Food & Drink: Casual wear is accepted in all bars and restaurants. There are no licensing restrictions, but excessive consumption of alcohol is frowned upon and further service will
be refused. Antigua's gastronomic specialty is lobster, with red snapper and occasionally other fish running a close second when available. Larger hotels offer a wide selection of imported meats, vegetables, fruits and cheeses. Local specialties include barbecued free-range chicken, roast suckling pig, pilaffs,  curries, mushrooms and salt fish. Drink: Imported wines and spirits are available as well as imported sodas and local fruit drinks. Local drinks include ice-cold fruit juice, coconut milk, Antiguan-produced dark and light rums (Cavalier), rum punches, and beer from Antigua (Wadadli), Barbados (Banks) and Jamaica (Red Stripe). There is an 8.5% government tax on most restaurant bills.

Nightlife: There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars around main tourist areas. Steel bands, combos and limbo dancers travel around hotels, performing nightly during the high season (November to April). There are five casinos on the island and two nightclubs/discotheques. Some hotels have their own discotheques.

Shopping: Uniquely Antiguan purchases include straw goods, pottery, batik and silk-screen printed fabrics, and jewelery incorporating semi-precious Antiguan stones. English bone china and crystal and French perfumes, watches and table linens are all available at very attractive prices. Heritage Quay Complex is a shopping and entertainment complex with 40 duty-free shops, a theatre, restaurants and a casino and supper club. It forms part of the newest development in central St John's. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1600, although some shops and chemists do not close for lunch. Sat 0800-1200. Some shops close at noon on Thursday.

Special Events: For a full list of special events, contact the Antigua Department of Tourism or the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office (see address section). The following is a selection of events celebrated annually in Antigua and Barbuda:
Annual Tennis Championships (attracting top ranking US and European tennis players). Apr/May International Sailing Week (sailing regatta including yacht-racing, the sunfish regatta and gala beach parties). Jul/Aug Mid-Summer Carnival (10-day festival). Oct International Balloon Festival.

Social Conventions: Dress is informal unless formal dress is specifically requested. It is not acceptable to wear scanty clothing or beachwear in towns or villages. Relatives and good friends generally embrace. Friends tend to drop by unannounced, but an invitation is necessary for acquaintances or business associates. Although gifts will generally be well received, they are normally only given on celebratory occasions. Flowers are appropriate for dinner parties; bring a bottle only when specifically requested. Smoking is accepted in most public places. 

Tipping: 10% is included on hotel bills for staff gratuities, plus an 8.5% government tax. Taxi drivers expect 10% of the fare, and dockside and airport porters expect US$1 per bag.