competitions, queen shows and a variety of cultural events.

There aren't any movie theatres on Nevis, but there are several video stores where the latest movies are available.

Not to be forgotten is horse racing, which is held nearly once each month by the local Nevis Turf & Jockey Club. It happens at the racetrack, which is far out on the windward side of the island. This magnificent locale has a panoramic view of Montserrat beyond the swaying coconut trees on the coast. Hundreds gather at each race for some spirited wagering as they watch horses sprint. Regardless of the day's events, everyone has a good time, drinking Caribs (local beer), eating barbecued chicken and listening to music even after the races end.