Turtle Bay Hanover Street

Serving up Caribbean flavours in good value food and drink, you can expect a party atmosphere and a light mood in both the Victoria Street and Hanover Street versions of Turtle Bay. From the powerfully delicious jerk chicken, to curried goat and the amazing cocktail promotions, it’s certainly a great place to start a night out with friends before you head to Mathew St or Concert Square.

The Vibe

Turtle Bay promotes the laid-back vibe of rum, reggae and jerk and this comes across in both Liverpool venues. It definitely always feels like there is a stag or hen do in here, lining their stomachs and taking advantage of happy hour to get as many cocktails down their throats before moving on – and that is no bad thing. The décor is light and sunny, with a focus on the reggae music and the ‘concept’ of the Caribbean at every turn and on every wall. It’s not what we would imagine is authentic Caribbean décor, but then the food and drinks more than make up for that. What we can say is that the service is pretty good, the wait not too long for food, and the clientele seem on the whole very happy and ready to party (with those cocktails probably a good reason for that!).

The Food

Again, the food on offer might not be the most authentic in the world, but it is consistent and always full of spice where it says it’s gonna be. For those us looking for that extra kick in our meals, that is all you can ask for really, and Turtle Bay certainly obliges. The starters like the crispy chilli squid and the sweetcorn fritters are great places to start, and whether you choose a main like a curry goat, a browned chicken stew, or a classic jerk chicken, make sure you choose the sides to match, such as coconut rice and peas, fried plantain, and the Kingston salad. As long as you go into Turtle Bay with your eyes open, you can have a good time and not worry too much about how authentic it is, or whether you’ve had the best meal in a while. What you can guarantee is a good laugh, some good music, cocktails that will gear you up for the rest of the night, and a laid-back atmosphere.

The Price

All of the starters are priced around a fiver, and the curries and soul food sections of the menu around a tenner. Burgers are pretty cheap at around £6 or £7, and the jerk is all about a tenner too. Stock up on sides for around £2.50 to £3. 2-4-1 Cocktails every day from opening until 7pm and then from 9.30pm till close on Sundays to Thursday, and 10pm till close on Fridays and Saturdays.