The Wonderful Story of Pool Bar Jim’s on Hilton Head Island

The Wonderful Story of Pool Bar Jim’s on Hilton Head Island

Watching the Sunset with a Fresh Cocktail on the Island

There’s a legend on Hilton Head Island, well known for putting a splendid twist to the regular beaching experience. Picture yourself on the beach, the sun is setting, the warm breeze is giving you those vacation chills, and on top of it all, you have a colorful cocktail in your hand that is just adding an amazing touch to this beautiful view. So, who’s behind this fantastic idea? The man himself, James Lisenby, commonly known as Pool Bar Jim.

From Humble Beginnings to an Island Rockstar

This guy, Jim, is much loved around these parts. With his poolside bar near the Atlantic Ocean, he has become somewhat of an island rockstar. His fans, in their thousands, all anticipate the delicious harmony of a blender mixing a variety of colorful frozen drinks. Imagine walking into a live concert, everyone cheering and applauding — that was pretty much the scene when Jim, donning his bright Hawaiian shirt with a gentle smile, stepped behind his bar last month for a swift photo op.

It’s a delightful sight, but it doesn’t occur as frequently anymore because our beloved 76-year-old has stepped away from serving his tropical cocktails. Last year, Jim retired from bartending after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and Parkinson’s disease. Though he had surpassed the average retirement age already, Jim never envisioned leaving the fantastic poolside business he started three decades ago. He confessed that he misses bartending and called his crew “great”.

Pool Bar Jim’s: An Integral Part of Hilton Head Island Culture

Pool Bar Jim’s came about in 1993. Back then, Jim proposed a particularly unusual business idea to the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort — a poolside bar. At the time, it was quite the novelty. The island’s hotels and inns mostly served their guests with minibars or regular hotel lobby drinks. After a lengthy lunch, the Marriott decided to roll with it. It didn’t take long before Pool Bar Jim’s achieved immense popularity; serving tens of thousands of customers per year.

What made this business stand out was Jim’s approach. Drinks were thoughtfully constructed with fresh fruit in front of the customers. There was something for everyone: variations of pina coladas, daiquiris, margaritas, slushies, and a bunch of original Pool Bar Jim’s concoctions.

Jim even authored a 300-page book, “Pool Bar Jim’s Tropical and Exotic Drinks”, which featured his original recipes. Written in 2005, this book is a unique blend of recipe guide and a culture lesson on seashore cocktails. The book is dedicated to Jim’s son, Daniel, and his faithful customers.

The Show Must Go On

In 2016, Pool Bar Jim’s relocated a bit further down the beach to the Sea Crest Resort. Despite Jim’s absence from behind the bar, the place still had its usual buzz. He is now focusing on his health, consulting with a cardiologist, and looking into potential Parkinson’s treatments. However, Jim suspects he only has about five years left. He plans to spend them traveling with his girlfriend, Sue. The Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands, home of the Painkiller cocktail, is on his visit list.

Despite his circumstances, Jim seems content. After all, he does get to see all his friends whenever he visits Pool Bar Jim’s — his legendary creation at Hilton Head Island.