Good times at newly opened Last Shot Bar

Last Shot Bar is located beside Surf Rider Hotel along Beach Road in Chalan Kanoa. (Bea Cabrera)

Last Shot Bar located along Beach Road in Chalan Kanoa opened last week was borne out of a dream. Owner Travis Jones always had the idea of retiring and opening an island bar. Many years traveling for work as a contractor, he has been around the world and similar U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. When he landed on Saipan two years ago, it was while driving along Beach Road to his hotel that he realized this island is the perfect spot to do finally do it.

Jones said the people on the island have taken him in and changed his life and he values what they want “This bar was built in a year and a half after research and asking local people who have become my family and good friends what they want in a bar and why they don’t go to a bar? If they were to go to a bar what would it be? What you will see and hopefully experience in the bar are all the answers that I got—they like open air which I like too, nice and wide bars stools, a long bar, and a space for play as we have the dart board and pool table,” he said.

“I incorporated island and Caribbean feel colors and flare because I wanted to bring light and bright because a lot of people do not like to come in a dark atmosphere. I have a drummer friend on island and I told him, I will buy him snare drums if he can figure out how to play calypso music…afternoon drinking music that is light and fun… and of course local music that something people can dance to. We have a beach view where in the future we would have a beach party once a month,” he added.

Travis said Last Shot Bar does not conform to just one type of a bar. “I want my bar to be a mix of a biker bar and island bar that will come with decoration. I want it to be a hint of this and that so it is something familiar to people… this place is for everyone—singles, couples, husband and wife, etc. where everyone feels safe. I am happy to know that a lot of Chalan Kanoa people are excited to have a bar here,” he said.

Last Shot Bar owner Travis Baker is making his dream come true on Saipan and now calls it home. (Bea Cabrera)

“We are not serving food as I want to work with local restaurants like Pepoy’s [Resto Bar] because I want the businesses around me to make off money as well. Customers can call Pepoy’s with chasers available and limited menu for Last Shot patrons and they can also bring their own chasers and snacks…since we have a big space, we plan to bring in a big shuffle board, bean bags, corn hole, and full size Jenga game,” he added.

Aside from the good vibes, ambiance, and feel he wants his bar to be known for, he will also put in “shots” that will be unique and available only at Last Shot Bar.

“People have the notion then when you do ‘shots’ it means you will get drunk because shots doesn’t have to be alcohol based. I am from Wisconsin Lakes where you take your boat from one bar to another and taking shots considered fun times shared with family and friends. I plan to do a couple of fruit-based things here for locals and tourists, have their photos taken to take home as souvenirs so it is not about getting drunk but doing fun… always end up having fun. One that is already in mind is called ‘Hang 5’ shots where we put the drinks on a surfboard and a group will drink it all at the same time,” he said

Last Shot Bar will not conform to one type of bar. It is a bar where people will find something familiar and stay for a drink or two. (Bea Cabrera)

Parts of the bar are repurposed wood, and doors from a hotel in Garapan that instead of going to the trash, Travis salvaged. “Last Shot Bar is going to remain friendly, easygoing, and a place where people can just relax and enjoy a beer or a cocktail. If people have private parties, they can just call me to reserve tables for them and I am not going to charge. The bar can take in 93 people and 69 during COVID-19 so there is room for everybody… what I don’t want to do is to do everything fast and customers have a bad experience about it… I am going to let this grow on its own—we have a griller if people want to bring meat, feature a local tattoo artist have his space maybe once a month, and also in the plan is to have a Bloody Mary bar because there is nothing like that yet on island.”

“I run the place with the help of two ladies who have been in the food and beverage business for many years…I plan on dying here and I want this bar to stay open… and I told the girls you guys can keep it and run it forever. I’m not doing this for the money anymore and I plan on doing a lot of charitable stuff… where I come from, the bars are very active in sponsoring. These are things I want and be able to do in moderation,” Travis added.

Last Shot Bar is located beside Surf Rider Hotel and is open from Tuesday to Friday, 4pm-12midnight, Saturday, 2pm-midnight, and Sunday, 12noon-6pm. For more information call (670)588-SHOT (7468) or email: lastshotbarsaipan@gmail.com.