Barbados Travel Guide - Going Out

Many restaurants offer both international and Bajan cuisine at a variety of prices.

Things to know: Numerous bars emulate the British pub and serve genuine British bitter and stout. Night-time street vendors selling local favourites provide a cheap, non-committal introduction to traditional Bajan dishes.

National specialities:
• Cutters (large flying fish sandwiches, often served with coucou (seasoned cornmeal topped with spiced tomatoes, onion and peppers)).
• Conkies (cornmeal blended with coconut, pumpkin, raisins, sweet potato and spices steamed in a banana leaf).
• Rice'n'peas (made from a local bean and usually flavoured with coconut).
• Sea eggs (devilled sea urchin roe).
• Other specialities include crane chubb, grilled pigtail, conch fritters, plantains and breadfruit.

National drinks:
• All types of rum-based cocktails, rum punch, planters punch and pina coladas.
• Famous rums include Cockspur’s Five Star and Mount Gay, the oldest rum blend on the island.
• The local beer is Banks.
• Falernum (rum, sugar, lime and almond essence).
• Mauby (non-alcoholic, made from the boiled, strained and sweetened bark of a local tree), tastes like an extremely potent sarsaparilla.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: In restaurants or nightclubs, tips are usually 10 to 15%. Porters’ tips are at the customer’s discretion.

Nightclubs, discos and bars provide live entertainment including limbo dancing, fire-eaters, steel bands and dance bands. Most bands play calypso and reggae, but a few play excellent R'n'B. There is a small cover charge. As in all Caribbean countries, swinging nightspots tend to come and go with seasons. Coastal boat trips with live entertainment are very popular; most sail twice daily and run buffets, bars and live music. Calypso and reggae will always be in the air, ready to inject the night air with that lively West Indian ambience.

Dinner shows are always well attended. The Harbour Lights Extravaganza Dinner Show offers a truly tropical evening of dancing, fire-eating and stiltmen with a barbecue serving food and free drinks until 0300 (website: www.harbourlightsbarbados.com/beach_extravaganza.htm). The Bajan Roots & Rhythms at the Plantation Theatre (website: http://theplantation.bb) is highly interactive with a family-friendly party atmosphere. Dinner is served to the sounds of the steel pan, and followed by a spectacular show with limbo and dancing.

Barbados has been a trading centre ever since the English arrived in 1627. As a result, the island enjoys long-standing links with the world's major business houses meaning Barbadian retailers have expert knowledge of their merchandise. Shoppers are treated to superb service and high quality goods sold at competitive prices; Barbados is established as the tax-free haven of the Eastern Caribbean. Shopping is a delight and visitors are able to take home plenty of purchases duty-free on production of their passport and air ticket. (Alcohol and tobacco are sent to the airport or port for collection on departure.) Many items can be bought for up to 30% to 50% lower than European and North American prices although prices for some goods can tend to be on the high side. The superior quality of the jewellery, clothing and ceramics often makes the expense worthwhile. Special purchases include rum, straw goods, coral and shell jewellery, prints (batik) and woodcraft. Most shopping is concentrated along the south and west coasts, particularly in Bridgetown, but craft houses and charming local shops are scattered all over the island.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0830-1600 (supermarkets are open longer on Saturdays).