US Virgin Islands News

Tourist Trap - not fancy, but special

Caribbean Travel + LIfe magazine knows a good thing when it tastes it.  And one 'good ting' is Larry Grenier's "Tourist Trap" backyard bar.

Admittedly off the main tourist route, despite its name, the Trap is four miles east of Coral Bay at Concordia.  CT+L says, "You'll find a backyard with a half-dozen mismatched tables."  Grenier calls it, "a little shithole on the side of the road."

People who have been there are, however, much more respectful.  Trip Advisor has more than a hundred reviews, ranking Trap the 10th best restaurants on the island, out of 93.  

Reviewers say things like:

• “Pulled pork nachos - yum!”
• “Best Lobsta roll going!”
• “Simple, friendly and classic St. John”

"It's the adult beverages that earn the Trap claps," says the magazine, "particularly the Drink Right, Keep Left, a slushy rum-and-fruit concoction.

The Trap's going on five years old. Long enough some people might want to redecorate or straighten up.  Not Larry. "We can't make this place nice 'cause people don't want it to be nice," he told the magazine.  "Half the stuff here was either given to me or found in a dumpster."

• Read the CT+L article here.
• The Trap's Web site

Where the best Happy Hours are

High Tide's Happy Hour - $2 beers

Some people might consider ANY hour spent on St. John one of the best ever.  But we're talking Happy Hours at some of the island's most creative bars and restaurants.

Ella Anderson, publisher of the St. John Sun Times, is a connoisseur of such places and features them in her bi-monthly magazine - available free at fine businesses on the island.

In the June issue, the Sun Times staff passes along Happy Hour spots where the locals go, so you know they must be good.

• High Tide at Wharfside.  Every day, its reputation for fine food is growing.  Don't forget the drinks.  From 3 to 7 p.m., Banks beer is $2 and the rum punch will set you back just $4.
• Everybody's favorite, the Lime Inn pours half-price for drinks from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
• Driftwood Dave's, in the Lumberyard, is one of the most colorful places.  Happy Hour is all day Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with $2 beers and $4 frozen drinks.
• Don't forget Woody's Seafood Saloon: beer for a buck 3 to 6 p.m.
• Spyglass, also at Wharfside, mixes up $3 margaritas and $2 beers from 3 to 6 p.m.
• The Gecko Gazebo at Mongoose' has a 2-for-1 deal beginning at 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and it lasts 70 minutes.

How to celebrate Mother's Day

Inner Visions is doing a video of this appearance.

Skinny Legs has a new owner

Photo courtesy Skinny Legs' Web site

There's new management for St. John's best-known and most-loved bar.

Cruz Bay Realty broke the news Wednesday night Tweeting "Skinny Legs in Coral Bay has a new owner - congrats!."

But while the 'management' may be new, the face is not. The guy in charge is Doug Bean, a longtime islander and go-to guy for Moe Chabuz, the now-previous owner of Skinny's.

A posting on the Coral Bay bar's Web site said, "Moe is passing the hat to Doug Bean, and on his way to traveling with Toni and enjoying life."

• Facebook page for Skinny Legs
• Trip Advisor on Skinny's