Virgin Voyages Bars Guide (2026): Every Bar Onboard, What’s Free & What Costs Extra

Every bar and lounge on a Virgin Voyages ship is open to all sailors — there are no drink packages, no cover charges, and no “suite-guests-only” rope at any bar except Richard’s Rooftop. Still and sparkling water, sodas, drip coffee, tea and non-pressed juices come free in your fare; you only pay for alcohol and specialty coffee, and gratuity is already baked into the price (beers run about $7–$9 and most cocktails start around $11 as of September 2026). Below is the honest, deck-by-deck tour of where to drink, what each bar is actually for, and how to make the Bar Tab work in your favor.

By Steve Griswold — certified travel advisor, founder of Pixie Vacations, and a Virgin Voyages First Mate agency team that has sailed the Lady Ships. Last updated: September 2026.

Are the bars included on Virgin Voyages?

The bars themselves are included — you can walk into any of them at no charge — but the alcohol is not. Virgin Voyages deliberately skips the traditional cruise drink package. Instead, your fare already covers still and sparkling water, sodas, drip coffee, hot tea and non-pressed juices at the venues that serve them, and you pay per drink for anything alcoholic or for specialty espresso drinks. The prices you see already include gratuity, so the number on the menu is the number you pay. If you want to prepay, an optional Bar Tab adds bonus credit (more on that below), but there is never a mandatory beverage-package charge.

Every Virgin Voyages bar, deck by deck

The Lady Ships (Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and the newest, Brilliant Lady) share the same core bar lineup, with a few small differences ship to ship. Here is the full roster and what each one is really for:

Decks are approximate and vary slightly by ship. See each Lady Ship’s layout in our Virgin Voyages deck plans.

The bars worth planning your night around

On the Rocks — the anchor bar

On the Rocks is the biggest bar on the ship and the one I tell first-timers to start at. There is live music most nights, a deep list of aged spirits, and it sits central on Deck 6 so it becomes the natural crossroads between dinner and the shows. If you only learn one bar’s location before you board, make it this one.

The Manor and The Red Room — where the night goes late

The Manor is Virgin’s nightclub, styled like a dark, red, slightly wicked drawing room, and it runs late with DJs and dancing. The Red Room is the main theater that transforms into a party venue for signature late-night events. Together they are why Virgin earns its “grown-up playground” reputation — this is an adults-only line, and the after-dark scene is a real part of the value.

Sip — the champagne moment

Sip is the sparkling-wine lounge and the prettiest spot on the ship for a pre-dinner glass. It is also where the famous “Shake for Champagne” idea lives — the Virgin app lets you summon a bottle of bubbles to wherever you are on the ship, and Sip is its spiritual home.

The Loose Cannon and Draught Haus — for the pub crowd

If cocktails-with-a-view is not your speed, these two are. The Loose Cannon is a British-style dive with trivia nights and group rounds; Draught Haus is the beer-and-spirits taproom. Both are on Deck 7 and both are where the more laid-back sailors end up.

What drinks actually cost on Virgin Voyages

Here are the real numbers, gratuity included, as observed in September 2026 (Virgin adjusts menus over time, so treat these as a close guide rather than a locked price list):

How the Bar Tab bonus works (and whether it’s worth it)

The Bar Tab is Virgin’s answer to a drink package: prepaid bar credit that comes with bonus money on top. As of September 2026, a $200 Bar Tab gets you a $25 bonus and a $1,000 Bar Tab gets a $250 bonus — so the bonus percentage climbs the more you load. It is only worth prepaying if you are confident you will drink through it, because it is non-refundable once you sail and it covers drinks only. If you are a two-cocktails-a-night couple, buying as you go is usually the smarter play. Run your own numbers with our Virgin Voyages Bar Tab calculator, and see the full breakdown in our Virgin Voyages drink package guide.

7 insider tips for the Virgin Voyages bars

1. Richard’s Rooftop is the only bar you can’t just walk into. It is reserved for RockStar (suite) sailors. If a private, uncrowded sunset bar matters to you, that is a real reason to price out a Seriously Suite.
2. The Grounds Club “Too” changes personality at night. It pours specialty coffee on the pool deck by day and flips to cocktails after dark — an easy one to miss if you only visit in the morning.
3. Free does not mean boring. Sodas, sparkling water, teas and non-pressed juices are included, and bartenders will happily build you a zero-proof drink — you are not stuck paying to stay hydrated.
4. The price on the menu is the price you pay. Gratuity is already included at every bar, so there is no 18–20% surprise added at signing like on most cruise lines.
5. Time your Bar Tab purchase before you board. The bonus tiers apply to pre-purchased Bar Tabs, and you generally need to buy at least 24 hours before departure to lock them in.
6. Scarlet Night turns the Aquatic Club into the main event. The ship’s signature red deck party centers on the pool bars, so that is the night to be up top, not tucked in a lounge.
7. Bring a bottle if you want. Virgin’s alcohol policy is unusually relaxed for a cruise line — knowing exactly what you can carry on can save you real money over the week.

Frequently asked questions

Are drinks included on Virgin Voyages?

Non-alcoholic basics are included and alcohol is not. Your fare covers still and sparkling water, sodas, drip coffee, hot tea and non-pressed juices; beer, wine, cocktails and specialty espresso drinks are paid per drink, with gratuity already included in the menu price.

Does Virgin Voyages have a nightclub?

Yes — The Manor is Virgin Voyages’ dedicated nightclub, and The Red Room theater converts into a late-night party venue for signature events. Because the Lady Ships are adults-only, the after-dark bar and club scene is a core part of the experience.

Is there a bar only for suite guests?

Only one: Richard’s Rooftop, an exclusive top-deck bar reserved for RockStar (suite) sailors. Every other bar and lounge onboard is open to all sailors at no charge.

How much is a beer or cocktail on Virgin Voyages?

Beers run roughly $7 to $9 and house cocktails start around $11, with gratuity included, as of September 2026. About 40% of the by-the-glass wine list is priced under $11.

Can I share a Bar Tab with my cabinmate?

A Bar Tab is tied to the sailor who buys it, so the cleanest approach for a couple is for each person to hold their own tab or simply pay as you go. Because the tab is non-refundable once you sail, only prepay what you are confident you will drink.

Is tipping expected at Virgin Voyages bars?

No extra tipping is expected — gratuity is already built into every drink price. You are welcome to hand over extra for a bartender you love, but nothing is added to your bill automatically.

Ready to book Virgin Voyages?

Booking your Virgin Voyages cruise through our First Mate team costs you nothing extra — you get the same fares and promotions Virgin offers, plus a real Pixie Vacations advisor who has sailed the Lady Ships to help you pick the right ship, cabin and sailing. Browse live Virgin Voyages sailings and prices here, or start with our First Mate booking page and we’ll help you plan the whole trip.