Monday, August 4, 2008

Crazy Johnny's Bahamas

So we had mentioned Crazy Johnny's bar in an earlier post - but we were going to wait until we had gone back to the bar with a camera to take photos before we posted our review. Well - something happened to change that, so we stole photos from his Facebook account so that we could move ahead with our review today.

Crazy Johnny's is billed as a Rock n' Roll Club. It is very close to a restuarant that we really enjoy called "The Poop Deck" so we actually drive past it all the time. It is on the second floor of a building that overlooks the harbour and the boat basin - which as it turns out is where Johnny worked as a mechanic all of his life until last year when he opened Crazy Johnny's. It has a huge balcony out front with about 45 seats which has a great view.

As we said, we drive past it all the time and Mark always suggests that we go in for a drink. Lisa always hesitates because it always looked a bit rough. Like a Spring Breaker hang-out. But on Friday night we passed it again and this time we decided to brave it. What a great place! It was obviously an old Bahamian home that has been converted, but what remains is a cavernous room with a huge wood-beam ceiling. Johnny has built a sound system that most rock venues would envy. He has a screen the size of a movie theatre at the front of the room and plays videos and recordings of live rock concerts throughout the night. On the weekends he has live music and during the week Johnny himself will frequently jump on stage to sing a number or play some drums. And Johnny rocks. Tammy, if you are reading - this is your kind of place!


It was quiet when we went in (early rock hours of 8pm) so we ended up having a long chat with Johnny who invited Lisa to sing on his incredible sound system. Lisa sang some U2 and Johnny and his girlfriend Mary (who, it turns out, is a teacher at Emily's school and a very cool lady) came straight over and asked Lisa to sing with Johnny's band some weekends at the club.

If you are in the Bahamas, you MUST go to Crazy Johnny's. They apparently have burger's to die for so Emily will visit too (it's a restaurant and bar so kids are allowed).


So I know you have two burning questions:


Why is it called Crazy Johnny's? Because Johnny is crazy - see photos below.


Why did we have to tell you about it now? Because yesterday Johnny and Mary called and invited us out on their boat to head over to their house on Rose Island which is an island about 15-20 minutes away by boat - see photos below. We had an amazing and relaxing day. Like a mini-vacation.

Johnny singing with is band.

Swinging from the rafters.

Blowing fire!


Heading in to Rose Island to park the boat. You can see the beachfront cabana. The house is up on the hill.


Parking the boat. We remembered this water from when we visited Rose Island a few years ago. Crystal clear and so blue.

The beach!

The view from the cabana to where the boat was parked.

The view from the 2nd floor of Johhny's house to his swimming hole - that's his dock (it's on the opposite side of the island to the beach.)


Mark took this photo from the 2nd floor balcony.

Johnny and Mary relaxing in the cabana.

6 comments:

Queen B said...

I was a teensy bit scared of Johnny when I saw him upside down.

But I'm glad to know he is not frightening when right side up.

Mama Smurf said...

K...I gotta say I'm a little scared that you think this my kinda place...LOL...I must be painting a really pretty picture of myself in my blog! Although I gotta say men hanging from the rafters is quite enticing!

tammi said...

Ewww, is Johnny crazy enough to wear a Speedo, sitting like that for the last picture. Ugh. Other than that, seems like a very cool guy with an awesome restaurant. And how very awesomely cool (I seem to be running out of adjectives tonight!) that you got to sing up there!! Woo-hoo! You so totally rock!

And his house.....? I guess I'd forgive the Speedo if he'd invite me! Wow.

Anonymous said...

I so want to live at Johnny's house.

Swinging from the rafters might be fun, too.

Mommy2Twinkies-Deb said...

Looks like we'll need to plan another trip, to try your new resto and meet your new friends... oh and not forget to see your performance.

Grant Elliott said...

Now I know why he's crazy...singing upside down and fire stunts?! Great to make some new friends...especially with a beach house like that! Somehow Reston pools just don't cut it when you see beaches like that!