The "Ave" Part 2

Photo taken at Kcasa de Italia on Ariapita Avenue

The many clubs and lounges found on the Ariapita avenue have to put up with competition from each other for customers. The best way to do so for them is to have drinks and party specials especially for the females and Tertiary level students. The expense is taken out of "liming" with all the "free before 11pm", "free drinks all night", "free entry for tertiary level students", specials. This enhances the social activity taking place on the avenue and even for many food vendors who come out at the wee hours of the morning to catch the hungry patrons on their way home after a night of partying.

Video showcasing party attended mostly by tertiary level students during summer vacation.

Many of these clubs even though they have their own party specials, they give specials for persons who wish to have private parties or gatherings. Most of them include private party rooms for persons who wish to enjoy the entertainment of the club in their own private circles. These high ended lounges are quite exquisite and with proper entertainment from some of the most popular DJs in Trinidad gracing their stages  once or twice a week, patrons flock to their venues in hopes of a good time.

Photo taken at Rosscos (Ariapita Avenue)

University students often frequent the avenue. The average age group that spend the most time at these clubs and lounges ranges from 19-26; which is considered prime university age. It is true that "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy", but it is most time argued that because many of these nightclubs offer such great deals and specials on partying for university students, it is more than just a brain cooler but more so a distraction. Many early morning accidents and road fatalities that take place in urban areas or on the highways is due to drunk driving; many of the victims are young adults.

The "Ave" Part 1

In every urban center there is an area or multiple areas allocated for social activities. In the global north, in larger countries like the US and Canada, these areas are quite extensive and often busy 24/7 365 days a year. The larger Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad have been working to increase the social sector as it brings in a reasonable amount of revenue. For Trinidad a.k.a the party island, its social sector is always booming whether it be during the week or on weekends, and especially on any of the 21 public holidays in existence. The most famous area for social activity is the Ariapita Avenue. This 1.81 km stretch is always bustling with activities. From the numerous nightclubs, lounges,high end restaurants, fast food restaurants and bars there is always a crowd. There are also a number of small businesses ideally set up to benefit from the constant visitation of persons to the avenue. 

Photo taken at Adam Smith square on Ariapita Avenue

The "Ave", as it is often nicknamed, provides for a wide variety of cultures and classes. It is interesting to note the differences in establishments and you continue west along the avenue. Eventually the high end restaurants,clubs and lounges give way to more outdoor, walk-in bars and street side parties. On weekends it is easy to differentiate where the upper class elite choose to spend their leisure time versus where the lower classes spend their time. What is the major cause of this variation? Does this mean that because i am of a lower economic class I cannot spend my leisure time at a high end club? What are the determining factors behind this disparity? Most establishments set out on the avenue with the mindset of attracting a more sophisticated clientele. They do so by implementing sophisticated dress codes and having higher entry fee prices, food and drink prices. Some clubs are even known for turning away persons because of the texture of their hair or particular hairstyles. Are these establishments wrong for influencing the type of crowd they would like to attract? How much does physical appearance influence patterns of social structure within this country? 

Photo of Bella at the western end of Ariapita Avenue

Why Nightlife?

                                        VIEW OF PORT OF SPAIN FROM THE LOOKOUT
                                               Photo Credit: Chanel Glasgow & E. Ettienne


       When we were told to create a blog for my course in Urban Geography the first thing that came to mind was Nightlife. As a young adult living on the east-west corridor of Trinidad I spend most of my leisure time in Port of Spain, or as I like to call it, the "party city" of the Caribbean because it is always alive with social activity. The lights, the food, the music, the "lime". Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad, is strategically located at the foothills of the northern range whilst resting along the north western coast not only is the view spectacular but its ideally accessible. First timers in Trinidad are always encouraged to visit the city, why? Its simple. There is something for everyone, and I mean everyone, to do. With Port of Spain being my main focus, there will be a few comparisons to other urban centers in Trinidad (Chaguanas and San Fernando) to see how urban nightlife culture may differ.

Photo Credit: Chanel Glasgow & E. Ettienne

      As a fellow socialite I often find myself visiting a number of clubs, lounges, bars, you name it.....just for the fun of it of course. However, one thing always interested me and that was the people. Where persons choose to spend their leisure time and why? What parts of Trinidad did they commute from? What do they consider most: cost, music, interest, dress codes, environment, friends, networking, etc. Even though there are many things to do, are your choices limited base on your ethnicity, class or finances? What other limitations might there be? All these questions I intend to answer in the upcoming weeks.

Feel free to leave a comment, question or even suggest what you may want to see as the weeks go by.