Get into the groove: Barbados's best music and nightlife spots

At a glance: Locals recommend the places where Bajan music is at its bestWhat: How to get an authentic musical experience in BarbadosWhere: The best beach bars, festivals and rum shops on the islandDon’t miss: Live reggae that makes that first rum punch taste even sweeterHighlight: Crop Over, a summer-long celebration of Barbadian music, masquerade, food and cultureTravel tip: Book with Virgin Atlantic Holidays and the expert team will share even more tips for experiencing Barbados's vibrant music sceneAlongside soca, calypso, reggae and jazz, the island gave rise to spouge, a distinctly Barbadian genre developed by musical innovator Jackie Opel in the 1960s.The focal point of Barbados’s cultural calendar is Crop Over, pictured above, a three-month celebration of Barbadian music, arts, food and heritage that culminates in the Grand Kadooment finale in August. But music is the Bajan way of life, and you’ll be treated to killer sounds whether you’re at a cocktail bar after dark or a beach shack the morning after. Expand your musical knowledge of this island paradise: traditional tuk bands, calypso tents, vibrant Pic-O-De-Crop and Foreday Morning events, and Landship folk traditions are all here for you to explore. Discover where to feel the rhythm and join the locals in a little Bajan shuffle, as recommended by island experts, including the Virgin Atlantic Holidays team. And if you book your Barbados getaway with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, the party starts even before you land on the island — from the excitement of planning your trip with knowledgeable agents to getting the five-start treatment when you step onboard your flight. Cue sun-soaked soca rhythms...The best music venues and bars in BarbadosFrom international grooves to homegrown ska-inspired rhythms, in clubs and at beach bars, music and dancing are part of Barbados’s DNAGetty ImagesA beach bar with mirror balls among the palms“I adore La Cabane on Batts Rock, St. James. It hosts the best in international grooves that fit perfectly with its beach bar tiki aesthetic. You’ll find reggae, bossa nova, electronica, house, disco and even jazz here. There are mirror balls in the palm trees, feet in the sand and great cocktails. They even have special events: one Christmas, I was asked to do a guest performance and we moved a grand piano onto the sand for me to play for the night. I had the whole beach requesting songs and singing along, even the servers.” — Jeremy Goddard runs the live music-focused jazz bar and dance venue Jeremy’s, BarbadosReggae worth going out on a Sunday for“Rite Side of Red is a band whose members come from different cultural backgrounds but share one thing in common: they play and sing straight from the soul. Their music captures the warmth, rhythm and spirit that makes Barbados so special. They play at Surfers Bay beach bar in Silver Sands on a Sunday. It's the perfect spot for anyone who wants to let loose, meet great people and enjoy some of the best live reggae on the island.” — Papa Jules is co-founder and head of vibes at La Cabane, BarbadosWhether they are laid-back or lively, Barbadian beach bars are great places to soak up local sounds and good vibesBarbados Tourism Marketing Inc.Late-night karaoke with the locals“We have a rum shop culture in Barbados, which is very much like British pub culture — everyone has their local. They’re very casual, and a lot of them will go on late at night and then turn into a kind of karaoke bar. Lemon Arbour in the parish of Saint John is a more well-known one — it’s turned into more of a restaurant. It's still super-casual, but you’ll see everyone from the prime minister to the farmer next door there.” — Malou Morgan is a Bajan mum who runs Skip to Malou, a family travel and lifestyle blogWhere to dance in BarbadosThe annual Crop Over festival is an island-wide celebration of Bajan music and cultureBarbados Tourism Marketing Inc.Experience Crop Over, Barbados’ biggest festival“During Crop Over, you can feel the buzz as soon as you land on the island. There’s something to do everywhere you turn, as well as endless soca and calypso parties. My best experience was at an event called 10-to-10 at Wadadah Club, which literally ran from 10pm to 10am. I left at 9am, but only because I had to go to a press conference!” — DJ Martin Jay is a Caribbean music specialistDance until the early hours at a lime“When Bajans want to de-stress, they go liming. Liming is a cornerstone of Bajan social life: spending unhurried time with friends and family, whether over drinks at a rum shop, beside the beach or out dancing after dark. In Carlisle Bay, locals and tourists party until the wee hours at Harbour Lights, a Bridgetown beachfront club that puts together a full-blown Beach Extravaganza Dinner Show on Mondays and Wednesdays, with stilt walkers and fire-eaters adding to the atmosphere.” — From the editors of The Ins and Outs of BarbadosJoin the party at the cricket“Book a ticket in the Party Stand of the Kensington Oval to watch the West Indies play cricket. There's sand, loungers, bars, food, a pool and some sport happening in the background. Take sunscreen if you go in the day. You'll need your dancing trousers if you go to a game under lights.” — Rhiannon Jones is a customer care advisor for Virgin Atlantic and has a house in Half Moon Fort, Saint Lucy, in BarbadosEscape to Barbados via BatterseaReady to find your Bajan rhythm? This August, Virgin Atlantic Holidays and Visit Barbados are bringing a taste of island life to Battersea Power Station with three days of food, music, movement and plenty of reasons to start dreaming about the real thing. From Thursday 27 to Saturday 29 August, follow the sound of live steel pans, soak up the energy of carnival performers and Bajan DJs, or pick up a paddle and try your hand at road tennis, Barbados’s very own national sport. You can personalise a coconut, tuck into authentic Bajan street food and sip island-inspired drinks along the way. Warning: you may leave with Barbados firmly at the top of your holiday list. If you do find yourself wanting the real thing, the Virgin Atlantic Holidays team will be right there. From finding the right hotel to helping you plan a trip packed with the experiences you don’t want to miss, they can help turn that taste of Barbados into your next getaway. Visit here for more information.Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic HolidaysDream, plan and book Barbados with Virgin Atlantic Holidays Whether your idea of Barbados is switching off on a beautiful beach, getting stuck into island adventures or experiencing as much authentic Bajan food, music and culture as possible, Virgin Atlantic Holidays can help you make it happen. With Virgin Atlantic Holidays, you can create a Barbados holiday that feels completely yours, thanks to direct Virgin Atlantic flights, hand-picked hotels and holiday experts ready to help you plan the details.Visit your local Virgin Atlantic Holidays storeSpeak to one of the Virgin Atlantic Holidays experts by calling 0344 209 2768Book online at virginatlantic.com/holidays