de Frenchtown Bar: Great Mojitos, Famous Fungi, A Very Cool Vibe

ST. THOMAS, USVI — Covid is over. No it's not. But hopefully, you're vaccinated and that means you're out looking for a good time tonight. Don't miss this.

de Frenchtown Bar is celebrating their Grand Opening tonight and you're invited. Expect a scene. The drinks and food are that good.

Owned by well-regarded, local bar owner Jessica de Jongh and her husband, de Frenchtown Bar is "a sophisticated rum shop." Labels like that can be hard to live up to, but in this case, it's a natural fit.

de Jongh and her husband have run Sabroso on the waterfront for several years and de Frenchtown Bar is their newest venture. Safe to say, they know what it takes to make a good neighborhood joint.

"Since expanding Sabroso, we always wanted to go back to the small and fun island bar," said de Jongh. "That’s how Sabroso started, a small rum bar with food by Anna’s Fancy. And we found that here in Frenchtown. We partnered with Soleil Creative to elevate the concept of a traditional Rum Shop. We capitalize on the vibe and energy that already existed here for over 20 years."

Set in the building formerly occupied by La Petite Fenetre, de Frenchtown Bar has renovated the space to create a casual, but Instagram-worthy atmosphere. With dark green walls and flattering lighting, it feels like a French bistro. The small tables and unpretentious vibe remind you that you're in the Caribbean. All in all, it feels like, well, Frenchtown.

The cocktail menu is still under construction, but the food menu is well underway. Appetizers include wings, ceviche, chicken skewers and blackened tofu. Local specialties including Oxtail every Thursday and Fish and Fungi on Fridays. Fungi is having its moment in the spotlight after it was lauded in the New York Times last week. Stop in on Saturday for Seafood Kalaloo.

Friday is the official grand opening, though they've been slinging drinks and serving a small menu for the past few weeks. That just means they've already worked out the kinks, if there were any.

So stop in on Friday. Grab a seat on the patio, if you can. You'll want a second mojito. Maybe a third. And that's a fine feeling for a Friday night in Frenchtown.

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