London, England: The 2017 World’s Favourite Yachting Bar competition was indeed special this year, with two categories - the Caribbean group was set up to honour the bars that were hard hit by the hurricanes Irma, Maria and Jose, and the ‘Best Elsewhere’ bars.

The crews at Wight Vodka and Scuttlebutt Europe, are proud to announce that The Pensacola Yacht Club Grill Room Bar and the St. Thomas Yacht Club were both crowned the World’s Favourite Yachting Bar!

Talbot Wilson from the Pensacola YC commented: “We are so excited to join the honour role of Wight vodka Best Yachting Bars. Since our founding in 1908, Pensacola YC has been known for our hospitality and our frozen Bushwacker is a special treat. In addition to having the best yachting bar, we have many local, coastal events, international offshore races and national and international one design events.” The Announcement was made at the club’s NYE party and the bar manager and bartender got well deserved standing ovations!

Margo Lynch and Carol Bareuther at the St. Thomas Yacht Club were so happy to hear the news they won the Caribbean Best Bar Award. “This recognition is especially dear to us considering the devastation we experienced from the two Cat 5 hurricanes in September. The day after voting ended for this competition, the St. Thomas Yacht Club regained regular power for the first time since September 6! Lack of power didn’t stop us from sailing. Our juniors especially where right back at practice just weeks after the storm. We are especially pleased to help benefit Sail Aid UK as part of this competition as many of our decades long friends and fellow sailors live in neighboring islands such as the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten, which were hard hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria and are benefited by this fund.’

Dan Hiza, co-owner of 50° North, the company behind Wight Vodka, said “The Best Yachting Bar completion is always the highlight of the year for us, and this year we decided to support SailAid UK their efforts to raise funds to help rebuild the sailing communities in the Caribbean. As always, competition was heated, with votes coming from all over the world. The shortlisted Caribbean bars that went to vote, were the ever-popular and loved Foxy’s, Soggy Dollar Bar, St. Maarten YC, Willy T’s and Windward Mark at the Bitter End YC. Best Elsewhere, Clarke Cooke House in Newport, USA, The King and Queen, in UK, Peter’s Café Sport, Royal Bermuda YC, and Salty Mike’s in Charleston, USA were in the running against the Pensacola YC.”

Dan continued “We look forward to meeting the amazing crews at all these bars over time and wish the St. Thomas YC and the Pensacola YC Grill Room Bar warm congratulations! Keep those vodka drinks flowing!”

About the St. Thomas YC
St. Thomas Yacht Club, founded in 1964, has a rich history of competition and camaraderie. Nowhere do the two of these mix perfectly than at the STYC bar. Sailors, after a day of pleasure sailing or regatta competition, take a seat here to enjoy a cold drink and relive the excitement and enjoyment of the day. Olympic, America’s Cup and World Champions have all sat at the St. Thomas Yacht Club bar, as have parents new to the club that stop for a drink while their young children take their first Optimist dinghy lessons. The Club has also welcomed sailors from around the world. The St. Thomas Yacht Club bar is a focal point on a daily basis as well as the meeting place during regattas such as our 45th anniversary St. Thomas International Regatta, set for March 23-25, 2018. Like them on Facebook or visit http://www.styc.club

About Pensacola Yacht Club
The Pensacola Yacht Club, chartered in 1908, is a private club for members and their guests to organized navigation, safety, and recreational water activities. Now, members and their families also enjoy a full service restaurant, bar, banquet and meeting rooms, a beach, a marina, and a swimming pool overlooking Pensacola Bay as part of their membership benefits. Pensacola YC sailors have distinguished themselves in local and coastal sailing events, as well as, in international offshore races and national and international one-design events. Our cruising sailors have won many a raft-up party, too. Like them on Facebook or visit http://www.pensacolayachtclub.org

About 50° North
50° North are the creators of Wight Vodka. The company’s spirit and enthusiasm for the ocean, coupled with the centuries-old regatta traditions of the Isle of Wight (and of course a full appreciation of superior vodka!) culminated in the creation of the world’s smoothest, 42% ABV potato-based vodka. One sip of Wight Vodka will make a believer out of the most discerning connoisseur, and the company welcomes your joining a unique and elite class. Visit us on Facebook and http://www.wightvodka.com. Tack & Gybe Responsibly.