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Restaurant, water park and nightclub · Montego Bay

Margaritaville Montego Bay: a local's guide

By Michael RainfordBorn and raised in JamaicaPrices & hours checked Sources
Margaritaville building with a water slide above turquoise sea in Montego Bay
On this page
  1. My local take
  2. How to get there
  3. What to expect
  4. Local tips
  5. Before you go
  6. FAQ
  7. Sources

My local take

Margaritaville on the Hip Strip is where the Margaritaville Caribbean group started; its chairman calls it the flagship. By day it’s a big restaurant and bar with a sunset patio over the water and an aqua park in the sea below, with a water trampoline. After 10 pm it turns into Clubville, an open-air, multi-level nightclub that plays dancehall and reggae until 4 am. The building was rebuilt and reopened in stages from December 2024.

It suits groups, cruise passengers with a few hours, and anyone who wants music, drinks and a swim in one place. It doesn’t suit you if you want Jamaican food done the Jamaican way: the menu is American bar food with jerk touches. My take: go for the sea, the view and the vibe, eat jerk somewhere local, and come back at night only if you want a big, tourist-friendly club.

For a quieter swim, pair it with a morning at Doctor’s Cave Beach Club, a short walk north, or a jerk lunch at Scotchies in Coral Gardens. For more of the area, see my Montego Bay guide.

How to get there

From the airport and the Hip Strip: Margaritaville is on the sea side of the Hip Strip, Jimmy Cliff Boulevard (still widely called Gloucester Avenue), a few hundred meters south of Doctor’s Cave Beach. It’s roughly 7 to 8 km by road from Sangster International Airport (map distance), a short taxi ride outside rush hour.

From the resorts: Margaritaville says it offers free daytime transport from most major Montego Bay resorts for groups of four or more; call 876-952-4777 to book. From Rose Hall, such as Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites, it’s about 19 km west along the North Coast Highway (map distance).

From Negril and Ocho Rios: Both have their own Margaritaville, listed on the group’s site, so there’s no need to drive to Montego Bay just for this one.

Without a car: Use Margaritaville's free daytime resort transport for groups of four or more (see Getting there), or a licensed taxi (red PP plates); if you're on the Hip Strip, walk.

What to expect

Margaritaville lists a full-service restaurant and bar, the water park with Caribbean Sea access, live entertainment, the sunset patio, outdoor showers, a nightclub and a retail store. The water park sits in the sea off the deck, with a water trampoline; bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to go in.

The menu is published on the official page: nachos, wings, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, jerk barbecue chicken and seafood plates. Check the online menu for current prices before you go.

The weekly events listed on the site include Ladies Night on Thursdays, a Friday happy hour from 5 to 9 pm, and Str8 Vybz Satdayz at Clubville on Saturdays.

Local tips

  • Come in late afternoon for a swim, then stay on the patio for sunset over the bay.

  • Ask at the door what’s included before you use the water park, and whether there’s a cover charge at night.

  • Carry ID if you plan to stay for the nightclub.

Before you go

  • It’s busy and loud, especially on cruise-ship days and weekend nights. It’s not the place for a quiet lunch.
  • Prices are tourist prices, and drinks add up quickly.
  • Daytime opening hours aren’t published on the official page; call ahead if they matter.
  • After dark it’s a nightclub, so it isn’t a family spot at night.
  • Use licensed taxis (red PP plates) late at night and agree the fare first; the Hip Strip has plenty of unofficial drivers.

Questions people ask

Is Margaritaville Montego Bay open?

Yes. The official page lists current menus and weekly events, and Clubville’s nightclub hours.

Is it free to get into Margaritaville Montego Bay?

Margaritaville doesn’t publish an entry fee on its Montego Bay page. Ask at the door about any minimum spend for the water park and any cover charge for the nightclub.

What time does the Margaritaville nightclub open in Montego Bay?

Clubville, the nightclub, runs from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am, according to the official site. Saturdays are Str8 Vybz Satdayz, and Thursday is Ladies Night.

Does Margaritaville Montego Bay offer transport from hotels?

Yes. It offers free daytime transport from most major Montego Bay resorts for groups of four or more. Call 876-952-4777 or email info@margaritavillecaribbean.com to arrange it.

Is Margaritaville Montego Bay good for kids?

By day, it can work for families who want a swim and lunch, with the water park in the sea off the deck. At night it becomes a nightclub, so it’s an adults’ place after dark.

Sources & updates

Update log

  • — Rewritten as a researched guide; facts re-checked. Removed unverified slide length, celebrity names and nightclub price; added rebuild, post-hurricane status, free resort transport and nightclub hours.
  • — Moved source citations out of the text
  • — Removed repeated advice
  • — Trimmed hurricane references to where they change the advice

Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.

Where to stay nearby

Where to stay in Montego Bay