Pub crawl! If ever a cruise line was made for bar hopping, it’s Virgin Voyages. Its similar “Girl Ships” had been imagined as grownup playgrounds, and when grownups are having enjoyable, alcohol is commonly part of the equation. (Not that it needs to be.)
Not all bars are created equal, although, and on a brief four- or five-night crusing, it’s important to prioritize. So I vowed to find which bars are the most effective on the ship — and which you’ll skip.
From martinis to margaritas, I attempted each bar on Scarlet Girl (the primary of the road’s three ships) and ranked them from finest to worst. Listed below are my high picks for an evening out or a novel libation — and which venues did not reside as much as the hype.
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Sip
Vibe: This elegant Champagne lounge was my favourite bar on board — and I don’t even like Champagne! The venue brings the luxe really feel with gauzy white curtains, curved seating centered round big porthole home windows and an enormous bedazzled bottle of bubbly. It’s the place to see and be seen within the night; clearly, it was everybody else’s favourite bar, as nicely.
Sip will get additional factors as a result of, on sea days, it serves a stunning afternoon tea. Sip tea and nibble scones and finger sandwiches, with or with out a Champagne add-on, just like the lord or girl your self to be.
Costs: Champagne by the glass runs $21 to $65, wines $8 to $29 and signature cocktails $13 to $14.
The TPG take: Whether or not you like bubbly or bourbon, this bar is a not-to-be-missed night vacation spot. Collect your posse ‘spherical between dinner and the present and scope out everybody’s night apparel. It’s additional occurring on Scarlet Night time if you may catch an impromptu efficiency and even get a hush-hush invite to a secret occasion.
Finest drink: For those who’re not consuming straight-up Champagne, espresso martinis are all the fad at Sip. They’ll maintain you energized for the late-night partying forward of you.
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Associated: The most effective cruise ship bars
On the Rocks
Vibe: Everybody finally ends up at On the Rocks in some unspecified time in the future, because the martini and cocktail bar is likely one of the largest on board and is in a heavy-traffic space on Deck 6. It is beneath the steps from the Roundabout atrium and you may go it in your method between dinner, the outlets, the on line casino, night time membership and efficiency area. Small-group musical acts change off all through the night, so there’s at all times one thing happening.
Costs: Signature cocktails value $13 to $17, beer $6 to $12.
The TPG take: I didn’t hang around at this bar sufficient, solely discovering how enjoyable the late-night jazzy quartet was on the finish of my cruise. The bar has all the pieces — counter seating in a darkish, cavelike location, dialog nooks within the again by the home windows and ideal people-watching perches throughout from the outlets. The ship’s roving magician might make an look and delight you with some card methods. Don’t dismiss it as simply an atrium bar — On the Rocks is a vacation spot.
Finest drink: The number-one drink at On the Rocks, in accordance with my server, is The Entertainer. It’s really two drinks in a single, a syrupy-sweet concoction of Absolut Vanilla, ardour fruit puree and lime served with a shot glass of glowing wine. You chop the candy cocktail with the dry wine, and it really works — till the shot runs out quicker than the martini glass. It’s actually an entertaining expertise value ordering no less than as soon as.
The Dock Home Bar
Vibe: Faux you’re chilling at an elegant Mediterranean resort if you make your technique to the Dock Home Bar, the tucked-away pre-dinner drink spot off the principle Dock Home lounge.
Costs: Signature cocktails run $11 to $15.
The TPG take: The Dock Home and its alfresco counterpart, The Dock (similar menu), are, in my thoughts, probably the most engaging hangout areas on board. The comfy sofa seating dotted with (faux) greenery, the out of doors clusters of low wood tables and chairs, and the Greek-inspired white-and-blue bar really feel refined but inviting. You’re feeling like a film star.
Strike up a dialog along with your neighbor or the pleasant bartenders on the 10-seat Dock Home Bar earlier than you make your technique to your subsequent meal.
Finest drink: The Golden Horizon is a colourful drink that’s a play on a Tequila Dawn. It combines tequila, passionfruit liqueur, honey and recent basil right into a refreshing drink that can have everybody stopping you to ask, “What are you consuming? I need one!”
Associated: Too hip or simply proper? Here is what it was actually like crusing on Virgin Voyages for the primary time
Grounds Membership
Vibe: The ship’s model of Starbucks is equally completely satisfied to serve you a croissant (without cost) or a espresso drink with a shot of Bailey’s. Busiest within the morning, the Grounds Membership additionally has an outpost in The Galley on Deck 15, so that you don’t must journey decks between your caffeine repair and your morning meal.
Costs: From $3 to $6 for Intelligentsia Espresso, Jojo Tea, chilly brews, iced drinks and lattes.
The TPG take: I rated this espresso bar extremely as a result of it’s common with cruise friends and is surrounded by inviting hangout areas. Plus, the choice to adult-ify your caffeine with a shot of alcohol is a enjoyable, very Virgin possibility.
The Grounds Membership is surrounded by cozy seating areas and a communal desk with shops to your laptop computer. It’s an awesome place to speak with pals, work in your Instagram influencer standing or verify your work electronic mail — although the latter is significantly frowned upon.
Finest drink: The Angeleno is a well-liked selection for iced espresso lovers; it’s made with espresso, vanilla and ice — shaken, not stirred. My vote for a Scarlet Girl-inspired possibility could be sizzling chocolate with a shot of Bailey’s. It’s slightly bit playful and slightly bit naughty, which is completely the vibe of this ship.
Pink Agave Bar
Vibe: The tiny bar on this elevated Mexican restaurant is much less of a vacation spot than a ready space, however you’ll undoubtedly wish to order a cocktail to pair along with your meal at Pink Agave. Nevertheless, the ship has the biggest assortment of mezcal and tequila at sea, so should you’re a fan, that is the place you wish to order.
Costs: Spiked aqua fresca $9, tequila $9 to $83, mezcal $9 to $47 and signature cocktails $11 to $16.
The TPG take: Whether or not you pony as much as the bar or come for dinner, Pink Agave’s bar menu is probably the most distinctive on board. For those who can’t rating a reservation, come on down for a drink. I might charge this bar greater for its unbelievable tequila and mezcal menu, but it surely’s not a stand-alone venue, so the bar space might be loud and crowded throughout dinner service.
Finest drink: Hop on the most recent foodie development and order the It’s Like Crickets in Right here drink – with actual crunchy crickets on high. The drink itself blends mezcal with ancho reyes and citrus. If that grosses you out because it does me, the off-menu flavored margaritas are scrumptious.
Richard’s Rooftop Bar
Vibe: Sure, Scarlet Girl has a keycard-access-only unique out of doors lounge for the rockstar set (that’s, friends booked into Rockstar Suites). The all-white design with iridescent windbreaker partitions provides to the VIP really feel, and from 5 to six p.m., Champagne flows freely to everybody cool sufficient to have entry.
Costs: Cocktails $10 to $13, beer and cider $5 to $9, wine and Champagne by the glass $7 to $65, espresso $3 to $5.
The TPG take: I ought to’ve spent extra time lounging within the sizzling tub or reclining on day beds on this uncrowded solar terrace. The bar will serve no matter drink you want however don’t spoil the vibe by ordering one thing in a can. Solely a choose few can entry this top-deck hideaway, and I do know it’s elitist, however should you can rock that VIP standing, it is best to undoubtedly do it.
Finest drink: Free Champagne throughout night completely satisfied hours, in fact!
Associated: Bubbly, please: You’ll be able to order Champagne wherever onboard this cruise by shaking your cellphone
Crimson Bar
Vibe: The title says all of it — all the pieces on this bar is purple. It’s exhausting to search out, although, because it’s tucked away within the again room of the Razzle Dazzle restaurant.
Costs: Signature cocktails vary from $11 to $17, beers from $6 to $9 and wines by the glass from $7 to $15.
The TPG take: The bar and its drinks are slightly screwball, which pairs properly with Razzle Dazzle’s whimsical vibe. It may very well be a enjoyable cocktail bar, however the Crimson Bar primarily serves diners consuming on the restaurant or those that arrived early for his or her reservation. The all-red decor and diner-style seating merely aren’t that inviting, so it’s not a vacation spot bar the place you’d wish to hang around.
Finest drink: The popcorn old school is a mixture of Buffalo Hint bourbon, fig, agave and Angostura bitters, topped with a handful of popcorn and served in a red-and-white-striped container that resembles an old-school popcorn bag.
The Aquatic Membership Bar
Vibe: Each ship has to have a bar by the principle pool space, and the Aquatic Membership is Scarlet Girl’s model. Get pleasure from your sea time, understanding the refreshing beers and pina coladas are shut at hand.
Costs: Cocktails (recent and frozen) run $11 to $13, beers $5 to $9, and nonalcoholic drinks $5 to $6.
The TPG take: Scarlet Girl’s pool bar is nothing particular — the identical as all cruise ship pool bars. It runs the center of the pack for being a needed service that gives nicely for the solar worshippers and pool dippers on these busy-with-relaxation sea days.
Finest drink: If you wish to really feel self-righteous whereas sipping a frozen umbrella drink, order the thin pina, made with Bacardi rum, coconut milk, lime and Kelvin Slush Co. pina colada combine that’s USDA natural, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free and kosher.
Gymnasium & Tonic
Vibe: What’s billed as a post-workout bar can be a pool bar with a facet of smoothies, recent juices and “reset cocktails” claiming to supply hydration and cleaning. We received’t inform should you select to ditch your inexperienced juice for a thin pina as an alternative.
Costs: Juices value from $7 to $10, and smoothies and signature cocktails are $11 to $13.
The TPG take: We really wandered across the health club, confusedly searching for the bar (and never desirous to ask a health teacher the place to discover a cocktail at midday). The Gymnasium & Tonic Bar is close to the health middle but it surely’s instantly adjoining to a multi-person sizzling tub. A juice bar is a good concept, and a smoothie was refreshing after a booty burn class, however some signage would assist.
Finest drink: The Within the Tropics smoothie is each scrumptious and vibrant magenta, so it seems to be wonderful in all of your pictures.
Associated: Detox and retox: I attempted 6 of Virgin Voyages’ free health courses, and here is the way it went
The Athletic Membership Bar
Vibe: You learn that proper – it’s one other gym-themed bar on Scarlet Girl. This one is in the back of the ship, throughout from some lounge seating and the online (actually sturdy netting strung over the ocean and The Dock many decks beneath). So the place’s the Athletic Membership? Proper across the nook – the place an enclosed sports activities court docket, alfresco boxing ring and exercise stations cater to exhibitionists displaying off their muscle tissue.
Costs: Smoothies $10 to $11, elixirs and power drinks $5 to $9, cocktails $9 to $13, many issues in cans (seltzers, cocktails, wine, beer, sports activities drinks) $5 to $13.
The TPG take: The Athletic Membership actually shines in the course of the first-night pajama celebration, the place cruisers for actual placed on sleepwear and dance in the dead of night. Past that occasion, the bar appeared primarily used for early-evening or sundown meetups and was fairly quiet. Or perhaps you really want that beer after a spherical of basketball?
Finest drink: Yaya kombucha – as a result of what different cruise line serves kombucha at its alfresco sundown bar?
The Unfastened Cannon
Vibe: This nautically themed bar is one more of Virgin’s hide-and-seek bars. The wood bar with its ship’s bell and octopus decor looks like it was stolen from the highest deck of a clipper ship and transplanted indoors on Scarlet Girl, subsequent to the Social Membership recreation room. In actual life, it’s the new spot for daytime trivia.
Costs: Signature cocktails $9 to $13, beer $6 to $9, wines by the glass $7 to $11. You can too get teams of pictures to serve 4 or 5 individuals for $35 to $45.
The TPG take: After stopping by the Unfastened Cannon a number of occasions and by no means seeing anybody there, we requested a crew member when it was occurring. He stated that folks come for trivia – and no different time except they’re popping by to seize a soda or beer to go along with their sizzling canine and wings from the Social Membership Diner subsequent door. So should you just like the “nauti” vibe, put in your considering cap and present up for the daytime mind-benders.
Finest drink: Maybe a Crimson Bull gives you some additional oomph for that aggressive trivia. Taking pictures will assure you a last-place end.
Draught Haus
Vibe: The bros would come right here for beer and pictures if the industrial-styled Draught Haus weren’t hidden in a nook of the ship’s atrium the place nothing a lot occurs – besides maybe on Scarlet Night time.
Costs: Beer (on faucet, in cans or in bottles) $5 to $15, pictures and shot-tails $5 to $8, boiler makers $9 to $15.
The TPG take: Confession: We by no means received to check out the Draught Haus as a result of 6 p.m. was simply too early for pictures, and after we returned at 11 p.m., it was already closed. That stated, we by no means noticed anybody consuming right here, so I’m undecided when and if this bar will get visitors.
Finest drink: Virgin’s customized beer is Stray the Course, crafted by the Wynwood Brewing Firm. If I drank beer, I’d begin with that one since you may solely discover it on board Virgin Voyages’ ships. Nevertheless, you may need to be OK with consuming alone should you don’t wish to take your drink to go.
Backside line
Scarlet Girl has a bar for each event, from poolside refreshment to after-dinner enjoyable along with your squad.
For those who wish to check out inventive cocktails, you’ll undoubtedly wish to work your method across the ship and check out all of the bars on board. For those who’re a social drinker, join the ship’s Grog Stroll, a well-liked extra-fee pub crawl, full with video games and actions to get to know your fellow cruisers and the ship’s Happenings forged.
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