'Hey! What are you doing tonight?" : A look into Urban Nightlife in Port-of-Spain
Friday, 11 April 2014
Under the "Influence"
Aria Lounge ( Ariapita Avenue) |
What influences our decisions when it comes to social life? What makes one particular area better than the other? Our preferences are determined, not just by physical attributes i.e. the way a place looks; it is also determined by what environments we are exposed to most on a social setting. I made it my business to visit numerous places that are considered to be upper class social settings vs lower and middle class social settings. Affordability is one major aspect that can be controlled by the business owner but as far as individual preference goes, it is mainly influenced by the environment we are most exposed to at the point in time. We tend have a taste for current music, trends, fashion; which are all subjective to change as the social environment does.
As the city of Port of Spain becomes more urbanized, its social sector is expanding at an increasing rate to meet the social demands of its population. Trinidad is a small island nation and the three most popular and widely dependent urban areas are Port-of-Spain in the north, Chaguanas in central Trinidad and San Fernando in southern Trinidad. These three areas are the main urban areas where most of the social activities take place. Port-of-Spain being being the capital of Trinidad' urban activity and development, especially for the social sector takes place more rapidly than the other two areas. Persons leave the central and southern regions to come into Port-of-Spain to experience the leisures available.
Nightlife....more than just a social setting
Networking taking place for DiQ event |
Mixing business with pleasure is often frowned upon. Many socialites in Trinidad gladly welcome the combination. Many business persons use the social resources found in our capital as means of networking. Social spaces that are said to attract social elites and persons of a high caliber are ideal areas for such meetings. It is actually a social norm in the city of Port-of-Spain. Restaurants and lounges have areas for dinner meetings. Companies rent out rooms at clubs and lounges to have media launches and business parties; the ideal environment for networking.
What food can I get at this hour of the night?
Believe it or not, food is actually a big part of urban nightlife culture. Aside from late night and early morning party goers rushing to fill their stomachs with sustenance to curb the alcohol, persons actually leave their homes to visit the numerous roadside food outlets to have hot and tasty local delicacies. From hot doubles, gyros, corn soups, punches, pies, even the coconut man. In Port of Spain, late night food is always available. Other than Ariapita avenue, one spot famous for such is the Queen's Park Savannah. The second largest round-about in the world and part of it is allocated to persons in search of quality local delicacies at nighttime.
The link below shows a wide range of well known restaurants often visit by our locals and preferred by our visitors
http://www.macocaribbean.com/trinidad/restaurants/
The link below shows a wide range of well known restaurants often visit by our locals and preferred by our visitors
http://www.macocaribbean.com/trinidad/restaurants/
Date Night or Everynight?
Girls Night Out JMalones Irish Pub (Movie Towne) |
For a more intimate setting, whether it be girls night out, family night or date night; there are many spots that can suit this agenda. Set in the western end of Port of Spain is Movie Towne. A small upscale area, where you can find numerous high end restaurants, a quaint shopping plaza and the famous movie towne cinema.
Movie Night Movie Towne Cinema |
Visiting movie towne can be a norm for some and a luxury for others; according to the lifestyle you live. The steep prices here help to distinguish the upper class from the lower class. Some persons frequent the area almost everyday whether it is to make grocery shopping, to buy clothing or just to chill with friends after school. Its location makes it ideal for persons who live in the upscale suburban areas of the West to visit it often. Persons coming from much further east rarely visit the area once a month or even less. In Trinidad the west is associated with the upper class and the East is associated with the middle and lower classes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)