13/07/2026
FULL MOON RISING
Full Moon Madness at BeachBum Bar & Grill
Half Moon Bay • Antigua, West Indies
The Experience
Each month, guests are invited to JOIN in, under the full moon, on the magical Half Moon Bay Beach at BeachBum Bar & Grill — for music, dancing in the sand under the moonlight, with island vibes that fill the soul. Sometimes arriving with a theme, always arriving with magic and dancing to the one and only DJ Clive, the evening unfolds with a delicious island meal of freshly grilled lobster or fish, the silvery water of Half Moon Bay shimmering in the moonlight beyond.
How It Came About
Full Moon Madness at BeachBum Bar & Grill began as a “one time event” in July 2018 — as COVID was still lurking far from Antigua’s shores. A small group of Half Moon Bay residents gathered under the inspiration of Half Mooner Barbara Bauer, who envisioned a simple, magical “one time gathering” beneath the Caribbean moon.
It was a magical evening — the moon rising over the silvery water of Half Moon Bay — and thus, THE FULL MOON PARTEE WAS BORN.
With Barbara off-island after that first gathering, Martha Watkins Gilkes took the reins, planning the following months and carrying the torch forward. And the rest is history — the Full Moon Partee was born and continues having celebrated the 82nd time in May 2026!
Open to ALL with welcome arms, Tippie Thomas, owner of BeachBum Bar and Grill, gives her all to provide a delicious, healthy meal for every guest who gathers under the moonlight. A bar-bque grill is always going with choice of sustainable fish (mahi or yahoo) lobster (in season only ) chicken or ribs. Healthy sides of salads, pasta or rice are always on hand and for the super health conscious or vegan guest Tippis chickpea
Martha created the page “Full Moon Fun in Antigua West Indies” to post all events and provide a home for the photo memories being created at Full Moon Rising!
Themes Through the Months
Sometimes the magic of the evening arrives with a theme — adding a special layer of creativity and fun to the night. Past themes have included:
✦ Neon November — glowing and electric under the moonlight
✦ Jazzy January — smooth sounds and cool Caribbean vibes
✦ Mermaid May — celebrating the sea that surrounds us all
✦ Flirty February: Blush Bash 🥰💗💕 — wear all shades of pink for this flirty February bash! If not wearing pink or blush, expect to be pinched or smooched! 😘😘😘
✦ [Additional themes to be added…]
Antigua Sunshine — The Song
There is a popular song written about the beloved BeachBum Bar — and it is awesome! “Antigua Sunshine” was written by architect Brian Pharoah, who practices in Canada but has deep roots in Antigua.
In Brian’s own words: “My wife has been coming to Antigua for over 40 years and myself for 35 years. We used to stay at Half Moon Hotel. I wrote the lyrics and my musician son helped me with the rest. It is a fun song for Tippy & Avery of Beach Bum Bar and Grill because we love it & them so much. Don’t worry about giving me credit… just DANCE.” AND SO WE DO !
Those who gather enjoy it, smile, and celebrate our very special BeachBum Bar & Grill on Half Moon Bay every full moon rising !
