The Willy-T Finds a New Home in the British Virgin Islands

A post shared by Jeff Monuszko (@jeffmonuszko) on Mar 6, 2018 at 7:48pm PST

The William Thornton Floating Bar & Restaurant, commonly referred to as the Willy-T is one of the most iconic bars in the British Virgin Islands. Best known for slinging shots served on a waterski, and passing out pirate-themed temporary tattoos (bar-goers find them in, ahem, interesting places after a long night of drinking), the floating bar was anchored at a mooring ball in the Bight at Norman Island from 1989 until September 2017, when it was destroyed during Hurricane Irma.

A post shared by Allison🏝Carrow (@tropicallie_travels) on Apr 25, 2018 at 9:11am PDT

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After the storm, Willy-T owner, Ewan Anderson, spent more than $500K purchasing and retrofitting a new boat, which made a much anticipated arrival in the BVI on May 10. The following day, Anderson was called to a meeting with the BVI’s Junior Minister of Tourism, who reportedly told him the Willy-T was no longer welcome in the Bight at Norman. It’s rumored the bar was pushed out of its longtime home in favor of a new development coming to Norman Island that doesn’t want the notoriously raucous party barge in the Bight.

A post shared by ilanlyfe (@ilanlyfe) on Apr 30, 2018 at 2:26pm PDT

For the latest on the Willy-T’s grand re-opening in Great Harbour on Peter Island follow their Facebook page.