Fire Guts Two Iconic Bars on The Strip - Zanzi and Cathy’s Reduced to Ashes in Overnight Blaze

A massive fire has left two of St Kitts’ most beloved nightlife spots in ruins, after Zanzi Bar and Cathy’s Bar were completely destroyed in an early morning blaze along the Frigate Bay Strip.

According to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the fire broke out between midnight and 12:30 a.m. on October 21, rapidly spreading through both establishments before firefighters could bring it under control.

Crews battled the flames for nearly five hours, managing to contain the inferno before it reached neighbouring businesses. But by dawn, little remained of the two beachside staples apart from blackened debris and twisted metal — the Strip’s heart left smouldering.

Videos of the blaze flooded social media overnight, showing thick smoke and bright orange flames lighting up the usually vibrant shoreline. By morning, the comment sections were filled with disbelief and sadness. One post read, “Frigate Bay will never feel the same — Zanzi was an institution.” Another added, “So many memories lost. You could always count on Cathy’s for a drink, a laugh, and music until sunrise.”

For locals, the fire hits more than just two businesses — it’s a blow to the community’s social and economic pulse. The two bars were cornerstones of the island’s entertainment scene, attracting locals, tourists, and cruise visitors alike. Their loss also affects dozens of workers, vendors, and musicians who relied on the weekend crowds for income.

Police have launched a joint investigation with fire officials to determine what caused the blaze, though no injuries were reported. Early reports suggest both establishments were closed at the time, but the fire’s speed and scale have raised questions about whether an electrical fault or accelerant may have been involved.

As daylight revealed the damage, the scene was eerily quiet — just the sound of waves against the shore where laughter and music once filled the night air.

Frigate Bay has seen fires before, but few as devastating as this. For now, what remains is a shared hope that the spirit of The Strip — and the livelihoods built around it — can rise again from the ashes.