Keg and Marlin
Keg and Marlin is the Caudan Waterfront's most popular pub, sitting on the harbor promenade with outdoor tables that face the water. The interior follows a British-pub template: dark wood, brass fittings, framed nautical prints, and a long bar counter with draught taps pouring Phoenix, the local Mauritian lager. Seating accommodates about 80 inside and another 40 on the terrace. The outdoor section is the draw, catching harbor breezes and the foot traffic of the evening promenade. The food menu covers pub standards: burgers, fish and chips, grilled catch of the day, and a few Mauritian additions like vindaye and mine frite. Friday evenings are the peak, when office workers from Port Louis's business district descend on the waterfront for after-work drinks, filling the terrace by 5:30 PM and staying through dinner. The crowd is a mix of Mauritian professionals, expats working in the capital, and tourists passing through on their way to Grand Baie. The atmosphere is reliably social without being rowdy. It's the kind of pub that does its job every night of the week.
What to Expect
A waterfront pub with cold beer, reliable food, and a social terrace facing the harbor. The atmosphere is casual and convivial. Conversation flows easily between tables on the terrace, especially on Friday evenings when the post-work crowd loosens up.
Friendly pub energy with a tropical waterfront twist. Unpretentious, social, and consistent.
Background music: pop, soft rock, occasional sega. Volume stays conversational.
Smart casual. Office workers come in their work clothes. Tourists in clean casual. No beachwear.
After-work drinks, casual dining, social evenings for professionals and tourists, solo travelers who want easy conversation
Cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard). Cash also fine. Mauritian rupees.
Price Range
Phoenix draught MUR 100-150, imported beer MUR 200-300, pub meals MUR 300-600, cocktails MUR 250-400
Phoenix ~$2.20-3.30 / ~2-3 EUR, imported beer ~$4.40-6.60 / ~4-6 EUR, meals ~$6.60-13.20 / ~6-12 EUR
Hours
11:00-23:00 Monday to Thursday, 11:00-midnight Friday and Saturday, 11:00-22:00 Sunday
Insider Tip
Friday after-work drinks (5-7 PM) are the most social hours. The outdoor terrace fills fast; arrive by 5 PM on Fridays. The grilled fish of the day is usually better than the pub standards. Phoenix on draught tastes better than the bottled version available everywhere else on the island.
Full Review
Keg and Marlin occupies a ground-floor corner of the Caudan Waterfront complex, with its entrance on the harbor promenade. The interior is divided between the bar area with high stools and the dining section with booths and tables. The decor aims for British pub with nautical touches: ship wheels, rope, and framed prints of fishing boats.
The bar runs six draught taps, with Phoenix (Mauritius's main lager) as the bestseller. A pint pours at MUR 100-150 depending on the time and any happy hour promotions. Imported options include Heineken, Stella, and a rotating guest tap. The spirits selection is adequate for mixed drinks but don't expect craft cocktails.
Outside, the terrace wraps around the building's corner, offering views across the harbor basin. Tables for two and four fill the space, with larger groups pushing tables together on busy nights. The harbor lights reflecting off the water create a pleasant backdrop that elevates a standard pub experience.
The food menu is the strongest in the Caudan for casual dining. Burgers (MUR 300-400) are properly made with fresh patties. The fish and chips uses whatever's fresh, often dorade or capitaine. Mauritian dishes appear as daily specials: vindaye (mustard-spiced fish), mine frite (stir-fried noodles), and rougaille (tomato-based stew). Portions are generous.
Friday evening is when Keg and Marlin earns its reputation. Port Louis's office workers treat it as the unofficial end-of-week gathering point. The terrace fills by 5:30 PM with groups of colleagues, the conversation volume rises, and the pub transitions from restaurant to social venue. By 8 PM, the crowd thins slightly as people head home or continue to Grand Baie.
Compared to the Casino bar (more gaming-focused), Le Courtyard (more upscale), and Craft Market Bar (more basic), Keg and Marlin hits the middle ground that most people want: good beer, decent food, a nice view, and enough social energy to make the evening feel alive.
The Neighborhood
On the Caudan Waterfront promenade, Port Louis's main evening destination. The casino, Le Courtyard Lounge, and other waterfront venues are within a 5-minute walk. The city center is adjacent but empties after office hours.
Getting There
Taxi from any Port Louis location, MUR 100-300. From the airport, MUR 1,500-2,500 (45-60 minutes). The Caudan has its own parking area. Walk from the bus station area in 10 minutes.
Address
Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis
Other Venues in Caudan Waterfront
Casino de Port Louis
The Caudan's casino operated by Casinos de Maurice. Table games including blackjack, roulette, and poker alongside slot machines. The bar serves cocktails and spirits. Smart casual dress code. Open daily from 10 AM until the early hours. ID required.
Namaste Restaurant and Bar
Indian restaurant with a bar overlooking the waterfront. Cocktails, wine, and Mauritian-Indian cuisine. The bar area is social on weekend evenings. Cocktails MUR 300-500, mains MUR 400-800. Live sega music on Saturday nights.
Le Courtyard Lounge
Upscale lounge bar in the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel adjacent to the Caudan complex. Cocktails, wine list, and a polished atmosphere. The most refined drinking option in Port Louis. Cocktails MUR 400-700.
Craft Market Bar
Casual bar within the Caudan craft market area. Local beer, rum punches, and an unpretentious atmosphere. Good for a cheap drink between shopping and dinner. Phoenix beer MUR 80-120. Open until 10 PM most nights.