Athletic Club Bar

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Athletic Club Bar Review: Post-Workout Pours That Hit the Spot

Introduction. The Athletic Club Bar sits adjacent to the gym and basketball court area on Virgin Voyages ships — a casual bar designed for post-workout hydration (of the alcoholic variety) and general sports-lounge hanging out. It serves smoothies, protein shakes, cocktails, and beer. The vibe is relaxed and sporty, and it tends to be one of the quieter bars on the ship simply because most guests do not think to seek it out. Bar Tab package applies; smoothies and shakes are charged separately.

Drinks & Service

The protein smoothies are the unique draw here — the peanut butter banana shake is thick, satisfying, and a genuinely good post-gym option. The green smoothie (spinach, apple, ginger) is refreshing. On the cocktail side, the drinks are standard bar fare — a solid mojito, a decent gin and tonic, cold draft beer. The "Athletic Club Mule" (vodka, ginger beer, cucumber) is the signature and it is fine but unremarkable. Where it falls short: this is not a craft cocktail bar. The bartenders are competent but not creative — you are getting well-made basics, not inspired mixology. The smoothie menu is actually more interesting than the cocktail menu, which tells you something about this bar's identity.

Service

Service is relaxed and friendly — the bartenders here tend to be more conversational because the bar is rarely slammed. Wait times are minimal. Staff are happy to customize smoothie blends or adjust drinks. It feels like a neighborhood gym bar where the bartender knows you. Nothing exceptional, but reliably pleasant.

Atmosphere

Sporty-casual with gym-adjacent energy. The space is open and airy, with views of the basketball court and workout areas. It attracts a mix of post-workout guests and people looking for a quiet spot away from the pool-deck crowds. Where it falls short: the design is functional rather than inspired — it lacks the design ambition of venues like The Dock or Sip. It can feel like an afterthought compared to the ship's showcase bars. The upside is that you can almost always find a seat.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.4/5. Athletic Club Bar serves its purpose as a low-key spot for post-workout smoothies and casual drinks away from the main crowds. The protein shakes are genuinely good, the cocktails are adequate, and the relaxed vibe is a welcome contrast to the party energy elsewhere. It falls short on cocktail creativity and design ambition. Tip: skip the cocktails and order a custom smoothie blend — the bartenders are happy to improvise, and the results are better than anything on the official menu.

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