Pelican Inn
Pelican Inn has been part of the St. James landscape since before most current patrons were born. The bar occupies a ground-floor space on Western Main Road with a simple layout: a long bar counter, a scattering of tables and chairs, and a TV in the corner showing cricket or football depending on the season. Capacity sits around 60, though it rarely hits that outside of special events. The drink menu is rum-centric, with Angostura products forming the backbone and Carib beer handling the rest. A jukebox leans toward classic calypso and vintage soca, the sound of 1970s and 80s Trinidad that the regulars grew up with. The crowd is older than the rest of the strip, mostly men in their 40s and above who've been drinking here for decades. It's a rum shop upgraded to bar status, and it wears that identity without apology. Tourists who wander in are treated as curiosities rather than intrusions, typically offered a seat and a conversation within minutes.
What to Expect
Walking in feels like entering someone's extended living room. The lighting is fluorescent, the decor is minimal, and the bartender nods at you like you might be a friend he hasn't met yet. Cricket highlights play on the TV. The jukebox hums calypso. Someone will talk to you within five minutes.
Quiet, warm, and deeply local. It's a rum shop with a proper roof and working plumbing. The conversations are better than the decor.
Classic calypso, vintage soca (Sparrow, Kitchener, Shadow), and whatever's on the TV sports channel. Modern soca makes occasional appearances when younger patrons visit.
Come as you are. The regulars wear everything from work clothes to shorts and sandals. Nobody cares what you're wearing as long as you're buying a round.
Travelers interested in old Trinidad, calypso history, and genuine conversation with locals who've seen the island change. Not for clubbers or anyone expecting a party.
Cash only (TTD). No exceptions. The nearest ATM is 200 meters east on Western Main Road.
Price Range
Carib/Stag beer TTD 18-25, rum and coke TTD 20-30, puncheon rum shot TTD 15-20, bottle of rum TTD 150-300
Beer ~USD 3-4 / ~EUR 3; rum and coke ~USD 3-5 / ~EUR 3-4; puncheon shot ~USD 2-3 / ~EUR 2-3
Hours
Mon-Sat 3 PM to midnight, sometimes later on Fri-Sat when the crowd lingers. Closed Sun
Insider Tip
If you want to earn the regulars' respect, order puncheon with coconut water (the traditional mixer). Ask about the cricket and have an opinion ready. Early evening (5-7 PM) is the best time for conversation before the music gets louder.
Full Review
Pelican Inn doesn't compete with the clubs and lounges surrounding it. It doesn't try. The bar has existed in some form on this stretch of Western Main Road for decades, and the current iteration maintains the same energy: cheap rum, old music, and conversation.
The interior is functional. A long bar counter takes up one side. Tables and chairs fill the rest. The TV is always on, usually showing cricket when West Indies are playing, or Premier League football otherwise. The jukebox has a bias toward calypso legends: Sparrow, Kitchener, Shadow, and their era. When someone drops coins in and 'Jean and Dinah' comes on, the bar sings along.
Prices are the lowest on the strip. A Carib beer costs TTD 18-25. A rum and coke with Angostura White Oak runs TTD 20-30. Puncheon rum, served with coconut water by those who know what they're doing, costs TTD 15-20 per shot. You can spend an entire evening here for under TTD 200 (USD 30) including food from the doubles vendor outside.
The regulars are the attraction. Men who've been drinking at Pelican Inn for 20 or 30 years, who remember when St. James was different and will tell you about it if you buy them a round. The conversations cover cricket, politics, calypso history, and stories about old Trinidad that you won't find in any guidebook. Being a foreigner is an asset here: it makes you interesting.
The venue empties out as the louder clubs on the strip start pulling the younger crowd after 10 PM. By midnight, Pelican Inn is down to the core regulars, and the bartender starts giving meaningful looks at the clock. It's not an all-night destination. It's a history lesson that serves rum.
The Neighborhood
Pelican Inn is on Western Main Road in St. James, a short walk from Zulu Lounge and Drink! on either side. Doubles vendors and small food shops surround it. The bar functions as an entry point to the strip for early arrivals who want conversation before the dance floor venues open.
Getting There
Taxi from downtown Port of Spain costs TTD 30-50 (10 minutes). From Ariapita Avenue, TTD 20-40. The bar has a simple sign on Western Main Road. Tell the driver 'Pelican Inn in St. James' or just 'the old bar near Zulu.'
Other Venues in St. James
Drink!
Casual rum bar on Western Main Road where locals lime hard on weekends. Cheap drinks, loud music, and a crowd that spills onto the sidewalk. No frills, just Trini nightlife at its most honest.
Frankie's
One of St. James's longest-running nightclubs, pulling crowds with soca, dancehall, and reggae. Two levels, a packed dance floor on weekends, and the kind of energy that doesn't quit until sunrise.
Zulu Lounge
Upscale-leaning lounge on the St. James strip with cocktails, hookah, and a slightly calmer vibe than the surrounding bars. Good for starting the evening before the street gets loud.
D Backyard
Open-air venue behind Western Main Road hosting live bands, DJs, and occasional comedy nights. The outdoor setup catches the breeze and gives St. James liming an al fresco twist.