Jamaica is not only known for its pristine beaches, pretty waterfalls, and lush jungles; Jamaicans know how to party, so there’s never a shortage of things to do when you want to get your groove on. This blog post will focus specifically on popular parties places in Kingston to party on a Friday night — which is when most of the locals come out to decompress after a busy week of work. Read on for whenever you find yourself in Kingston — a city that truly deserves more attention from tourists.

***Most of the photos in this post are not original, so I apologize in advance for deviations in quality***

TGI Friday’s (to start off the night)

I’ve been to Kingston on four different trips, and every time I’ve visited, I went out on Friday nights with my husband. Every outing commenced at the TGI Fridays, located at 51, 6 Hope Rd. Why is a chain restaurant the locale where Kingston professionals meet to “pregame” for the night ahead? I’m not quite sure. The inside of this restaurant is like any other TGI Fridays anywhere else in the world; it’s not like there’s a live DJ and a party taking place. Perhaps it’s because Fridays offers reliable, decent-priced food and drink. But what really gets people enjoying this, I think, is this particular bright blue drink that’s really strong — it’s colloquially called the “Blue Juice” or the “Musgrave” — because after drinking it, you must go to your grave. You’ll see a lot of people drinking it, so you can simply ask the bartender to have what everyone else is having. There will be groups of friends here from all ages and backgrounds — don’t be too shy to say hello and make new friends!

Holy Smokes Grill & Chill

I visited Holy Smoke’s on my most recent trip. This was our next stop after pregaming at Fridays. Holy Smokes is a relatively newer establishment in Kingston’s party scene. The outdoor venue has a large bar, a stage, and multiple covered areas. The Friday night party is called “Fridays after Dark” and there is a cover. The DJ was fantastic and the vibes were on point. There wasn’t a ton of dancing — the party had more of a lounge feel — but it’s definitely the place to notice and be noticed. During the day, the on-site restaurant offers traditional Jamaican food. It also offer Boozy brunches. Check out its Facebook page for more information.

Janga’s Sound Bar

Janga’s Sound Bar is another restaurant that offers parties at night (there’s a lot of those on this list). If you’re looking to go where everyone else is, then Janga’s is your place: the last few times I’ve been there on a Friday night, it was packed to the brim. There’s typically no cover charges, so there’s that! I’ve eaten here on a weekday evening when there isn’t a party, and will definitely recommend the Loaded Fries…so delicious.

Ribbiz UltraLounge

So I’ve never actually been inside Ribbiz, and the reason why is because by the time I get there, they’re at capacity and stop letting people in (next time, I need to get there earlier). Similar to Janga’s, this is where you want to be if you want a lively, crowded party. This restaurant turns into a club late at night and there’s no cover charge (which may explain why it’s always so busy). The kitchen is open late as well, so if you’re out and wanting a good late-night meal, this may be your place. This particular location is located at 29 E Kings House Rd, but there’s a second location situated on the waterfront in downtown Kingston.

CRU Bar and Kitchen

I absolutely love this place. It’s a rooftop restaurant that’s beautifully furnished and decorated, and it offers nice views of the mountains. AND it has an amazing menu with delicious food and drink. I’ve been here for dinner on a quiet Wednesday night and on a Friday night where there’s a live DJ and it turns into more of a lounge party. I think no one can go wrong picking this place. Since it’s a restaurant, I recommend making a reservation, especially if you plan to visit during a Friday night. That way, you can at least have a table to enjoy the food. If you come without a reservation, you may be limited to just standing room. No cover charges, either! They’re also open pretty late every day of the week, so this is a good spot to grab dinner if you get an appetite later in the night.

AC Hotel

The lounge and rooftop bar at the AC Hotel is a favorite among Kingston’s hip millennials and Gen Z. I’ve personally haven’t been (yet), but many people I know in Kingston enjoy going there on Friday nights. Based on the photos alone, this is a great spot if you’re looking for a place that’s picturesque. According to the website, they offer yummy bites to eat as well!

What are some of your favorite places to party in Kingston (or in other parts of Jamaica)? Share in the comments below!