New Year’s Resolutions – US Virgin Islands Style
Ahoy mates and welcome aboard to 2025! Tired of all those resolutions to lose weight, spend less or eat healthier? Well, you’re in luck because resolutions these days are switching directions and leaning towards embracing the things you love, rather than eliminating bad habits. So for all of you who love the Caribbean, consider this as your New Year’s resolution: I’m going to discover more things to love about the Virgin Islands! To get you started, let’s look at some new businesses, new changes and hidden gems that are sure to get you planning and packing for your next visit.
New Businesses
Let’s start on St. John in Cruz Bay. What’s not to love about digging your toes in the sand and sipping on your favorite rum cocktail? The people at The Beach Bar just made that possible by opening a new (mini) bar, just a few feet away from their current location, right on the sand by the water. From 3pm to 7pm, you can enjoy one long happy hour when Coronas and Soca Seltzers are $5 a piece and your choice of Painkillers or Tito or Cruzan cocktails are only $6 each. To make the experience even more enjoyable, there are plenty of new picnic tables where you can sit, relax, enjoy the view, and converse with friends. If you get hungry, walk a few extra steps to the main bar area and order food that you can take to your table. It’s “eazy peezy,” just like those dreamy fantasy vacations on television commercials. Feeling like you want to be there but you’re stuck at home? Check out The Beach Bar’s new panoramic beach cam from the comfort of your own couch at: Beach Bar St. John Webcam – YouTube.
While in Cruz Bay, make sure to visit the Upstairs Bar & Grill, otherwise known as “Your Favorite Dive Bar.” This fun sports bar hosts “Bingo” on Wednesdays from 5-7pm and “Karaoke Nights” on Tuesdays from 9pm to midnight. While you’re there, catch up on the latest sports events on their numerous televisions and look into their menu which features burgers, Tater Tots, Totchos (Tater Tots with Sloppy Joe, jalapenos, onions, peppers, and queso!!!), chicken tenders, tacos, a variety of salads and specialty hot dogs like “The Cowboy,” which is smothered in onions, bacon, jalapenos, BBQ sauce and cheese. Then wash it all down with your favorite beverage. Sounds like love on a platter!
Venture a bit further from Cruz Bay onto Centerline Rd. (Rt. 10) and you’ll come to the recently opened Mid Way Cafe & Grill, located next to the Mid Way gas and grocery complex. This open-air eatery is about 3 miles from Cruz Bay and offers full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Open seven days a week with ample parking for customers, there’s no excuse for not stopping to sample an array of platters, including some specialties like chicken and waffles for breakfast, quesadillas for lunch or lobster mac & cheese for dinner. Not to mention, their large bar can mix up your favorite drink for an added bonus.
Make sure to check our Trivia Night every Monday at Tap & Still in Cruz Bay where you can win prizes including a $100 gift certificate with Stormy Pirates each week.
While a few iconic locations like the Coral Bay Fresh Market and the Quiet Mon Pub closed for good last year, many of the start ups in 2023 & 2024 continue to thrive and would appreciate your business. Here are a few worth noting: The Little Things (shop in Cruz Bay), Pirates Cove (shop in Coral Bay), Downtown Sips (coffee shop in Cruz Bay), Dolphin Grab & Go (quick serve breakfast & lunch in Cruz Bay), and the Dazey Drive-In for desserts, especially Hawaiian Ice in Coral Bay. Also, the Salt + Lime Express, a Coral Harbor shuttle service to the ever-popular LIme Out, where you can enjoy tacos and libations on the water.
Over on St. Thomas, be sure to visit Stormy Pirates’ new Boat Day Boatique where you can browse and shop for stylish and practical pirate swag. Merchandise includes dry bags, rash guards, SPF light-weight sun shirts, dry-fit tees, tank tops, and beach towels. Top off your bounty with a Stormy Pirates hat, flag or 20 oz. tumbler. It’s everything you need for a fabulous day on the water, and it all makes great souvenirs, too.
New Changes
While at the Boatique on St. Thomas, look into Stormy Pirates’ latest addition – Gorda Pirate. Gorda Pirate is a 55’ power catamaran that can now accommodate 49 guests! Yes, you read that correctly. It’s a large boat that’s perfect for hosting that special family celebrations, Weddings or business events. The boat is currently certified for both US and BVI charters.
Pizza Pi, the popular sailboat pizzeria located in Christmas Cove, where you can feast your eyes on dolphins, turtles, starfish, conch, and a variety of tropical fish while you indulge in some of the finest pizza in the Caribbean, has new owners. Although the business has been around since November 2014, Blair (a former UVI attendee), Chris (a St. Thomas native) and Katie (a midwest gal) are the new owners. Each is committed to maintaining a “family friendly maritime dining option that reflects the funky, unique vibes of the islands.” The owners have recently added large new floats that seat 8 people, so you can enjoy a drink with your toes in the water. They’ve also made a commitment to use local ingredients when possible, and they’ve changed up their menu. Their 16” specialty pies will make your mouth water. Take for instance, the “Mele Kalikimaka,” which features ham, bacon, mozzarella and pineapple or the “Peachy Goat,” which boasts crumbled goat cheese, sliced peaches, fresh basil, balsamic glaze and a honey drizzle. Visit their menu and you’ll instantly be hungry. An Added bonus – their drink menu is just as creative and for an extra $2, you can add a floater to any mixed drink or signature cocktail with 100% of the profits donated to the Virgin Islands Conservation Society to aid in conserving the natural resources of the region.
Over at the Lovango Resort + Beach Club, new offerings are everywhere. While the resort is only 10 minutes away from Cruz Bay (catch their private ferry at the bulkhead across the street from Nella’s Lounge and Cool Breeze Jeep Rentals), the vibe and atmosphere is totally different – as in quiet, calm and luxurious. Check out the new menu items at The Sand Pit, the resort’s more casual lunch spot, and the Waterfront Restaurant, which offers a more elevated experience. Should you choose to hang at the Beach Club pool, there are cabanas for rent that seat 6, single beach loungers that come with an umbrella, and newly fashioned beach cabanas designed for couples and pairs. For those wishing to spend the night, the former options of 3-bedroom villas, luxury tree houses, and ocean-view glamping options are still available, as well as the addition of fully-air conditioned, ocean-view cottages that accommodate up to 2 adults and 3 children.
Hop back over to St. John to check out the newly remodeled Lime Inn where this long-running restaurant has made a concerted effort to bring a fun concept change to their downtown Cruz Bay location. Enjoy the new vibe as you peruse the revised menu that features starters served with corn tortilla chips, more than 15 ingeniously created tacos (made with everything from the typical chicken, beef or fish to Korean BBQ, braised short ribs, spicy quinoa, grouper ceviche and Caribbean jerk tuna) and a separate drink menu that boasts shots like Key Lime Boom Boom, made with housemade key lime pie, graham cracker crumble, whipped cream. How good does that sound? Plus, they offer more traditional libations tequila, local beers, bottles of wine, fresh juices and teas as well as a host of craft cocktails. Definitely worth a stop to satisfy those taco cravings.
Hidden Gems
This is a hard one as there are more than a few, but here are a couple to choose from. For starters, the local music hot spot is Lovango Rum Bar in Cruz Bay. Their lineup of musicians has everyone talking (and dancing!). While the schedule changes frequently, 4:30 to 6:30 is typically a good time to catch a live performance and a great way to pass happy hour at the same time. The kitchen operates Monday thru Sunday from 4pm to 10pm and the bar is open Monday thru Sunday from 4pm to 12am. So head on over to Bay Street and join in the fun.
Over on St. Thomas, try something different by making a reservation at Old Stone Farmhouse. This upscale eatery serves American fare with Caribbean flare in a 1750’s stable. The food and ambiance are memorable. Brunch is served on Sundays from 10am to 2pm, while dinner is available Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Reservations are suggested. It’s certainly not your typical beach scene.
If you like live music, amazing views, and great bar food (with some mouthwatering mac & cheese offerings, too), don’t forget to check out The Windmill Bar which sits at the top of Centerline Rd. on St. John, overlooking Caneel Bay. The bar is part of Neptune’s Lookout, which includes the Susannaberg windmill, erected in the 1780s. History, nature and libations collide at this gorgeous open-air location where catching lunch with friends or enjoying dinner and drinks with strangers makes for a memorable adventure. Check their schedule for music performances as music occurs most days and at various times. Watching the sun set from this locale is an added bonus so don’t forget your camera.
End Notes: Hopefully, you’ve read enough to get you in a Virgin Island state of mind and to set your own resolutions about what you want to do and see on your next trip to the islands. Don’t wait too long to book those flights or grab availability at your favorite villa, though. It’s high season and everything is in full swing. As always, feel free to share this blog with your friends and visit our website to book a boat day with Stormy Pirates Charters – we’ll put the gang plank down and escort you in style.