Le Select, the Gustavia Institution Founded by Marius Stakelborough in 1949

Opened on November 11, 1949, by Marius Stakelborough, Le Select is considered the oldest bar still operating in St. Barts. More than seven decades later, residents, sailors, travelers, and notable visitors continue to gather on its shaded terrace for a drink, a burger, and an authentic moment of local island life.

A Story That Began Before Electricity Reached the Island

When Marius Stakelborough opened Le Select in 1949, St. Barts was still far removed from the international destination it would become several decades later.

The island did not yet have electricity, and evenings ended early. Marius, however, refused to accept that social life should stop when the sun went down. He began inviting his sailor friends to gather at his home.

By the light of kerosene lamps and, later, Coleman lanterns, the small group read books, played dominoes, and shared conversations. Le Select was born from an extremely simple idea: creating a place where friends could continue spending time together after sunset.

This origin already reveals the philosophy of the establishment. Before becoming a business, Le Select was a gathering place built around the pleasure of sharing time with others.

November 11, 1949, marked its official opening. The date would later become an important annual occasion, celebrated through several memorable anniversaries.

Marius Stakelborough, a Sailor Who Became a Gustavia Legend

The story of Le Select is inseparable from that of its founder.

Born in Gustavia in 1923, Marius Stakelborough grew up in a modest St. Barts where professional opportunities remained limited. Like many island men of his generation, he turned to the sea and became a sailor.

His travels introduced him to other Caribbean islands and gave him a life experience deeply shaped by encounters and conversation. When he returned to settle in St. Barts with his wife, Hélène, and their family, he wanted to create a welcoming and accessible place.

Le Select had humble beginnings. A few tables, chairs, and a simple setting were enough to bring residents together. Its charm came not from elaborate décor, but from Marius’s personality and his natural ability to welcome everyone.

Well into his later years, he continued visiting his beloved establishment regularly. His presence, stories, and relationship with longtime customers helped make Le Select a profoundly human institution.

The Island’s First Bar Became Living Heritage

Since opening, Le Select has witnessed every major transformation of St. Barts.

The development of tourism, arrival of hotels, growth of yachting, and opening of increasingly sophisticated establishments gradually changed the island. Le Select, however, remained faithful to its identity.

That continuity gives it special value today. The bar represents more than a historic address; it is a form of living heritage in St. Barts.

Its walls, terrace, and tables preserve the memories of several generations. Residents who gathered there in their youth now return with their children. Travelers who discovered the establishment decades ago continue to visit during every stay.

This history is not displayed behind glass. It continues daily through the conversations, rituals, and encounters that still bring the place to life.

A Simplicity That Has Become Exceptional in Gustavia

Le Select stands in the heart of Gustavia, just steps from the harbor and luxury boutiques.

Its simple setting immediately contrasts with the island’s refined restaurants and most exclusive establishments. Unpretentious tables, an open-air terrace, shady trees, and laid-back service create an approachable atmosphere.

This simplicity is not the result of a design trend. It belongs to the original identity of the place.

Guests can stop by without planning a special occasion, have a quick drink, or remain for several hours watching Gustavia go by. Conversations begin easily, and different groups of people naturally mingle.

In a destination often associated with luxury, Le Select preserves a rare sense of freedom: everyone can take a seat and enjoy the moment without following the conventions of a formal experience.

A Terrace Where Every Generation Meets

Since its earliest days, Le Select has played an essential social role.

Residents, sailors, yacht crews, seasonal workers, and international travelers gather on the same terrace. Notable visitors can mingle with regulars without changing the general atmosphere.

The bar does not create a hierarchy among its customers. Its conviviality comes precisely from the diversity of those who meet there.

During the day, the terrace follows the rhythm of Gustavia. Guests stop for lunch, take a break, or watch the activity in the street. In the late afternoon, the first drinks introduce a more relaxed mood. By evening, conversations continue in the same informal atmosphere.

This continuity from morning into the night makes Le Select one of the essential gathering places in Gustavia.

Intentionally Simple Food

The menu remains true to the bar’s spirit with food that is straightforward, accessible, and unpretentious.

Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and snacks provide options for a quick lunch or something to eat during the evening. The plates favor conviviality over elaborate culinary presentation.

This simplicity is part of the experience. Guests come to enjoy familiar food served at one of the island’s most historic establishments.

American and Caribbean influences meet naturally on the menu. A burger can be paired with a cold beer, while a ti’ punch recalls the bar’s roots in the French West Indies.

Le Select therefore offers an alternative to lengthy dining experiences. Guests can eat according to their own schedule without missing the distinctive atmosphere of central Gustavia.

The Legendary “Cheeseburger in Paradise”

Among the house specialties, the Cheeseburger in Paradise has become a true icon.

Its story is closely connected to Jimmy Buffett, the American singer whose musical world celebrated the sea, island life, and a laid-back approach to living. During his stays in St. Barts, the artist regularly visited Le Select.

A deep friendship developed between Jimmy Buffett and Marius Stakelborough. The singer even had a favorite table beneath a tree, which he called his “office.”

The title of his famous song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” was later adopted by Le Select for its signature burger with the artist’s permission.

Over the years, this connection helped make the establishment known far beyond the Caribbean. International visitors came to discover the bar, order its celebrated burger, and experience the atmosphere associated with Jimmy Buffett’s world.

Concerts That Became Part of St. Barts History

The relationship between Jimmy Buffett and Le Select extended far beyond the name of a burger.

The artist returned regularly to the island and participated in major anniversaries for the bar. He notably performed concerts celebrating Le Select’s 50th, 60th, and 70th anniversaries in 1999, 2009, and 2019.

These events brought together residents, travelers, and fans in an extraordinary atmosphere. Le Select’s terrace became an open stage, uniting an international community through music.

The concerts remain part of the collective memory of St. Barts. They symbolize the establishment’s ability to welcome world-famous personalities without losing its popular and convivial character.

Jimmy Buffett did not behave like an isolated celebrity. He spoke with residents, reunited with friends, and naturally participated in the life of the bar.

This relationship perfectly illustrates the spirit of Le Select: a place where fame gives way to the simple pleasure of being together.

A Family-Run Address

Despite its international reputation, Le Select remains closely connected to the Stakelborough family.

This family continuity has helped preserve the identity created by Marius. The establishment has naturally evolved to accommodate new habits, but it retains its role as a popular bar and community gathering place.

The legacy extends beyond the management of the business. It also encompasses a way of welcoming guests, knowing the regulars, and protecting the memory of the establishment.

Successive generations therefore care for a heritage that extends far beyond the boundaries of a restaurant. Le Select belongs to the shared history of Gustavia and St. Barts as a whole.