El Faro Lounge Bar — Restaurant in Antigua

This place could be a gold mine - easily one of the best locations in Caleta - but if you want a drink, be prepared to wait an eternity. We arrived around 6pm to a bar that was maybe 20% full. Sat at a table with empty glasses on it (because it has the best view); the waiter came over… to clear the table next to us, where no one was sitting.

After 20 minutes of waiting, trying to flag down the staff who were intentionally looking away, we went to the bar to ask for a menu, only to be told someone would “come over” and we were kind of 'shewed' away from the bar. Another 10 minutes passed, and we just gave up and left. We were planning to stay for hours and spend good money, but apparently that wasn’t of interest.

I genuinely don’t understand how Caleta struggles so much with basic customer service. It’s a holiday town- selling things to people is the aim. If you ignore customers, how is that sustainable? Plenty of places here are slow, but this one really takes the biscuit.

Acknowledge people when they come to your bar, provide menus, greet them, say how long the wait will be if there is going to be one - what does ignoring them get you?...

Update on the below review. We visited again last week to be told 2 minutes past 9 o'clock that the service was finished even though the staff are there until 10 o'clock so we couldn't get a drink, even though the management advised this would not happen again.

Disappointing Experience Despite a Beautiful Setting

The location itself is charming, but unfortunately the overall experience left much to be desired. The staff were slow and noticeably unwelcoming, which put a damper on what should have been an enjoyable visit. Although service is advertised as closing at 10pm, we witnessed staff turning customers away as early as 21:59 on multiple occasions — a rigid and unreasonable approach, especially for those who made the effort to come to the bar expecting hospitality.

We also waited a full 20 minutes between ordering our drinks and receiving them. If this reflects the standard pace of service, it’s hard to imagine this bar remaining viable in the long run. Sadly, I won’t be returning until there is clear evidence that these issues have been acknowledged and...

El Faro has reopened recently after closing in 2020 due to covid. The setting is amazing and should be busy but after going a few times I understand why empty seats. While some waiters are brilliant, others are more interested in collecting ashtrays and straightening chairs than taking orders and servicing drinks.on 18th July sat 20 mins before he took our order and everybody else in there had drinks and not busy. Our drinks then sat on the bar over 10 mins , in the end my husband collected them off the bar. People were coming in at 9.50 n then when no service going up to bar to order to be told service now closed at 10pm. This bar is run by Barcelo, so if any managers reading this , get good staff who want to serve in to a great bar and serve people not turn them away Also , some evenings it was music on and a great atmosphere and other nights no music and felt as those not wanted. Also , this us more expensive than the other Barcelo bars, the Barcelo harbour bar is much cheaper and live...