Pub crawl! If ever a cruise line was made for bar hopping, it’s Virgin Voyages. Its similar “Girl Ships” have been imagined as grownup playgrounds, and when grownups are having enjoyable, you already know alcohol is commonly part of the equation. (Not that it must be.)
Not all bars are created equal, although, and on a brief four- or five-night crusing, you need to prioritize. So I vowed to find which bars are one of the best on the ship — and which you’ll be able to 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 prime picks for an evening out or a singular 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 a large 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 further factors as a result of, on sea days, it serves a stunning afternoon tea. Sip tea and nibble scones and finger sandwiches, with or and not using a Champagne add-on, just like the lord or girl you already know 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 favor 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 further occurring on Scarlet Evening while you would possibly catch an impromptu efficiency and even get a hush-hush invite to a secret occasion.
Finest drink: For those who’re not ingesting straight-up Champagne, espresso martinis are all the craze at Sip. They’ll hold you energized for the late-night partying forward of you.
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Associated: One of the best 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 high traffic space on Deck 6. It is below the steps from the Roundabout atrium and you may move it in your approach between dinner, the outlets, the on line casino, evening membership and efficiency house. 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 things — counter seating in a darkish, cavelike location, dialog nooks within the again by the home windows and excellent people-watching perches throughout from the outlets. The ship’s roving magician might make an look and delight you with some card tips. 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, based on my server, is The Entertainer. It’s truly 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 definitely an entertaining expertise value ordering no less than as soon as.
The Dock Home Bar
Vibe: Fake you’re chilling at an elegant Mediterranean resort while you make your method 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 (identical menu), are, in my thoughts, essentially the most enticing hangout areas on board. The comfortable sofa seating dotted with (pretend) greenery, the outside clusters of low wood tables and chairs, and the Greek-inspired white-and-blue bar really feel subtle but inviting. You are 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 method 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 ingesting? I would like one!”
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Grounds Membership
Vibe: The ship’s model of Starbucks is equally comfortable to serve you a croissant (without spending a dime) 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 fashionable with cruise visitors 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 choice.
The Grounds Membership is surrounded by cozy seating areas and a communal desk with shops on your laptop computer. It’s an incredible place to speak with mates, work in your Instagram influencer standing or test your work e-mail — although the latter is significantly frowned upon.
Finest drink: The Angeleno is a well-liked alternative for iced espresso lovers; it’s made with espresso, vanilla and ice — shaken, not stirred. My vote for a Scarlet Girl-inspired choice could be scorching chocolate with a shot of Bailey’s. It’s a little bit bit playful and a little bit 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 positively need 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 when you’re a fan, that is the place you need 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 essentially the most distinctive on board. For those who can’t rating a reservation, come on down for a drink. I might charge this bar increased for its unimaginable tequila and mezcal menu, however it’s not a stand-alone venue, so the bar space could be loud and crowded throughout dinner service.
Finest drink: Hop on the newest foodie development and order the It’s Like Crickets in Right here drink – with actual crunchy crickets on prime. 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 outside lounge for the rockstar set (that’s, visitors 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 scorching tub or reclining on day beds on this uncrowded solar terrace. The bar will serve no matter drink you want however don’t destroy 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 when you can rock that VIP standing, it is best to positively do it.
Finest drink: Free Champagne throughout night comfortable hours, after all!
Associated: Bubbly, please: You’ll be able to order Champagne wherever onboard this cruise by shaking your cellphone
Pink Bar
Vibe: The identify says all of it — all the things on this bar is purple. It’s arduous to seek 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 a little bit screwball, which pairs properly with Razzle Dazzle’s whimsical vibe. It could possibly be a enjoyable cocktail bar, however the Pink 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 need 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 vital 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.
Health club & Tonic
Vibe: What’s billed as a post-workout bar is mostly a pool bar with a aspect of smoothies, recent juices and “reset cocktails” claiming to supply hydration and cleaning. We received’t inform when 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 truly wandered across the gymnasium, confusedly on the lookout for the bar (and never desirous to ask a health teacher the place to discover a cocktail at midday). The Health club & Tonic Bar is close to the health heart however it’s instantly adjoining to a multi-person scorching 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 glorious in all of your photographs.
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The Athletic Membership Bar
Vibe: You learn that proper – it’s one other gym-themed bar on Scarlet Girl. This one is behind the ship, throughout from some lounge seating and the web (actually robust netting strung over the ocean and The Dock many decks under). 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 exhibiting 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 social gathering, the place cruisers for actual placed on sleepwear and dance at nighttime. 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 yet one more of Virgin’s hide-and-seek bars. The wood bar with its ship’s bell and octopus decor looks as if 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 recent spot for daytime trivia.
Costs: Signature cocktails $9 to $13, beer $6 to $9, wines by the glass $7 to $11. You can even get teams of photographs to serve 4 or 5 individuals for $35 to $45.
The TPG take: After stopping by the Unfastened Cannon a number of instances 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 until they’re popping by to seize a soda or beer to go together with their scorching canine and wings from the Social Membership Diner subsequent door. So when you just like the “nauti” vibe, put in your considering cap and present up for the daytime mind-benders.
Finest drink: Maybe a Pink Bull will provide you with some further oomph for that aggressive trivia. Taking photographs will assure you a last-place end.
Draught Haus
Vibe: The bros would come right here for beer and photographs 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 Evening.
Costs: Beer (on faucet, in cans or in bottles) $5 to $15, photographs and shot-tails $5 to $8, boiler makers $9 to $15.
The TPG take: Confession: We by no means acquired to check out the Draught Haus as a result of 6 p.m. was simply too early for photographs, and after we returned at 11 p.m., it was already closed. That stated, we by no means noticed anybody ingesting 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 might need to be OK with ingesting alone when you don’t need 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 artistic cocktails, you’ll positively need to work your approach 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 solid.
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