Bourbon Beach closed???

My good friend just returned from a ten day vacation in Negril. He told me that Bourbon Beach is closed. Does anyone know if this is a temporary low season closure, or is something else going on, like redevelopment of the property?
Over the years I have enjoyed the super spicy jerk chicken they make. I have fond memories of the many shows I enjoyed at the place when it was called de Bus, and then Bourbon Beach.
My friend reported the begging was the worst he had experienced in all his trips, both in number of times being approached, and in aggressiveness. Hopefully it is a function of the slow season and rainy November.

i hit bourban baech one time each trip. i still think it's the best for jerk chicken. it does seem like business has been bad though last few years.

It's nothing to do with season...but changes seem to be happening....nothing more than rumor at this point.

oh no not another concert venue on shaky grounds or closed

They were not open a few weeks ago when I was there. No shows either much to my disappointment. Their chicken does rock!

Here's to hpin' they're open by Saturday, I was really lookin' forward to an evening there ;)

it never really got any tracton after they moved next door from De Bus....Ms joy was really the driving force behind the great entertainment...Rocky has never been replaced in the Jerk pit and the passing of John finished it off Jimmy never got it off the ground...It has never had the vibe in the last 6 or 7 years or really any succesful shows for that matter...

Depends on what you call successful,
Many shows were successful from the tourists point of view they had some quite big well known performers there and I was lucky enough to catch a few and I have heard of others that have loved shows there and seen the photographs
With no negril escape and no bourbon beach this would only leave the jungle or seastar to be able to see great performers.
Unless alfreds or roots bamboo put something on
Makes me very sad.I have saved for ages for this trip , the longest one yet and the most expensive and I based my holiday in Negril for pretty much my whole stay to see the shows.
Does not even look like there are going to be many if any, I hope someone releases something/anything soon I am beginning to think I made a WRONG decision.

I agree with BRMon - that place was always jumping when it was DeBuss. But I've seen some great shows there after the change over - Mighty Diamonds is what comes to my mind first...

TiC - I'll take a show at Alfreds or Roots Bamboo any day of the week. If indeed Bourbon Beach is closed it won't put a dent in live music venues at all. As a matter of fact, I do believe Alfreds and Roots have hosted a good deal more "well known" acts in the past several years than Bourbon Beach.

I am not saying that there have not been some good shows but they are hit and miss....I am talking about a place that you could hang all day, great vibe, great music, great crowd and almost guarantee that one of the weekly shows would be over the top with way over half the audience being locals and everybody having a great time...Jimmy was the only family member left and he never was able to make it happen. the place now has a very hard feel to it with all the concrete....

Although roots or alfreds may have had more well known acts over the years,
I have actually never seen a well known act at either of those places and every trip I have taken I go to all of the beach bars.
I know they have had acts there as I have heard about it or saw photographs it is just nobody has ever performed every trip I have taken there whereas I could always rely on Bourbon beach for at least one usually 2 parties a week with a well known act thrown in.
I will be sad to see it go.
I enjoy roots bamboo and Alfreds I just never had the opportunity to see a well known act there.Perhaps they have a schedule for certain months and I do not know about it

I hope this is just due to slow season, My hubby and I will both be very dissapointed as this is one of our main stops for spicy jerk chicken. Tictoc, I saw a calander on one of the Jamaican tourist boards that shows a calander of events and Alfreds listed a show in late December. It is a calander of events for all of Negrils restaurants/bars just not sure how accurate they are. I will try to post back with the name.

Ok Tictoc, I found this site while looking for the menu For Bar B Barn, if you scrol down to the very bottom, it will give you a calandar of events. The site is Negril Jamaica Tourist Vidia.

I guess it is sort of hit or miss with shows and artists. I have gone to Bourbon Beach for headliners who didn't show and after hours of being told by an emcee that they were on the way, remained no shows. Nonetheless I have had some fun evenings (sans big artists) there and I do love their jerk chicken.

Hey Alisa that was thoughtful of you to post the event list thanks but I already know the party schedule

I LOVE the party schedule

I am usually found at every one.
I was meaning seeing a well known/famous act The parties are always there but sometimes the big acts are not ,
that is what I meant sorry.

I am not even worried about it now I am just going to chill at The seastar Inn and see what happens.

I know they have not built that stage for nothing;)

i would think there are going to be more places shutting down than opening in the near future, sadly, as business has been generally slow since the economic downturn in 08 ... of course, for the tourists, there are some amazing deals out there, so it's a case of get it while it's hot.

I liked Bourbon Beach, been there many times, and I hope it comes back soon as possible. that said the chicken was SPICY SPICY SPICY!!!!!

How about Reggae Sting 2011?
Its not in Negril of course, but it is always one of the biggest reggae shows around, always the day after Christmas....
Maybe you could make your way to that Tic....just throwing it out there as an option!

Went by Bourbon Beach a few times last week while staying at BBB. No chicken. I hope it is just temporary....

OMG
DeBus was rocking
Best jerk chicken
Best vibes
Yellow Man was scheduled on a November night about 15 years ago. The music played the place was filled with paying customers. About 2:30 am the music stopped and the crowd wandered off. I spyed YellowMan passed out in the drivers seat of a Toyota pickup as I made my way out passed the Bus.
Wild.
Only in Negril!!!!

Well Sting was going to be a last resort for me as it is further out and would require a car and a nanny.
But now Vybz kartel and Buju are locked up they were the ones I would have liked to see and a number of others have said no they are not performing this year.
I will sit back and wait nice and patiently and hope for the best!

I have to say the parties were great at bourbon beach but the drinks service was NOT the rum punches were not very nicely mixed never very cold and always the most expensive on the beach.But I could deal with it if a reggae icon was there! I enjoyed the food.

DeBus was a great place to visit during the older times and I thought it was well-managed and a vibrant environment.

When Bourbon Beach took over it seemed (at least to me) to go steadlly down hill. We had a thread awhile back where some (including me) alluded to the changing vibe and the quality of the service and the general environment surrounding the property. I have known about some questionable goings on there for a few years as I was personally familiar with the owner and some of his friends.

Places that allow "questionable locals" to supervise the runnings don't take too long before they drive away the real clientele who make a business profitable. You can't just live off the seasoned tourist who has little trouble in dealing with aggressive types, poor service and alike. You need to attract new business and to make regulars out of newbies. This is where, in my opinion, Bourbon Beach started to lose its footing and reputation until now it goes by the way of several other businesses in Negril. Perhaps a new owner with new "friends" will make a difference but if you continue to do business like the previous owner; it too will go away in time.

Peace and Guidance

I hope there is some jerked chicken and music when I get there in January :( What a disappointment!

Sunray your friend is right. We are here right now, it's quiet, one of their slowest Novemebers and begging is severe.

Two young guys from New York were mugged at knife point on the beach on Sunday night. Admittedly they were naive to walk on the beach at night and carry much of their holiday money. They had just flown in and were perhaps excited to have arrived.

They walked from Idle Away past the craft market and were mugged at knifepoint in that area around Rooms on the Beach which seems to attract a lot of agresive hustling who hang around all day.

Three men approached them, held knives to their throat and the guys valued their lives so handed over their wallets and passorts.

They reported it to the police, so far they have not found these thugs.

But yes things have gotten more aggressive in Negril, more desperate, and they are turning their anger on the tourists which is ridiculous because if we decide to not return to Negril they are the ones who will suffer.

Yes Bourbon Beach has closed.

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Originally Posted by crystalwaters

Sunray your friend is right. We are here right now, it's quiet, one of their slowest Novemebers and begging is severe.

Two young guys from New York were mugged at knife point on the beach on Sunday night. Admittedly they were naive to walk on the beach at night and carry much of their holiday money. They had just flown in and were perhaps excited to have arrived.

They walked from Idle Away past the craft market and were mugged at knifepoint in that area around Rooms on the Beach which seems to attract a lot of agresive hustling who hang around all day.

Three men approached them, held knives to their throat and the guys valued their lives so handed over their wallets and passorts.

They reported it to the police, so far they have not found these thugs.

But yes things have gotten more aggressive in Negril, more desperate, and they are turning their anger on the tourists which is ridiculous because if we decide to not return to Negril they are the ones who will suffer.

Yes Bourbon Beach has closed.

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This is interesting...we're finding early November to be busier than usual...quite a few vendors have been making the same comments to us...though they may not make these comments to a potential sale.

As far as the unfortunate incident on the beach...it's good common sense advice to not carry more money than you're planning to use that night...nor should you be carrying your passports as they serve no purpose in the evening.

I don't ever want to diminish an unfortunate incident...but when things don't seem to add up, you question the validity of the story. False claims of similar incidents are much more common than many people think. As someone living down here...it's shocked me how common these false claims are & when I hear these stories it always make me wonder what's really going on!

Im pretty sure the Vybz Kartel show at BB for Valentines Day 2010 was a success, which wasnt sooooo long ago.

Bummer that Bourbon Beach has closed. Loved their chicken, but I agree the vibe hasn't been good there.

I wish something would be done about the guys next to Rooms. It wouldn't surprise me if that story was true. There have been problems there for years.

ok.........then who has the hottest chicken on the beach now that BB closed?

In trying to help someone figure out a trip

what would you do in this situation>

They want a room only price plus all inclusive

but then I know they will not be happy with no food or having to go in search of food in the morning so bed and breakfast at a minimum is required in my opinion.

What I have found so far is:

Room only for two weeks at footprints on the sand for
£650 including flight and hotel transfers are $20pp each way but this is ROOM ONLY no food at all also no swimming pool or entertainment but nice area of beach

Then there are a couple of places like samsara or fun holiday beach resort and similar properties charging around :
£800 for bed and breakfast.

For all inclusive I have found fun holiday beach resort to be the lowest priced at around
£1100 everything included.

But fun holiday beach resort only has one buffet and not really any entertainment so for:

£1395 they can get the Riu or special offers at Sandals with 5* and as many dining options pools and a full daily entertainment schedule.

I also looked at my favourite place The Seastar Inn but that would have to be booked seperately airfare is £550 then transfers and their room rate is $100 per night bed and breakfast and their all inclusive price would bring it to a total of
£1340

There is a big jump in price from the room only and the all inclusive options butwould you say it is worth all the extra money to be stuck at the riu or further up the beach away from places they would like to see?

I think fun holiday beach resort is offering a good deal but when you look at the facilities on offer from the 5* resorts I priced up you do get a lot more facilities for your money

What would you choose?

Are there any other options I have not looked at?

What is happening with merrills these days?

This was based on 12th - 26th December

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Originally Posted by TiCtOc

Are there any other options I have not looked at?

What is happening with merrills these days?

This was based on 12th - 26th December

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we really like staying Country Country on the beach which includes a great breakfast of your choice from the menu - check out prices on negrilonestop.com

bnewb you are so wrong. We are staying at the same hotel as the two guys who were mugged and they have no reason to lie. We saw them make a police report. We also saw them on the beach talking to a rasta prior to the mugging.

We warned him about the guy who had been making abusive comments to women who were not interested in his overpriced bracelets. He quoted us $40 for a factory made bangle, we walked away and the guy spewed out a torrent of abuse at us following us down the beach. The security guard at CodolePalm came to our assistance. Several guests at Coco spoke to the guys after they returned and can assure you this story is no 'invention'.

The guys were later mugged on the beach around the area where those agressive scumbags congregate. The types who do not want to work and who prey on tourists and abuse them if they do not receive money.

The whole area from the craft market down to Rooms needs to be cleaned up. The hustling and begging by loafers is agressive and is driving tourists away.

We were at the hotel when the guys returned shocked, we heard thenm call the police and witnessed them makinga reports. If you think this story is an 'invention' I suggest you call the Negril Police department or talk to the secutiy at CocoLe Palm who knows the young men in quesiton and can vouch for the assault which happened.

Begging has become more agressive. Tourism numbers are down, however the thugs who prey on and abuse tourists are biting the hand that feeds them. They need to be dealt with by the police and rounded noff the beach, they need to be made to do some community work or be enlisted in the army. they are harming Negril's image and driving away tourists.

To the lady looking for a nice all inclusive in December I would suggest Merrils, a lovely porperty, reasonably priced and great service. It's one of the best all incluvive hotels in Negril, and small enough to be like a home from home, unlike some of the massive 5 star more expensive resorts which lack the personal touch.

Crystal Waters,
I was thinking merrills could be a good choice too if priced right.Thank you

Also I believe your report could be true.
I am not going to go to the lengths of phoning the police as I already know what is happening lately in Negril (well what people tell me)

If it got to the point of me phoning the local police station that would be my own cue not to go.

I understand bnewbs response though because unfortunately alongside the very real distressing disturbances there will always be a number of people who will make up stories either to try and fiddle insurance people or for other reasons.

I am going to be very wary and alert this trip but there are incidents everywhere but I have heard about a few more this past year or so but how true they all are I really do not know.
I do know it is real and can happen but I also know how many times I have taken all my family to Negril and done a lot of things others would not perhaps do and have never once encountered a problem.

The aggressive salesmen are doing themselves absolutely no favours as when word gets round people will just back off totally or go in the other direction as soon as they see them.It is unfair on the genuine vendors.

I feel I will be quite cautious this trip but not to the extent where I want to check up on things or consider cancelling or anything like that.
In the event of a mugging of myself which I hope would never happen I do not know who would be more upset or mad- me or the mugger as I have nothing worth mugging!
We all have to be very aware of what we are saying and to who and of our surroundings anywhere in the world, that being said there will always be the very unfortunate people who are just at the wrong place at the wrong time and nothing could prevent it.

I have never witnessed any incidents in Jamaica and I hope I never will I think words you say and to whom also has a big effect on things in Jamaica.
For example if you are known as the person first in line to buy whatever substance that is the type of people you will attract

I am first in line for concerts what will I attract:D
NOT sure if it works both ways

Crystalwaters,

Before turning this thread into a battle, please note that Bnewb did not say this unfortunate event (as she described it) did not occur, but only that the situation could sound suspect. She was adding to your comment that the two men may have been naive for carrying the majority of the vacation money with them, as well as their their passports at night on the beach. And now that you state that you had already warned them about the aggressive man on the beach, it would seem that there maybe something more than naivety playing a role. You had already warned them, yet they still made a decision to carry most of their vacation money and passports with them at night.

Bnewb pointed out that since common sense would dictate not to carry the majority of your vacation cash on you at night as well as your passports (there are room safes in the hotel, correct?), when something like this occurs, then it can be suspect.

From my experience, including bringing hundreds of people here each week for Spring Break for several years in the early 90's, to the nearly 20 years living in Jamaica, there are many reason why people choose to make false claims. It can range from planning to scam a hotel before arrival to indulging a bit too much and simply losing the items and feeling stupid about it to wrecking a scooter and claiming it "stolen" to being involved in some nefarious deal that turns bad and one loses their money. These situations do unfortunately occur and not everyone is honest with their explanations, even to the police.

The best lesson that can come from this unfortunate situation is that there is never any possible logical reason to be carrying the majority of your vacation cash on your person, expect for when you arriving directly from the airport. At that point, lock up your money and passsports and other important documents in your room safe when you arrive at your room. Only take what you are willing to spend when you head out at anytime. And there is no need to be carrying your passport at night - no one is going to ask to see your passport. If you are planning on using a credit/debit card, any picture ID will suffice for confirmation identification.

As for the tourism numbers being down causing the situation, while June and September did seem slower this year than usual, October and especially November have picked up to the point where things seem busier now than usual. The situation may actually have more to do with the decrease in remittances than due to any perceived hostility towards visitors. And as with what will happen to the rude guy you mentioned on the beach, the locals and the police in the area will deal with the thugs as they always do once they do something wrong. Even Robert & Maureen at their new place Sunnyside as mentioned in Clarity's trip report have an investment in their business right next to Rooms, and they do not want to lose that investment based upon a few bad apples.

Tictoc you are right, the agressive hustlers do a disservice to the genuine vendors who are polite and offer a genuinely good service. I regularly buy fresh fruit from the lady who walks the beach daily with the basket of fruit on her head. I also buy coconut cake from another vedor. However these hardworking vendors are a world apart from the layabout hustlers who just prey on tourists and who do not want to work.

They need to be cleared off the stretch of the beach as they are doing no favours to the local business and hotels which they congregate next to.

I have oten walked along the beach late at night, and had no problem, it's been well lit, but after this incident I will now think twice about walking after sunset on the beach.

Another suggestion to the lady seeking a good hotel in December is Hidden Paradise, reasonably priced and set in lovely gardens, small homely atmospehere and good management. We love Coco Le Palm, excellent value for the quality provided, and so many repeat customers, we spoke to guests who are on their 15th visit! and this is common.

Very well managed, excellent service, good security, comfortable rooms. Coco has to be one of the best hotels on the beach in Negril

To Rob, yeshis they were certainly naive, but I doubt very much this was an insurance scam. They had flown in from New York, had changed money, hit the beach, had a spliff, supplied by the guy selling the expensive jewlery, then wandered off into the dark down the beach.

They were sitting ducks, and who knows if the guy who sold them the spliffs had not tipped off his pals further down the beach.

Had it been the end of their trip I would have been suspicious, but seeing that they had only just flown in and were eager to spend and experience Negril I feel this was an unfortunate incident from which they will hopefully have learnt a lesson.

Sometimes newbies do dumb things even if they've been warned.

Many years ago Miss G's sister , brother in law and another friend came to visit. We had suggested T Water and so they had two rooms there. We were waiting for then rather than pick then up at Sangster as our vehicle at the time was a Land Rover diesel jeep and was like riding in a concrete block.

They arrived at T Water and I introduced them to Errol and Lionel and told them if the needed anything to ask me or either of them. We went to their rooms and within 15 minutes both guys were missing. I went to the front desk area and inquired if anyone saw them leave and sure enough they had gotten into a private car with a certain well known "bad man".

Luckily I knew both the guy and where he lived in Red Ground. I went up there and believe me it took some bargaining ($) to get them out of that place.

When I asked "WTF were you thinking?" they said that the guy had told them he had the "real" stuff. and off they went.

Go Figure!!

We really hate walking that area between Boat Bar and White Sands. I think it's where the old 24/7 was. It's just a little creepy walking at night. When we walk it we wait for the beach cops or another couple/group and just walk behind them. Something really should be done to make tourists feel more safe in that area.

I think we can all agree that stuffing your pockets with money, wearing bling and carrying your travel documents around at night on the beach is a dumb move.

There is a bad element of locals (actually more of people who move from country to Negril more than people who were born and raised there) who make a living of the soft underbelly of the tourist. Everyone is looking for something and they will supply it if they can or they will simply take your possessions if given an opportunity.

The key word here is "opportunity". Don't make yourself a target in Negril, New York, Miami etc. etc. These people will eventually be dealt with by the local people who are also hurt by these people but don't expect the police to do anything about them.

Just my opinion.

Peace and Guidance

i spent time in negril late sept early october of this year. normally, i would buy a bag of cat food and leave it for herbie's cats . . . this time around, the same routine, mid afternoon, get out of my car and immediately felt unsafe . . . there were about 10 guys i've never seen hanging around herbie's . . . hardcore guys . . . you don't have to be a brain surgin to figure out that it's not a safe place . . . herbie was not around, nor was bobo . . . apparently, we were told that bobo is no longer there . . . i left the cat food and left the area and did not go back . . . the place was in a real disaray . . . that is the same area where the robbery occurred next to rooms . . . i'm a seasoned traveller, if i feel unsafe, i don't linger but move on.