Oistins Fish Fry
Oistins is an active fishing town on the south coast and is a hub of activity on weekend nights.
On Friday night particularly, the big thing to do is go to the fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens. The food is the main draw - excellent fish, (tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, flying fish), lobster, chicken etc served in an extremely informal setting. You can get your fish grilled or fried depending on which vendor you choose from. It's all cooked on the spot in front of you.
A plate of fish (and there’s plenty fish on it) and a beer will cost you about Bds$30 - $35 (US$ 15 - 17.50).
Seating is plentiful, if rustic, and in amongst the diners, the old-timers are playing dominoes.
But there are also art and craft items on sale, including jewellery, pottery, ceramics, leather craft, wood carvings, straw craft, clothing and accessories, and original paintings and prints.
There are two sources of music - one plays mostly back-in-time (Bob Marley, Platters, Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican ska, even old country and western!), the other calypso, including the current Crop Over hits. You can dance if you want or watch the others dance! Some nights there's a live band.
Food is usually available from about 7:00pm but if you go early (say 5:45pm) you can walk on the pier and perhaps see a great sunset. Collect your fish scraps from the vendors in the fish market and feed the turtles.
Frequented by visitors and locals alike, it's a great place to spend an informal evening. Lots of parents bring their children.
If you go after 8:00pm, be prepared occasionally for long waits for food. Dress down!
