REVIEW : Harbour Lights Beach Extravaganza and Dinner Show, Barbados

I had no idea what to expect from Harbour Lights. It was described to me as a party on the beach with a full on Bajan Vibe; expect singing and dancing and a super fun way to spend an evening in balmy Barbados.

On entering, Harbours Lights is like entering a nightclub (well how I remember a night club the last time I went about 20 years ago). You queue up, get your food tickets at the door, get a stamp on your hand and walk through to the bar to receive your complimentary rum punch. It’s quite gawdy and dark and at first I wasn’t impressed.

BUT then you walk outside where the show is going to take place and you’re taken aback with the space as it transforms itself into a beach party cabana on steroids.

HARBOUR LIGHTS BEACH EXTRAVAGANZA AND DINNER SHOW

Large decked terrace with long bars, that lead down to the beach arena complete with dancefloor, stage, wooden tables and chairs, bar and food station, surrounded by beautiful large palms trees that rustle in the breeze.

As the sun sets, the lights are turned on and the music is turned up, you can just make out the sound of the waves crashing in the background; the moon is big, bright and shining in the black night but beneath this canopy of palm trees and moonlight, you sink your feet into the sand as you grab a seat, you turn the straw towards your mouth to drink down the cocktails, and you dunk your fishcakes into some Bajan hot sauce; all at once every care in the world dissolves. Barbados once again weaves its magic on your heart and soul.

This is without a doubt a tourist hotspot. There is no getting away from that and the whole show is set around welcoming you to the island. There are people from across the globe – Nigeria, to Japan, Germany, India, Canada and Scotland.

The show commences with showgirls in all their feathered fare. It’s fast paced and you move quickly through the acts that range from song covers like Eddy Grant’s Electric Avenue; dancing acts that pulsate to the rhythms of Africa and Barbados; fire eaters and limbo dancers, there’s stilt walkers and acrobats. It’s 3 hours where you get to immerse yourself in the rhythms of Barbados’ culture.

During the show there is an interval where you can enjoy a Bajan style BBQ. At the start of the night you choose what you want for dinner – steak, chicken, veggie etc. We opted for steak and the chicken kebabs. Dinner was okay for what it was. Plenty of carbs to choose from – coleslaw, macaroni pie, breadrolls etc.

Dessert was toasted marshsmallows provided by two young men setting the marshmallows on fire from one of the fire lights. Entertaining yes, a crowd pleaser yes, edible no. No matter, you’re really not here for the food.

There is also a list of complimentary cocktails behind the bar that you can drink from all night during the show. Bottled, cold, some sugary sweet, some alcoholic, all very pleasing.

Ask a local about Harbour Lights and they’ll tell you that it’s not somewhere that they would go to; but as I said before, this is for the tourist and I encourage any first time visitors to the island to go here at least once. It’s joyful, it’s happy, it’s entertaining and you’ll leave with the biggest smile on your face, humming a Bajan beat. It sets the tone for the holiday – pure happiness!

How to book:

The Caribbean Dinner Shows run on Mondays and Wednesdays. last approx 3 hour and cost USD97 or £80. You can book via their website at www.harbourlightsbarbados.rezdy.com

My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10 (just because the food was nice but not amazing)