Just a quick reminder about Good Friday alcohol sales in the Virgin Islands…
Liquor cannot be sold on Good Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Here are the details straight from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs:
“Distilled liquor and drinks prepared therewith shall not be served in public places of refreshment between the hours of 9:00 o’clock in the morning and 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon on Good Friday. Whoever violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than a year or both,” reads VI Code Title 1, Chapter 11, Subsection 171(b).
D.L.C.A. said distilled liquor includes spirits and can be defined as grain alcohol, with a high alcohol content. Examples of distilled spirits include brandy, whiskey, rum, gin, and vodka. This does not include beverages such as beer, wine, and cider, as they are fermented but not distilled. These all have relatively low alcohol content, typically less than 15 percent. Local cordials such as Pina Coladas, Coquito, and Guavaberry sales are not restricted on this day, the department said.
This goes for the BVI’s as well. We took a sail to Jost about 8 years ago and when we got to Foxy’s they wouldn’t even serve beer. Not a lot of fun at the Soggy Dollar either. We were pretty mad when we got back – the guy that organized our trip said he had no idea it was Good Friday. He thought every Friday was a Good Friday. He obviously was making his own cocktails or just had a constantly high blood alcohol content!
Neither here nor there, I just finished reading Herman Wouk’s semi-autobiographical novel “Don’t Stop the Carnival”, set in 1959 and written in 1965. Hilarious and poignant (but it may offend some modern PC sensibilities), I couldn’t put it down. It’s the story of Norman Paperman and his search for paradise, warm weather, happiness and fulfillment as he flees NYC and buys a hotel on a small Caribbean island. Wouk is still alive at 103 years and is a master of character development and story telling. It’s old enough you can probably get it at your library.