The Barbados Blog (The Oistins Edition)

About Oistins Town: Oistins town is located in the parish of Christ Church on the south coast of Barbados and is home to a relatively vibrant fishing community. The town was established on January 17th, 1652, by the then governor, who was a loyalist to the British crown . The reason behind the carnival-type atmosphere each weekend is mainly attributed to the driver initiative put in place as a means of support for the fisherfolk operating at the Oistins Fishing Complex, and the outlets at the Oistins Bay Garden. The Complex opens every day for business as usual if you care for a more relaxed experience. Of course, the routine engagement pales in comparison to Friday night's activity, when scores of visitors to the island and locals alike descend upon the town in their numbers, decked in all colors and splendors, with the best intentions of having a meal, a few drinks, and enjoying the festive atmosphere. Here is a list of the six most sought-after experiences by the overwh...

About Oistins  Bay Gardens Friday Night Fish Fry

About the Food Outlets : The food outlets each serve their own branded specialties, the basic menus are consistent with a variety of seafood options fresh from the market next-door. Mainly filleted fish stakes e.g. Flying Fish, Mahi-mahi, Tuna, Marlin, Kingfish, Swordfish etc. traditionally prepared with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, served typically grilled, or pan seared with some lofty choices of delicious side orders, unique to each individual outlets e.g., Macaroni Pie, Breadfruit Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Irish Potato Fries, Rice, Salads, Coleslaw, Vegetables, etc. The end result irrespective of its origins, in Bajan terms "Sweet fuh day," meaning "tasty and satisfying," a meal worthy of the traditional signature brand of Barbadian culinary exploits. Quite arguably a casual dining experience second to none, and what is truly amazing, the price of a basic meal is in no way reflected in actual value received, based on volume or quality. Event Described...

The Big Stage :  Located on the east wing of the complex,  t he stage is  the focal point of  the regularly  scheduled   activity.   T ypically, this is where most people tend to gravitate  almost instinctively after a filling meal,  wherever space is available,  for a bit of a drink and a  dance .  Th e featured entertainment highlight  most Friday nights is the clash of DJs on stage for the after-dinner p arty which raps up at approximately 2am. Most convent, t he  exit  left of the sta ge  provides access to the  craft  village  almost  parallel  to the full length of  Oistins Bay .                                                                                    ...

  Lexie’s DJ : The DJ at the very popular Lexie’s bar located at the southwestern end of the complex sets the mood in that general vicinity from as early as 7 p.m. Setting the mood with the sweet sounds of the greatest reggae, Soca, R&B, and dancehall hits, gradually transitioning to the currently trending favorites, but by all means permeating the atmosphere with highly infectious beats that compels rhythmic expression, officially declaring open season on the dance floor to every able-bodied soul within range of the big, fat, dynamic sound system. Open Dance Season : The dance floor is open to anyone willing to mix it up in the middle with the locals, most of whom are natural dancers themselves and are delighted to share the space. This is a very common occurrence at Lexie’s bar, a very popular dance spot for locals. You can literally witness the gradual transformation of Road Tennis Court, located between Lexie's and Kathy's bar s, into the outdoor dance floor. By all ...

What to Expect: The regularly scheduled entertainment on the big stage each Friday night is usually provided by the resident DJs, although at times you might be lucy enough to be treated with a live performance from a local artiest. The atmosphere at the height of activity is electrifying, to say the least, and to bear witness to its unfolding, by all accounts is truly amazing. Any given Friday night is likely stacked with a number of bedazzling spectacles if you're not familiar with the culture. Altogether it's an extreme culture shock, riddled with sporadic outbursts of impromptu performances from out of the blue, as it would seem. One such feature is the "Tuk-Band," with the dancing "Mother Sally," an acoustic bass and kettle drum duo, performing a pulsating ruk-kuh-tuk melodic rhythm. This is a huge part of Bajan folklore. It's equally satisfying just to see the locals enjoying themselves the way only they know how to. Regardless of which ...

                                  Origins of the Trend :  After much debate, nobody seems to be quite sure of the circumstances surrounding the origins of the Oistins Friday night fish fry; however, the overwhelming majority are in agreement that it actually originated as a direct response to an age-old invitation  extended by some arbitrary figure who offered the very first invite to a group of tourists visiting the island at some point in the past, dating as far back as the days of platform shoes and bell bottom pants. Exactly who, where, and when are still a bit sketchy. Since then, it has been upheld and adopted unofficially as an initiative to increase attendance at the Bay Garden, and over time, it has emerged as one of the premier spots on the island for social activity . There's no official invitation as  such;  however, locals utilize every opportunity to promote this activi...