Nightlife · Montego Bay · Jamaica
Montego Bay nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Montego Bay, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Van Atrecht, CC0
Quick answer
Nightlife centres on the Hip Strip's bars, beach clubs and occasional street parties, plus resort entertainment. Reggae Sumfest in July is the year's biggest event. The main areas are Hip Strip, Resort entertainment and Catherine Hall.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
- Local drink
- Rum punch
Where to go out
Hip Strip
Bars with sea views, beach-club parties and live music along Gloucester Avenue.
Resort entertainment
Nightly shows, discos and themed parties inside the big all-inclusives.
Catherine Hall
Entertainment centre that hosts Reggae Sumfest and other large concerts.
Nightlife tips
- Take a licensed taxi back to your hotel after dark rather than walking beyond the Hip Strip.
- Expect offers of drugs from street vendors; decline politely and keep walking.
- Keep valuables to a minimum at street parties and in crowded clubs.
Evening sights
Street · Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
Hip Strip
A polite but firm 'no thanks' handles most vendors; keep walking if you are not interested.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Shopping
Historic site · Rose Hall
Rose Hall Great House
Book the evening tour for the atmosphere, or a daytime tour for the views over the sea.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
Nature · Falmouth and Trelawny coast
Luminous Lagoon at Glistening Waters
Go on a dark, moonless night for the brightest glow.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
What to drink
- Rum punch — Jamaican overproof or aged rum mixed with fruit juices, lime, syrup and nutmeg; every bar has its own recipe.
- Blue Mountain coffee — Mild, smooth coffee from the Blue Mountains near Kingston, one of the world's most sought-after coffees.
- Sorrel — A deep-red drink of hibiscus sepals steeped with ginger and spices, often spiked with rum; traditionally made at Christmas.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. August has the warmest evenings, with lows around 25°C (77°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:55 | 22°C (72°F) | 6 |
| April | About 18:28 | 23°C (73°F) | 5 |
| July | About 18:52 | 25°C (77°F) | 7 |
| October | About 17:49 | 24°C (75°F) | 13 |
Getting home late
- Taxi — Use only taxis with red PP plates and agree the fare before you set off.
- Bus — Book seats online or at the terminal a day ahead for popular routes.
- Walking — Gloucester Avenue's beaches, bars and restaurants are within walking distance of each other; walking elsewhere is not practical.
Late-night bites
- Jamaican patty — Bakeries and patty chains across town.
Staying safe at night
Stay in tourist areas after dark, use licensed taxis and keep valuables out of sight; persistent vendors and hustlers are common on the Hip Strip. Check flags before swimming at beaches with currents.
- Emergency number
- 119 (police), 110 (ambulance and fire)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, budget and solo travellers
Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
Gloucester Avenue, known as the Hip Strip, runs along the bay from near the airport to the edge of downtown. Doctor's Cave Beach, Aquasol and smaller beach clubs sit between hotels, bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. It is the liveliest part of town and the easiest place to stay outside an all-inclusive.
- Good
- Walk to beaches, bars and restaurants; Close to the airport; Wide price range of hotels
- Watch out
- Persistent vendors and hustlers; Noise from bars and traffic
- Nearby
- Doctor's Cave Beach, Montego Bay Marine Park, Dead End Beach
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Montego Bay?
Hip Strip, Resort entertainment and Catherine Hall. Bars with sea views, beach-club parties and live music along Gloucester Avenue.
+Which area of Montego Bay is best for nightlife?
Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue): Beach clubs, bars, jerk stands and mid-range hotels along the bay.