The Closest Thing to Drinking Cocktails on the Beach with Kendall Jenner? The New 818 Shack at SLS Baha Mar

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When I’m on vacation, there are just two things I require: good drinks and good vibes. That’s why I had to be damn near dragged out of the SLS Baha Mar last month when I visited the Bahamian hotel for the grand opening of The 818 Shack, a new cocktail lounge inspired by Kendall Jenner’s tequila brand.

But let’s back up a bit. If you haven’t heard of Baha Mar, the multi-billion-dollar mega-resort that opened in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, in 2015, I’m about to put you on. The stunning property sits on over 1,000 acres along the island’s famous Cable Beach, and offers three hotels for guests to choose from: the Grand Hyatt, which is the most family-friendly of the bunch; the super-swanky Rosewood, where Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake happen to co-own a golf resort (casual); and the sleek-and-sophisticated SLS, where I stayed during the trip with one of my best friends (hey, Tay!). SLS decided to team up with Ms. Jenner to launch her tequila brand’s first-ever physical location outside of the U.S. this fall, and voila, The 818 Shack was born.

Now, dear reader, if you like tequila-based bevs and/or sweet sunshine on your face, you’re gonna want to get to the Bahamas, pronto. As I mentioned, I was invited to The 818 Shack’s grand opening (which, yes, Kenny did indeed attend), so my BFF and I were some of the first people to see it in all its glory. TBH, we could have chilled there for weeks on end—and I’m about to tell you why.

First off, the “shack” is about the furthest thing you can get from a shack. It’s actually a hella-chic, open-air bar located inside the resort’s actually-insanely-cool waterpark, Baha Bay. The space contains a bar area filled with greenery and umbrellas, where guests can grab snacks and cocktails while lounging. There’s also ample open space for guests to dance and mingle, which is perfect considering the hotel plans to host event activations and weekly DJ sets there in the coming months. Oh, and in case you were wondering, all the cups, pillows, ice buckets, and other decor you'll find are branded with the cool green 818 logo, naturally.

The F&B is where things get really real though, because The 818 Shack menu is chef’s frickin’ kiss. First off, let’s talk food: all of the items on the menu are Mexican-inspired, with shareables like ribeye empanadas and nachos loaded with cheese sauce and chili, as well as single-person meals like the fried tortilla taco bowl. To wash that all down, of course, there’s every tequila-based cocktail under the sun, each made with one of 818’s tequilas. The classic margarita was super refreshing, but my favorite was probably the Berry Mint Kenny, made with 818 Blanco, strawberries, fresh lime juice, and agave syrup. Y-U-M. If hard liquor is a hard no for you, don’t worry—wine, beer, and pressed juice are available too.

Perhaps the best part of The 818 Shack, however, is its location in Baha Bay. Trust when I say that this isn’t your childhood waterpark. In fact, it’s not just for children. My friend and I had more fun than two 27-year-olds should ever have running around the 15(!)-acre property. We zipped down wedgie-inducing waterslides, hopped over waves (and kids) in the pool, and tanned in inner tubes along the lazy river. The attractions abound and the year-round sun feels like it’s always shining in that park. And to be able to take a quick lil break at ze shack with some cocktails and guac-topped snacks is just perfection. Take it from me.

Clearly, I had the WORST TIME EVER AND WOULD NEVER GO BACK (dad joke alert). But really, Baha Mar was an A+ vacation destination before, but now it's getting extra credit in my book thanks to The 818 Shack. It's pretty much the closest you'll ever get to sipping a cocktail on the beach with a KarJenner sister, and that's definitely worth the cost of admission. Wanna learn more about the resort (and why your next long-weekend trip should be to the Bahamas)? Take a little peeksie at our review of the property as a whole. Buuuuut maybe not if you're out of PTO, because you're gonna wanna book ASAP.

Psst! Have you heard of CosmoTrips? Not to brag, but we planned a bunch of very cool trips for you and your BFFs in our favorite cities across the U.S. Check 'em out if you're in the mood for a vacay...

NYC AUSTIN CHARLESTON WEST HOLLYWOOD

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