Someday Dreams of the Soggy Dollar Bar: Uncommon Envy
Despite being born and raised right next door in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I haven’t much traveled in the BVI’s. Just a quick couple visits to Tortola and a brief stop off in Virgin Gorda, that’s it. Little wonder then that my envy hackles have been up BIG TIME during the past few days of our Uncommon Caribbean Sailing Week coverage.
All week we’ve showcased sun-kissed shores and hidden hot spots you might encounter when casting off on Intrepid Travel’s new BVI and Martinique/St. Lucia Sailing Adventures. Both itineraries look amazingly enticing to me, but the BVI’s stand out for all the cool, as yet undiscovered by me, places in my very own V.I. backyard. Places like The Soggy Dollar Bar.
Set right on the beach in White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, The Soggy Dollar is so legendary and uncommon a Caribbean watering hole, that I’m somewhat stunned to have never set foot here!
I mean, the place has all the makings for me. A mostly outdoor setting in the sand; random flags, stickers, and patches left behind by happy patrons; strong drinks; an insanely pristine beach – what’s not to love?
Stiff drinks and good times have been served to many a passing sailor here since the early-1970s, all of whom covered their tabs with currency befitting the bar’s name.
You see, there weren’t any paved roads (or electricity) in Jost Van Dyke til the late-1990s. The only way to get to Soggy’s was by boat, and there was no dock to the beach to help you keep your cash dry.
There’s a road to Soggy’s now, but I get the sense that the majority of visitors here still arrive by boat, anchoring in White Bay (there’s still no dock) and wading ashore, thus ensuring a pocket full of soggy dollars.
And what might those soggy dollars buy you at the bar? Well, no doubt any rum/cocktail lover will want to get in on The Soggy Dollar’s biggest claim to fame – The Original Painkiller!
That’s right, our favorite boat drink was first concocted right here at The Soggy Dollar!
Seriously, how is it that I’ve never been here?!
I hope to realize my Soggy Dollar dreams in 2014 with the help of our friends at Intrepid Travel. If you want to come along, visit Intrepid online and book your BVI Sailing Adventure today!
*Lead photo credit: Willy Volk via Flickr.