FEMININE POWER MEETS JAMAICAN RHYTHM: GOODY BAR DEBUTS AT KINGSTON REGGAE GARDENS
Female-Led Brand Challenges Industry Norms with Sold-Out Launch Event
GOLDEN SPRING, JAMAICA — When Canadian-Jamaican creative director Marleisse Stephens envisioned a space that would amplify Caribbean feminine energy through storytelling and cultural exploration, few could have predicted the overwhelming response. Yet January's inaugural Goody Bar event at Kingston Reggae Gardens proved exactly what many in Jamaica's creative community have long known: there is immense hunger for authentic Caribbean experiences crafted through a feminine lens.
With 150 attendees—all drawn through word-of-mouth and direct invitations without a single paid advertisement—the event demonstrated the powerful network already surrounding this provocative editorial and concept brand.
REDEFINING CARIBBEAN FEMININE EXPRESSION
"Goody Bar documents and reimagines Caribbean femininity for a global audience," explains brand materials distributed at the event. "We blend traditional narratives with contemporary expression to create something entirely new - bold, sensual, and unapologetically Caribbean."
This mission was evident from the moment guests arrived at Kingston Reggae Gardens, a riverside venue nestled in Golden Spring. Founded in 2021 by Belgian expats Cindy Reliszko and David Janssen, the venue's lush natural setting provided the perfect backdrop for Goody Bar's debut.
SCOTCHY SURPRISE BECOMES TALKING POINT
Central to the evening was a unique mixology experience featuring the "Scotchy Margarita" crafted by mixologist Candy Fruit. The signature cocktail blended tequila, Scotch bonnet pepper, ginger, and lime, creating a conversation-starting twist on a classic.
"Many guests admitted they had never tried a spicy cocktail before," noted one organizer. "They were pleasantly surprised by how the heat of the Scotch bonnet complemented the other flavors." The distinctive glassware also provided an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity that guests eagerly embraced.
This thoughtful fusion perfectly embodied the Goody Bar philosophy—taking familiar elements of Caribbean culture like the iconic Scotch bonnet pepper and reimagining them in unexpected contexts.
BREAKING BARRIERS WITH BEATS AND BONGOS
Perhaps most groundbreaking was the evening's musical direction. While legendary sound system Bass Odyssey anchored the event, the unexpected collaboration with DJ Reiizzr and live bongo drum players broke significant ground in Jamaica's traditionally male-dominated music scene.
"Having a female lead DJ isn't something you see every night in Jamaica," commented one attendee. "But the energy she brought, especially with those bongo players, took everything to another level."
This deliberate centering of feminine energy within a typically male space underscored Goody Bar's commitment to challenging norms while celebrating Caribbean cultural expressions.
A TRAVELING CONCEPT WITH TRANSFORMATIVE VISION
Looking ahead, Goody Bar will not anchor itself to any single location. Instead, future events will travel across Jamaica, with each new setting offering fresh contexts for the brand's mission.
"We're creating experiences that challenge perceptions while celebrating our distinct cultural lens," says promotional material for the brand. This traveling format ensures Goody Bar can reach diverse audiences across Jamaica while maintaining its core identity.
The success of this first iteration, achieved entirely through community networks, signals strong potential for a brand dedicated to documenting and reimagining Caribbean femininity through carefully curated projects spanning media, fashion, and cultural commentary.
For a community too often underrepresented in mainstream cultural narratives, Goody Bar offers not just an event series but a platform for expression that is, in their own words, "bold, sensual, and unapologetically Caribbean."