Get into the groove: Barbados's best music and nightlife spots

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. Ashleigh Arnott 1 minute ago At a glance: Locals recommend the places where Bajan music is at its best

Don’t miss: Live reggae that makes that first rum punch taste even sweeter

Highlight: Crop Over, a summer-long celebration of Barbadian music, masquerade, food and culture

Travel tip: Book with Virgin Atlantic Holidays and the expert team will share even more tips for experiencing Barbados's vibrant music scene

Alongside soca, calypso, reggae and jazz, the island gave rise to spouge, a distinctly Barbadian genre developed by musical innovator Jackie Opel in the 1960s.

The focal point of Barbados’s cultural calendar is Crop Over, pictured above, a three-month celebration of Barbadian music, arts, food and heritage that culminates in the Grand Kadooment finale in August.

But music is the Bajan way of life, and you’ll be treated to killer sounds whether you’re at a cocktail bar after dark or a beach shack the morning after. Expand your musical knowledge of this island paradise: traditional tuk bands, calypso tents, vibrant Pic-O-De-Crop and Foreday Morning events, and Landship folk traditions are all here for you to explore.

Discover where to feel the rhythm and join the locals in a little Bajan shuffle, as recommended by island experts, including the Virgin Atlantic Holidays team.

And if you book your Barbados getaway with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, the party starts even before you land on the island — from the excitement of planning your trip with knowledgeable agents to getting the five-start treatment when you step onboard your flight. Cue sun-soaked soca rhythms...

“Rite Side of Red is a band whose members come from different cultural backgrounds but share one thing in common: they play and sing straight from the soul. Their music captures the warmth, rhythm and spirit that makes Barbados so special. They play at Surfers Bay beach bar in Silver Sands on a Sunday. It's the perfect spot for anyone who wants to let loose, meet great people and enjoy some of the best live reggae on the island.” — Papa Jules is co-founder and head of vibes at La Cabane , Barbados

Whether they are laid-back or lively, Barbadian beach bars are great places to soak up local sounds and good vibes Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. Late-night karaoke with the locals “We have a rum shop culture in Barbados, which is very much like British pub culture — everyone has their local. They’re very casual, and a lot of them will go on late at night and then turn into a kind of karaoke bar. Lemon Arbour in the parish of Saint John is a more well-known one — it’s turned into more of a restaurant. It's still super-casual, but you’ll see everyone from the prime minister to the farmer next door there.” — Malou Morgan is a Bajan mum who runs Skip to Malou, a family travel and lifestyle blog

The annual Crop Over festival is an island-wide celebration of Bajan music and culture Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. Experience Crop Over, Barbados’ biggest festival “During Crop Over, you can feel the buzz as soon as you land on the island. There’s something to do everywhere you turn, as well as endless soca and calypso parties.