2 reviewed party hostels · from €21.00/night · Hostelworld rated
Port Antonio isn’t the kind of place where you’ll find thumping bass lines or crowds spilling out of clubs at 3 AM. Instead, the nightlife here unfolds at a slower pace: think reggae drifting from beachside bars, rum punch in hand, and the occasional impromptu jam session under strings of fairy lights. The action centres on spots like Cristal Nightclub, where locals and travellers mix over dancehall and cold Red Stripes, and Germaican Hostel’s bar, which becomes the de facto hub for backpackers looking for a cheap drink and a chat.
Hostels here are small, social, and often tied to a bar or a beach. You won’t find mega-dorms or flashy party hostels; instead, places like Germaican pack a punch with their own on-site bars and a crowd that’s up for a good time without the pretence. The town itself is compact: most places are within a 15-minute walk, so you can stumble home along quiet, moonlit streets without needing a taxi.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Fabulous social hostel with friendly and helpful staff. The hostel features nice common areas designed to encourage guests to hang out together. A spacious kitchen is a perfect place for cooking your own food and group dinners. And for real party animals, they organize crazy drinking games in their bar, and fun pub crawls.
Beautiful social hostel, highly recommended for nature lovers and young travellers. The hostel features a nice garden, terrace with amazing views, a picnic area with a fireplace, and a cool bar. Regular social activities like hiking, walking tours, snorkelling, and fishing are perfect for bonding with other backpackers. Plus, they serve fresh homemade breakfast every morning.
How Port Antonio's nightlife zones break down
Titchfield is the heart of Port Antonio, where you’ll find the town square, the main bus stop, and a handful of bars and restaurants. The streets are lined with colonial-era buildings, and the atmosphere is laid-back but lively. It’s the best place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of everything, including Germaican Hostel and Cristal Nightclub.
A short taxi ride from the town centre, Frenchman’s Cove is a secluded beach surrounded by lush hills. The area is quieter than Titchfield, with a few upscale villas and a famous beach bar. It’s the perfect spot for a day trip, especially if you want to swim in the turquoise water or hike through the nearby rainforest. Expect to pay a $5 USD entry fee to access the beach.
Perched on a hillside overlooking the ocean, Fairy Hill is a residential area with a bohemian feel. The streets are quiet, and the views are spectacular. It’s home to The Bush Bar, a favourite among expats and travellers looking for a relaxed evening. The walk up the hill is steep, but the sunset views make it worth the effort.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
The closest thing Port Antonio has to a proper club, Cristal draws a mix of locals and travellers with its dancehall and reggae nights. The crowd is friendly, and the Hall brothers: who run the place: keep the drinks flowing until the early hours. Entry is free, but drinks cost around $4 USD. It gets busy after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, so arrive early to grab a table near the dance floor.
This hostel’s bar is the go-to spot for backpackers looking for cheap drinks and a chilled vibe. The bar serves $2 USD Red Stripes and $3 USD rum punches, and the crowd often spills into the garden for impromptu guitar sessions. It’s open every night, but things pick up on weekends when the hostel organises BBQs and domino tournaments.
A short walk from the town centre, Anna Banana’s is a beachfront bar with sand underfoot and hammocks strung between palm trees. The music is a mix of reggae and old-school hip-hop, and the bar serves jerk chicken platters for $8 USD. Happy hour runs from 4–6 PM, with $3 USD cocktails. It’s a great spot to watch the sunset and meet other travellers.
Tucked away in the hills above Port Antonio, The Bush Bar is a hidden gem with a bohemian vibe. It’s a bit of a trek to get there: ask your hostel for directions or take a route taxi: but the views and the atmosphere make it worth it. The bar serves homemade rum punch and fresh coconut water, and the crowd is a mix of expats and locals. Live music happens most weekends, and there’s often a bonfire after dark.
This bar is part of the Dragon Bay resort but welcomes non-guests for a small entry fee. The beach is stunning, and the bar serves $5 USD cocktails and cold beers. It’s a quieter spot, ideal for daytime lounging or a relaxed evening with a book. If you’re lucky, you might catch a local band playing on Sunday afternoons.
A historic lodge with a bar that’s been serving drinks since the 1950s, De Montevin is a Port Antonio institution. The bar is small and unpretentious, with wooden stools and a jukebox playing everything from ska to soul. A Red Stripe costs $2.50 USD, and the bartenders are happy to chat about the town’s history. It’s open from 11 AM until late, but the best time to go is around sunset.