Sunshine's Beach Bar & Grill
The Killer Bee-slinging Pinney's Beach institution that put Nevis on the map
Why Go
Bare feet in warm sand, a plastic cup of secret-recipe rum punch in hand, and Sunshine himself holding court under a canopy of fluttering flags ΓÇö this ramshackle beach shack has been the beating heart of Nevis since Llewellyn 'Sunshine' Caines built it in 1991 with $40 and a lot of nerve.
The Experience
You'll spot Sunshine's from a mile down Pinney's Beach: a patchwork of driftwood, bright paint, and a forest of national flags left by decades of visitors. Order at the shack, then plant yourself at a picnic table in the sand or a lounger under a palm. The soundtrack is soca, reggae, and the crack of coconut shells; the crowd is a Caribbean crossroads of local fishermen, Four Seasons honeymooners, day-trippers off the St. Kitts ferry, and the occasional A-lister (Beyoncé, Travolta and Kevin Bacon have all pulled up a stool). Service runs on island time — lean into it. By late afternoon the sunset over St. Kitts turns the whole beach gold, and by the second Killer Bee you'll understand why regulars have been coming back for 30-plus years.
What to Try
The Killer Bee rum punch ΓÇö a fluorescent, honey-tinged concoction whose recipe Sunshine has famously never divulged (and which packs a genuine sting; one is plenty, two is a commitment). For food, go straight for the grilled Caribbean lobster split and charred over open flame, or the mahi-mahi caught that morning off Nevis. The jerk chicken with rice and peas is the sleeper hit, and the conch fritters make a perfect Killer Bee sidekick.
Insider Tip
Sundays are legendary ΓÇö a full-on beach party with live music and a lobster-heavy grill that pulls locals from all over the island ΓÇö but that's also when it's most crowded and slowest. For the classic Sunshine's experience without the wait, come TuesdayΓÇôThursday around 1pm: same food, same rum punch, half the crowd, and Sunshine (or one of his sons, who now run much of the operation) is far more likely to sit down and talk story. Bring small US bills for tips and don't expect the card machine to always cooperate.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Pinney's Beach, a short taxi ride (about 10 minutes, roughly EC$30) north of Charlestown, just south of the Four Seasons Resort Nevis. Typically open daily for lunch and drinks from around 11am, with dinner service and later hours on Friday and Sunday nights ΓÇö call ahead as hours flex seasonally. Cash (USD and EC accepted) is safer than cards. Dress code is swimsuit-and-flip-flops; reservations aren't needed for lunch but are smart for Sunday and for dinner. Lobster is market-priced; expect a full meal with a Killer Bee to run US$40ΓÇô70 per person.
Pair It With
- Pinney's Beach stroll — Sunshine's sits on the calmest, palm-fringed stretch of Nevis's signature beach ΓÇö walk it off (or work up a thirst) with a barefoot amble north toward the Four Seasons.
- Lime Beach Bar Guide — A five-minute walk up Pinney's Beach for a change of scenery and a mellower vibe when Sunshine's is in full party mode.
- Four Seasons Resort Nevis Guide — The luxury neighbor whose construction crew were Sunshine's very first customers in 1991 ΓÇö worth a peek for the contrast, and their spa is a smart post-Killer-Bee recovery plan.
- Charlestown ferry & Saturday market — Pair a morning at Charlestown's colorful market and museums with an afternoon collapse at Sunshine's ΓÇö the classic Nevis one-two.