Originally conceived as a kind of refuge/gathering place for people living on their boats in Elizabeth Harbour, Chat ‘N’ Chill Beach Bar & Grill on Stocking Island started out by offering food, drinks, a few beach volleyball courts, and even a non-denominational church service on Sundays.

It has gently evolved – if that’s the right word – over the past 25 plus years into one the Bahamas’ most famous beach bars. A key to its longevity is that the changes along the way have been minor and subtle. Sure, the food is better and the drink selection more varied, but the cool boater-beach bum vibe, so loved by its many fans has, happily, remained intact.

It’s a sprawling property, with a large wooden hut that serves as the bar. There’s seating on the deck surrounding the bar, on some scattered and battered picnic tables (some in the shade of trees) or, as many choose, on a towel on the expansive beach. Swimming attire is definitely recommended. It’s a great place for a cooling dip between drinks.

If volleyball, exploring, swimming or feeding the friendly stingrays that hang around the beach is too active for you, just do what the name suggests – sit back, chat and chill with the staff or fellow guests.

And that’s what this place is all about – no frills chilling. As their slogan says, “just kick back and relax.” As Exuma gets busier and new, fancier places start to pop up on Stocking Island, will it stick to this mantra? I think (and hope) so. Kenneth “KB” Bowe, who founded Chat ‘N’ Chill all those years ago, has plans to add a small restaurant serving traditional Bahamian food, but he also knows full well what makes the place special to so many. I can’t see him messing with that.

What will you have?

Beer:  A range of Bahamian brews from Kalik and Sands, including light versions of both, plus the trendy Michelob Ultra. There’s also a selection of local Radlers (a low alcohol beer-fruit soda mix).

Rum/Cocktails: Mount Gay and Myers on the dark side, with a range of amber and white Bacardi’s, plus frozen tropical cocktails and local specialties, such as the Bahama Mama, Goombay Smash and the tequila-based Bahamamita.

Food: Standard items include BBQ ribs, chicken, shrimp and fish, with burgers (including a tasty conch burger), hot dogs, etc., most served with fries or local sides, such as peas and rice, and macaroni pie. There is also a ramshackle little conch bar that whips up deliciously fresh conch salads, which I highly recommend. A popular pig roast takes place on Sundays. And, as mentioned, there are plans for a traditional Bahamian restaurant.

 Asides

It’s on an island, so you need a boat (or seaplane, I guess) to get there. You can grab a water taxi from the Exuma Yacht Club or Government Dock in George Town for the five-minute ride over if you don’t have your own transportation.

Reflections… 

Chat ‘N’ Chill is salty, rustic and maybe a bit rough around the edges, but in a totally family-friendly way. The no-frills style may not be to everyone’s taste, but for lovers of ‘old-skool’ beach bars, to visit the Exumas and not drop by would be a sin..

IC 2026