Floyd’s Pelican Bar comes back to life

February 04, 2026

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Owner of Only Villa, Marsha Parchment, brings the spirit of Treasure Beach to the event, joining in as the community welcomes back the iconic bar.

CEO of Suga Lifestyle, Gabrielle Burgess, stands on the rebuilt floating bar at Floyd’s Pelican Bar during its reopening after Hurricane Melissa.

Debbie Allen celebrates her first visit from London, proudly showing off a Floyd’s Pelican Bar keepsake T-shirt at the reopening event.

Floyd Forbes, owner of Floyd’s Pelican Bar.

Floyd’s Pelican Bar before the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Catching both the sun and the spotlight, Patricia Patterson poses as guests gather for the festivities.

Floyd's Pelican Bar, one of Jamaica's most iconic offshore destinations, has officially reopened after extensive repairs following hurricanes Beryl and Melissa.

The event, themed Southside Resurrection, marks not just the return of a tourism landmark, but a renewed sense of hope for the surrounding communities whose livelihoods depend on it.

For founder Floyd Forbes, seeing the bar come back to life was an emotional experience. "When I saw the damage after the hurricane, I honestly didn't know how I would build back," Forbes said.

"The support from Red Stripe and the community made it possible. Seeing the boats coming back today brought real joy. We are ready to welcome everyone again." His words underscore the bar's importance not only as a business, but as a symbol of resilience and community solidarity on Jamaica's south coast.

Perched atop a natural sandbar in Parottee Bay, Floyd's Pelican Bar has long been more than a tourist attraction--it's a lifeline for local boat operators, tour guides, craft vendors, and small businesses that thrive on daily visitor traffic. Its closure left many without work, and the reopening now restores critical income for dozens of families.

Local tour guide Ackeem Blake, who ferries guests to the bar, echoed the sentiment of relief and optimism. "Plenty of us couldn't work after the storm, so it feels good to see business moving again," Blake said. "[The bar] has always supported the community, so when it's open, everybody benefits."

Red Stripe, a long-standing partner, played a key role in the restoration. The brand's support extended beyond rebuilding infrastructure, reinforcing livelihoods and helping preserve a cultural tourism experience that draws both Jamaicans and international visitors.

Jason Henzell, owner of Jakes Hotel in Treasure Beach, emphasised the wider impact on the south coast.

"Pelican is more than a bar, it's community tourism in action," Henzell said.