Cayman can be a bit pricey. So if you’re on a budget, how do you find the best value when it comes to your evening entertainment? We hear about guests getting bad restaurant advice all the time. So who do you trust to guide you to the best bang for your buck?
Fortunately, there is no better source on a good boozy bargain than your devoted dive guides. Without further ado, here is your map to Cayman’s best happy hour secrets.
Monday
You have a choice here:
Macabuca has hands-down the best sunset on the island and is within staggering distance from our dive center. It’s the unanimous staff favorite. On Monday’s from 5:00 to 10:00 PM, enjoy 25% off selected wines, beers and well spirits. Monday’s is also BBQ night, with a $17 CI all you can eat buffet. For the ultimate service find server named Vesna. Guess her last name for a free shot. Hint - it’s not Rumpelstilskin.
OR
Royal Palms is the quintessential Seven Mile beach bar, with amazing views of the sugar-white sand, good food and great tropical drinks. On Monday’s enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails from 5:00 to 7:00 PM – an amazing value. After 7:00 order dinner from their diverse menu. For best service, find a male bartender who goes by the name “J-Lo” and tell him Kim sent you.
Tuesday
Begin at the Lodge for their awesome 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM happy hour. For best service, find the bartender named Cuff, and tell him you are a fan of any Toronto sports team.
If at 7:00 you find yourself hungry for BBQ again, take a bus up to Duke’s for their all you can eat BBQ buffet.
Wednesday
XQ’s is known for their great pizza and features a double happy hour. Everyday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, get 50% off pizza orders with a purchase of 1 beverage per pizza. Then from 5:00 to 7:00, enjoy $3.50 beers, $4 house wines, $7 specialty cocktails, or 50% off other mixed drinks.
Frugal tip - get in at 4:45 order your pizza then have two hours to utilize one of the best value happy hours on island.
Tip from the top - ask for the Gingerbread Manhattan.
Thursday
Legendz Bar and Grille - Great value food, wonderfully diverse menu with large portions to appease even the hungriest of divers. Legendz has TWO Happy Hours every day! So you can even go back to your room for a nap in between. From 4:30-7:00 PM then 10:00pm – closing, get:
$3.75 beers
$3.75 highballs
$4-6 wines
$4 cocktails
$5 martinis
Friday
This is a busy day here in Grand Cayman. If you want to start early, begin at Fidel Murphy’s. Fidels is actually 2 sister restaurants side by side - Public House and The Kitchen. Compare the pint pulling skills of Mike and Jarlath in the Great Guinness Pull Off. Friday is where Fidel’s really shines, with their carvery from 11:00 to 2:00.
If you want to dig in, take a short bus ride down to Rackham's - A local dive masters favorite sunset spot in Georgetown. Everyday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM they feature $3.50 Caybrew beers, $4 White Tip and Ironshore, and all other beers for $4.50. Rum punch $5.00, wine $7.00, Appleton and Stoli $6.00, cocktail of the day $6.95. On Friday they have complementary curry cheese fries and BBQ chicken from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Get it while it’s hot!
OR
Stay at Fidel Murphy's all day and enjoy their happy hour from 4:00 to 9:30, and a meal from their tasty and inexpensive menu.
Saturday
Return to the Lodge for the happy hour at 3:00. The dinner menu kicks in at 5:00 PM to satiate the post dive hunger. If you haven’t been worn out after a day on the water, they have live music every night at 9:00 PM. Did someone say karaoke? It’s probably time to put yourself to bed.
Sunday
Are you still standing? Brunch is the sunday sport of the Cayman Islands expat, and a number of restaurants will compete for the best eating experience. But these are pretty expensive, and you’re on a budget, remember?
Our advice for the day of the Pagan sun worshiper, is to head back to Fidel Murphy’s for their (early) all you can eat Roast Dinner, from 11:30 until supplies run out.
Around 4:00, make your way up to Pirates Den, and watch an American Football game while enjoying their happy hour until 7:00 PM.
Want some alternatives?
Sandbar is the hottest new waterfront bar in Georgetown with dedicated frozen daiquiri slushy machines. Happy hour runs 4:00 - 7:00 PM Monday - Friday. As we go to press, the deals are running at $4 well drinks, $4 bottled beer, $4.50 draft, and $5 wine & bubbles.
Cayman Cabana is another great Oceanside restobar in the Georgetown cruise ship district. After the ships leave on Fridays, get 2 tacos and a margarita for $10.
Thai House has specials everyday from 4:00 -7:00 PM avail of their $3 beers, $4.50 drinks and $5 wines to wash down your Sweet and Sour Chicken and dumplings.
The Office Lounge (Georgetown) More of a local vibe with some of the best prices on the island. Right next door to MacDonalds (notice the spelling) They deliver fresh Caribbean cuisine straight to your table. Enjoy 50% off liquor $2 off beers / wine / cocktails - live music every night except Mondays.
Lastly, there is a Facebook group for Grand Cayman called The Cayman Happy Hour where locals and residents post the latest happy hour specials. Be sure to check it out when you come on through.
Of course if you’re looking for value, you can always plonk yourself anywhere on the 5-and-a-half mile long Seven Mile Beach and make your own happy hour with snacks and hors d'oeuvres from Fosters and beer, wine, liquor and mixers from one of the many bottle shops.
Remember
These specials can and do change. Be sure to check the bar or restaurant's website prior to heading over.
All of the prices we listed are in Cayman Islands dollars
Please don't drink and drive. When indulging in adult beverages, be sure to take a bus or taxi home.
Have fun!