ST ANN, Jamaica – It was a party-like atmosphere aboard Poko Loko, the floating bar located in the waters of Ocho Rios in St Ann, as the attraction officially reopened on Monday, almost a year after it was destroyed by Hurricane Beryl.

Already, expansion talks are being mooted.

“We have been in discussions about doing something in Mobay, maybe something in Negril, [but] we want to make sure that we’re doing a good job here before we do any other expansion,” said CEO Anthony ‘Tony’ Warren, who was on spot for the grand re-opening of what he has dubbed the only floating bar in Jamaica.

Employees were full of energy, welcoming guests and the press to the well-appointed structure — comprising chairs, lounge sets and tables — with shouts of “Poko Loko”.

The bar, which sits on a barge just off the coast of Mahogany Beach, Ocho Rios is a completely new structure. The first was completely destroyed just two weeks after its grand opening on June 15, 2024 having been heavily damaged by Hurricane Beryl and then stripped to the bones by looters.

The hard turn of luck didn’t dissuade Warren though, and after a year of totally rebuilding, he says the bar is back with improved structural integrity to stand against storms – up to Category 4 force winds, the company said in a release. Additionally, arrangements have been made to remove the barge from the water should a hurricane threaten the area.

Restarting the attraction reportedly cost operators more than the initial US$1 investment used to establish the facility last year before operations were halted due to the effects of the hurricane.

Warren indicated that about 80 per cent of employees were retained from the pre-Beryl operation, and the staff members have received training in emergency procedures.

As for what inspired the bar, Warren, who said he has been in Jamaica for about 50 years doing charity work, revealed that the idea was proposed to him. He said he wished to not only give back locally but to also tap into the tourism sector.

The CEO also sought to assure visitors that the bar is safe and completely insured as it welcomes guests with its Mexican/Jamaican inspired menu.

Video by Dana Malcolm