Jamaica’s legendary Floyd’s Pelican Bar, an iconic tourism landmark situated offshore St. Elizabeth, has triumphantly reopened after sustaining severe damage from consecutive hurricanes Beryl and Melissa. The celebrated bar, constructed on stilts in the Caribbean Sea, has been restored through a collaborative partnership between local stakeholders and beverage giant Red Stripe.
The reopening ceremony, themed ‘Southside Resurrection,’ signifies a crucial milestone in revitalizing the south coast’s tourism-dependent economy and supporting adjacent communities. The rehabilitation project forms part of Red Stripe’s broader corporate initiative to bolster community tourism and assist small business recovery throughout Jamaica.
Floyd Forbes, the bar’s founder and namesake, expressed profound emotional relief following the devastation. “Witnessing the catastrophic post-hurricane damage left me uncertain about reconstruction possibilities,” Forbes acknowledged. “The collaborative assistance from Red Stripe and community members transformed recovery into reality. Observing boats returning today sparked genuine happiness. We’re fully prepared to host visitors once more.”
The bar’s prolonged closure had created economic ripples across a network of local entrepreneurs including boat operators, tour guides, artisans, and food vendors who depend significantly on daily tourist visits. With the landmark’s restoration, economic normalcy has returned for numerous families whose livelihoods are intrinsically connected to the attraction.
Red Stripe’s involvement extended beyond structural repairs to address broader community needs. Local tour guide Ackeem Blake, who transports visitors to the bar daily, celebrated resumed operations after weeks of forced inactivity. “Many of us faced unemployment following the storms, so reactivated business brings tremendous relief,” Blake stated. “Pelican Bar consistently supports community welfare—when it thrives, everyone benefits.”
Jason Henzell, proprietor of Jakes Hotel in Treasure Beach, emphasized the establishment’s socioeconomic significance. “Pelican represents more than merely a watering hole—it embodies community tourism in practice,” Henzell emphasized. “Red Stripe intervened decisively after both hurricanes without hesitation. This establishment sustains thousands of livelihoods. Numerous families can provide sustenance thanks to Floyd and Pelican’s cultural representation.”
Early indicators show renewed economic activity throughout Parottee Bay, with fishermen, craftspeople, and vendors resuming regular operations as visitors recommence the brief marine pilgrimage to this beloved Jamaican institution.