The Joint is Jammin'
The Beach Bar, St. John, USVI

DEEP BACKGROUND: Fruity drinks and beach bars are recurring themes in twangy tunes about the islands. But don't chalk that up to creative genius alone. St. John's Beach Bar, anchoring the end of Wharfside Village, hosts upcoming singer-songwriters on its sandy stretch of Cruz Bay for a week each year, inspiring lovable clichés like "bikini-clad cuties," "gentle breezes" and "latitude adjustments" that find their way into many an island ode.

CAST OF CHARACTERS: The green awning has shaded more than the usual laundry list of doctors, lawyers, locals and sun-drenched tourists. A stream of megastars from Keith Urban to Kid Rock kick back here and even rock the place when the time is right.  

SUSTENANCE: Greasy goodness in a classic Beach Burger or fish and chips is kryptonite to a hangover. Lighter alternatives include Tuna Down Now, made with sushi-grade yellowfin in a light tempura batter, and Crabmeat Wontons. (The kitchen closes at 11 p.m.)

DIVERSIONS: Sunday Jazz encourages a chill afternoon vibe while an ongoing lineup of theme parties keeps the Beach Bar zany. In May's Minimal Regatta, competitors combine basic supplies (plywood, two-by-fours and duct tape) to create an inebriated waterborne race. Connect Four (part checkers, part tic-tac-toe) and bocce ball are on hand, too.

LOCAL KNOWLEGDE: The Beach Bar (340-777-4220; www.beachbarstjohn.com) is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. with live music at least two nights a week. If you see Billy Cruton on the live-music lineup, that means Kenny Chesney's playing a surprise show.