New in Cruz Bay: Castaways
Crazy Cracker’s is out….closing barely a year and a half after it opened….and Castaways is in.
Jeff Quinlan and Dan Boudreau, who worked for Cracker’s former owners, bought the business from them this summer and have reopened the place with what they say is a new vibe.
They also say they’ve run off the hoodlums that used to hang out around the bar.
“It took a couple of weeks to do it, but we’ve got a good relationship with the cops and we wanted this to be a fun and safe place to hang out,” says Jeff, who came to St. John from Florida about 5 years ago.
The interior has yet again been remodeled (this is at least the fourth remake of this place in the last 10 years), there are Happy Hour food and drink specials and live music several nights a week.
And the upper level is now called the Party Deck and has its own separate bar.
“We’ve got a great vibe going and we all like what we do,” Jeff says. “The live music, especially Saturday nights, is phenomenal and the food menu is awesome.”
Castaways is open 7 days a week for lunch, dinner and late nights. (Love the sign out front, below….)
August 27th, 2010 06:01
I miss the old BackYard, that was a great bar.
I wish these guys luck, since the Backyard left, it has not had very good staying power. Hope to check it out in December
August 27th, 2010 06:48
Good luck to you.
I’d like to know how they keep the “hoodlums” out. Buy 1 get 1 for cops?
August 27th, 2010 07:12
I’ll give it six months–max!
August 27th, 2010 07:14
Hope some ole’ Backyard vibes will surround you and make Castaways a success.. we’ll be checking you out this winter.. best wishes! The B. yard had a huge wall of patron photos, that would be cool again.
August 27th, 2010 08:05
Good luck to these folks, but it’s tough to make this place work. I did like it as Duffy’s Love Shack many years ago, but since then it’s been dying a slow death…
August 27th, 2010 10:44
Crazy’s was a solid spot for reasonably priced food fare last year. we visited several times. Sorry to see it go…
August 27th, 2010 18:18
Wow! I did not know the Crazy Cracker people sold the business? Did they sell St. John Inn too?
Good luck to the Castaways. see you in Oct/Nov.
August 27th, 2010 18:40
not sure why SinTin is a hater – but good luck
we enjoyed CC when it 1st opened but earlier this year we walked in and then out because of the hoodlum vibe. We will make sure we visit and say ‘Hi’ next time we are on STJ.
August 28th, 2010 02:56
I like the dry erase sign…at least they have a sense of humor! Wishing the new guys a lot of luck.
August 28th, 2010 07:34
Hope it’s still around in February when I get there!!
August 28th, 2010 09:06
For us old timers, remember the tree in the middle of the floor? It was sad to see that go while it was Duffy’s. Best of luck to the new kids. If they can truly keep the druggies out, then they have a chance. It is tough when that area is where the naughty ones all hang out at night. Too bad the video cam and police don’t do more to crack down on it.
August 28th, 2010 09:56
let me guess…these hoodlums were local boys, right? if you don’t want them at your bar, don’t build it on their island!hmm
August 28th, 2010 12:15
You guys will do great. Note to hoodlums…I wouldn’t mess with the owners or staff of this bar. Love you guys!
September 1st, 2010 18:00
wishing you guys the best of luck….so proud of you….two great guys running a great bar….couldn’t get any better than that…oh yeah it could…maybe a barstool with my name on it!!! Love you
September 1st, 2010 19:49
I’m excited for the new owners & I love the name! With the great bartenders and awesome drink specials I know you guys have, you will definitely see me on my next trip down! $1 margaritas are my favorite
September 1st, 2010 20:13
These guys know how to have a good time! I’m sure that in no time Castaways will be known as the #1 bar on the island by more than just the people that work there!
I know I’ll be there every night when I get in from the states! Best wishes to Dan and Jeff!!!!
September 3rd, 2010 18:23
We just visited Castaways on our vacation a couple days ago and it was so much fun!! Dan and Jeff, you are doing such a great job with the music and renovations and fun drink specials! Food was great and affordable! Mike, you’re the best! Cant wait to come back and see you all again on our vacation next year!!
September 6th, 2010 13:05
They are doing such a great job with the bar!!!! The food is amazing upstairs at the restaurant.. the DogHouse I think its called. Had a surf and turf steak burger and all i can say is WOW!!!!!! it was sooo good, The bar staff was soo much fun and our server was very nice and made us laugh alot. We had such a great time that we definately will be returning again!!!!! Good work guys!!!
January 16th, 2011 14:24
We had a great time at Castaways! $1 drink happy hour is the best! We never felt unsafe while there. Music was great on saturday night. Cheese fries were our favorite appetizer. We hired owner, Jeff, for a charter to the BVI’s. He showed us a very good time. Looking forward to our next trip to the island!
January 28th, 2011 14:14
Castaways and Jeff are AWESOME! It is an excellent place to hang out in between the beach time and dinner. We spent a number of Happy Hours there – which were excellent and economical; and the dinner menu was excellent as well. Live music nights were also very fun and it is a great place to enjoy the evening. Jeff was also the captain of my birthday cruise around the BVIs and he knows how to have a GREAT time.
March 25th, 2011 09:37
We were just in St John and saw Kenny Floyd at Castaways on Thursday night. So much fun! Great place!