C&C Wine Bar
C&C Wine Bar occupies a converted colonial building in Redcliffe Quay, the restored historic district of St. John's. The setting is the first thing you notice: exposed stone walls dating to the 18th century, a courtyard with outdoor seating under string lights, and an interior that blends original architecture with contemporary bar design. The wine list runs deep for a Caribbean venue, with bottles from France, Italy, Chile, South Africa, and other regions, plus a by-the-glass selection that rotates regularly. The cocktail program goes beyond the island standard, with bartenders who understand technique and use fresh ingredients. Capacity is roughly 50 between the indoor bar and courtyard seating. The courtyard is the preferred spot, particularly on warm evenings when the stone walls radiate the day's heat and the string lights create an atmosphere that photographs as well as it feels. The crowd is Antigua's most cosmopolitan: yacht crews from the English Harbour sailing community, expat professionals, well-traveled locals, and tourists who've found their way past the cruise ship shopping zone into the quieter historic quarter. Live music appears occasionally, typically a solo guitarist or small jazz ensemble suited to the intimate space. The food menu is light, focused on cheese boards, charcuterie, and small plates designed to accompany wine rather than replace dinner.
What to Expect
Walk through a stone archway into a courtyard framed by colonial walls. String lights overhead, candles on tables, and the murmur of conversation. Inside, a well-stocked bar with ambient lighting. The atmosphere is refined without being stiff. You'll feel like you've found a hidden corner of the Caribbean that the cruise passengers missed.
Intimate, historic, and gently cosmopolitan. The colonial stonework and candlelight create a romance that modern construction can't replicate.
Background jazz, bossa nova, and acoustic playlists. Occasional live solo guitar or small ensemble. Volume supports conversation rather than competing with it.
Smart casual. Collared shirts and nice shorts or trousers for men. Dresses or smart separates for women. The best-dressed crowd in St. John's, though nobody is formal.
Wine lovers, couples on date night, the sailing crowd, anyone wanting a sophisticated evening in Antigua's capital.
Credit cards accepted. Cash (EC$ or USD) also taken. Cards are standard here.
Price Range
Wine by glass EC$20-40, cocktails EC$25-40, beer EC$10-15, cheese board EC$35-55, small plates EC$20-35
Wine ~$7.40-14.80 USD / ~6.80-13.55 EUR, cocktails ~$9.25-14.80 USD / ~8.50-13.55 EUR
Hours
Monday to Saturday 4 PM to 11 PM. Closed Sunday. May close earlier on quiet weeknights. Extended hours during Sailing Week and Carnival.
Insider Tip
Request courtyard seating when you arrive. Ask the bartender to recommend a wine based on what you like rather than ordering from the list; they know the stock well. If you're interested in Caribbean rum, they stock some excellent aged options beyond the standard brands. Visit on a non-cruise-ship day for the best atmosphere.
Full Review
Redcliffe Quay's restoration preserved the 18th-century architecture while filling the spaces with contemporary businesses. C&C Wine Bar is the most successful expression of this combination. The stone walls, thick enough to keep the interior cool without aggressive air conditioning, frame a bar that would be at home in a European capital.
The wine list is the centerpiece. For a Caribbean island that imports everything, the selection is impressive. French reds and whites from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhone share list space with Italian options, Chilean Cabernet, and South African Chenin Blanc. The by-the-glass rotation changes frequently enough that repeat visits yield new options. Pricing carries the Caribbean import premium: a glass of decent wine starts at EC$20 ($7.40 USD) and climbs from there. Bottles for the table start around EC$80 and reach well above EC$300 for special occasions.
The cocktail program deserves recognition alongside the wine. The bartenders are trained and take requests seriously. A Negroni arrives properly balanced. A rum old fashioned uses aged Antiguan rum. Seasonal creations incorporate tropical fruits without descending into sugary cliches. If you ask for a recommendation, you'll get a thoughtful response rather than a default pour.
The courtyard is the space that makes C&C memorable. On a warm evening (which is every evening in Antigua), the open-air setting surrounded by historic stone walls creates an atmosphere that no amount of interior design can match. The string lights provide warm illumination. Tables are spaced for privacy. The conversation from neighboring tables adds ambient texture without intrusion.
The crowd is what you'd expect from a wine bar in a sailing destination. Yacht crews who've sailed in from English Harbour or Jolly Harbour bring stories and an appreciation for good drinks. Expat professionals from the financial and legal sectors make up the after-work contingent. Tourists who've ventured beyond Heritage Quay's duty-free shops find the space and feel they've discovered something. All these groups mix easily around wine and conversation.
Food is supportive rather than main-event. The cheese boards feature imported cheeses with local accompaniments. Charcuterie is well-curated. Small plates of bruschetta, olives, and similar bar snacks round out the options. For a full meal, eat elsewhere and come to C&C for wine and dessert.
The main limitation is hours and consistency. On quiet weeknights, C&C may close early if business is slow. Cruise ship days change the dynamic in the surrounding area, though the Quay's location means the shopping crowds rarely penetrate to the bar. The best evenings are Friday and Saturday, when the bar fills and the atmosphere peaks.
The Neighborhood
In Redcliffe Quay's historic district, a 2-minute walk from Heritage Quay and the cruise port. Skullduggery Cafe is in the same complex. Hemingways is a 5-minute walk. Papa Zouk is a short taxi ride away on Hilda Davis Drive.
Getting There
Walk from anywhere in St. John's town center. From the cruise port, 5 minutes on foot through Heritage Quay. From Dickenson Bay hotels, a taxi costs EC$25-40. From the airport, $15-20 USD by taxi.
Address
Redcliffe Quay, St. John's, Antigua
Other Venues in Redcliffe Quay and Heritage Quay
Hemingways Caribbean Cafe
Open-air waterfront bar and restaurant on St. Mary's Street near Heritage Quay. Caribbean cuisine, cold beer, and a veranda overlooking the harbour. Live music some weekends. A reliable spot for a casual evening drink. Beer EC$8-12, cocktails EC$20-35.
Papa Zouk
Rum bar and seafood restaurant with over 200 rum varieties. The owner is a rum encyclopaedia. Tiny space, big personality. Known as one of the best rum bars in the Caribbean. Rum flights EC$30-60, dinner EC$60-120.
Skullduggery Cafe
Casual restaurant and bar on Redcliffe Quay. Outdoor seating in the courtyard. Burgers, wraps, and cold drinks for the after-shopping or pre-dinner crowd. Transitions to a bar atmosphere later in the evening. Beer EC$8-12, cocktails EC$18-30.
The Grand Princess Casino
Small casino with a bar on Heritage Quay. Slot machines, a few table games, and drinks at the bar. Not a destination venue, but an option for late-night action when other spots close. The bar serves until the gaming floor shuts down. Beer EC$8-12.