Louis’ Decree: Liquor Store Blues?
In case you haven’t heard, Mayor Louis Giuliani (better known as Louis Lee Sing), in his quest to shape Port of Spain even more in his Utopian image, has pointed his crosshairs at the popular liming sects of Ariapita Avenue and St. James respectively.
This planned change is hot on the lips of much of the Trinidad and Tobago public. Yes the news that the ambitious Port of Spain Mayor wishes to curb the availability of alcohol in Western side of the capital after hours has gripped the nation even more than the blatant lies being told about Security Intelligence Agency.
As I speak there has been an upsurge in the sale of torches and pitchforks as Trinidadians everywhere are preparing to raid City Hall.
But seriously, Lee Sing’s wish to, firstly, refuse to grant new restaurant and bar licences to properties in these areas and, secondly, adjust the licences of already established watering holes so that the last drop of liquor be served by midnight has irked even me.
Prior to this, the good mayor to his credit, has so far attempted to remove the homeless city dwellers from public sight among other aggressive initiatives which in the long run may do the city well.
This drive however, left me scratching my head.
But before I joined a lynch mob against Lee Sing, I decided to review the possible good and the bad of this decision.
I, like many others, have fond memories of early mornings in St. James and the strip and shudder to think what kind of death sentence such a ruling, if passed, would bring to liming niche so elaborately carved out in these areas. I first thought that I could not be in favour of this.
However, after a couple conversations, one in particular which appealed to my not so distant history as a Woodbrook resident. My stance changed slightly.
Ariapita Avenue and its now famous strip, which has become the cornerstone for a nightly lime for so many, has been the symbol of a battle long being lost by the residential folk of Woodbrook.
One of the many spots along the Avenue
This fight is not merely about the over-commercialisation of the area, but rather for the peace of mind of what once was one of the most unassuming areas in Port of Spain.
The last significant victory the residents of Woodbrook actually had in this particular fight was the revocation of the liquor licence of “The Zoo” in 2002. That victory was shortlived, as the spot which once held “The Zoo” was revamped and transformed into Crobar, which essentially was the genesis of Holly-Woodbrook’s emergence as a liming hub it is today.
Since then, I have heard numerous stories from some of my former neighbours (often while on my way to lime ironically) of trials and tribulations suffered and misdeeds witnessed due to the Avenue’s transformation.
Long sleepless nights are common. Car thefts, blocked driveways/poor parking, loitering of less than savoury individuals, vandalism and piss stained walls regularly came into play as well.
Now I experienced this as a Woodbrook resident growing up, but only for about two months a year; the Carnival Season. With the growth of the Avenue this is now a year long process.
And everytime the popularity of liming spots increased, so did the attention of those more prone to unbecoming or illegal behavior to the place once called “Cobeau Town”.
Let’s not forget that Woodbrook, an area so unknown for violence has seen murders outside Crobar and Corner Bar respectively within the last three years. While robberies, based on what I’ve heard have also increased.
But while I empathise with my former neighbours, I still have my reservations about Lee Sing’s plan.
The nightlife along the strip and St. James are staples of our culture, particularly considering St. James’ billing as “the city that never sleeps”.
Not being able to grab a Carib in St. James early in the morning doesn't seem right
Like it or not, a Trini lime is something tourists come to our shores to experience and to pull the rug under the feet of one of the better set centres for liming in Trinidad may not be so prudent.
It would be like removing Bake and Shark vendors from Maracas Bay.
The bar owners would definitely see a great dip in their revenue, which may not be the best thing economically, as Trinidadians have already been tightening their belts with regard to just about everything else except having a good time with Johnny, Puncheon, Hard Wine and other assorted spirits.
But it’s not only the bar owners in this area who would be on their knees beseeching the Mayor of the capital to change his mind.
Your friendly neighbour gyro-men, burger people and other assorted food vendors who make that late night hustle would also be feeling the squeeze. It should also be common knowledge that these vendors are not only God-sends to limers in Woodbrook and St. James, but club and party patrons in various areas who need to get a bite to sober up before they get home or even late night workers who don’t necessarily want to line up for a box of dead on Independence Square.
But then again, the change might force Trinidadians to be more innovative as to where they lime. It’s not like there is a shortage of bars in Port of Spain, much less Trinidad (Nari’s reopened recently people!). In fact, the Mayor specifically said bars on the Avenue and St. James, so bars along Tragarete Road, St. Clair or Cipriani Boulevard would be untouched right?
Additionally, a 12 am cut off means that a lime can still take place, albeit earlier, and that there may be less sleepy drivers on the road, meaning accidents may be reduced.
It can’t be that bad right?
I don’t know, I’d quicker enforce the rules along the Avenue, but St. James needs to be spared.
Thread carefully Mr. Mayor.
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Plain Talk, Good English
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In case you haven’t heard, Mayor Louis Giuliani (better known as Louis Lee Sing), in his quest to shape Port of Spain even more in his Utopian image, has pointed his crosshairs at the popular liming sects of Ariapita Avenue and St. James respectively.
This planned change is hot on the lips of much of the Trinidad and Tobago public. Yes the news that the ambitious Port of Spain Mayor wishes to curb the availability of alcohol in Western side of the capital after hours has gripped the nation even more than the blatant lies being told about Security Intelligence Agency.
As I speak there has been an upsurge in the sale of torches and pitchforks as Trinidadians everywhere are preparing to raid City Hall.
But seriously, Lee Sing’s wish to, firstly, refuse to grant new restaurant and bar licences to properties in these areas and, secondly, adjust the licences of already established watering holes so that the last drop of liquor be served by midnight has irked even me.
Prior to this, the good mayor to his credit, has so far attempted to remove the homeless city dwellers from public sight among other aggressive initiatives which in the long run may do the city well.
This drive however, left me scratching my head.
But before I joined a lynch mob against Lee Sing, I decided to review the possible good and the bad of this decision.
I, like many others, have fond memories of early mornings in St. James and the strip and shudder to think what kind of death sentence such a ruling, if passed, would bring to liming niche so elaborately carved out in these areas. I first thought that I could not be in favour of this.
However, after a couple conversations, one in particular which appealed to my not so distant history as a Woodbrook resident. My stance changed slightly.
Ariapita Avenue and its now famous strip, which has become the cornerstone for a nightly lime for so many, has been the symbol of a battle long being lost by the residential folk of Woodbrook.
One of the many spots along the Avenue
This fight is not merely about the over-commercialisation of the area, but rather for the peace of mind of what once was one of the most unassuming areas in Port of Spain.
The last significant victory the residents of Woodbrook actually had in this particular fight was the revocation of the liquor licence of “The Zoo” in 2002. That victory was shortlived, as the spot which once held “The Zoo” was revamped and transformed into Crobar, which essentially was the genesis of Holly-Woodbrook’s emergence as a liming hub it is today.
Since then, I have heard numerous stories from some of my former neighbours (often while on my way to lime ironically) of trials and tribulations suffered and misdeeds witnessed due to the Avenue’s transformation.
Long sleepless nights are common. Car thefts, blocked driveways/poor parking, loitering of less than savoury individuals, vandalism and piss stained walls regularly came into play as well.
Now I experienced this as a Woodbrook resident growing up, but only for about two months a year; the Carnival Season. With the growth of the Avenue this is now a year long process.
And everytime the popularity of liming spots increased, so did the attention of those more prone to unbecoming or illegal behavior to the place once called “Cobeau Town”.
Let’s not forget that Woodbrook, an area so unknown for violence has seen murders outside Crobar and Corner Bar respectively within the last three years. While robberies, based on what I’ve heard have also increased.
But while I empathise with my former neighbours, I still have my reservations about Lee Sing’s plan.
The nightlife along the strip and St. James are staples of our culture, particularly considering St. James’ billing as “the city that never sleeps”.
Not being able to grab a Carib in St. James early in the morning doesn't seem right
Like it or not, a Trini lime is something tourists come to our shores to experience and to pull the rug under the feet of one of the better set centres for liming in Trinidad may not be so prudent.
It would be like removing Bake and Shark vendors from Maracas Bay.
The bar owners would definitely see a great dip in their revenue, which may not be the best thing economically, as Trinidadians have already been tightening their belts with regard to just about everything else except having a good time with Johnny, Puncheon, Hard Wine and other assorted spirits.
But it’s not only the bar owners in this area who would be on their knees beseeching the Mayor of the capital to change his mind.
Your friendly neighbour gyro-men, burger people and other assorted food vendors who make that late night hustle would also be feeling the squeeze. It should also be common knowledge that these vendors are not only God-sends to limers in Woodbrook and St. James, but club and party patrons in various areas who need to get a bite to sober up before they get home or even late night workers who don’t necessarily want to line up for a box of dead on Independence Square.
But then again, the change might force Trinidadians to be more innovative as to where they lime. It’s not like there is a shortage of bars in Port of Spain, much less Trinidad (Nari’s reopened recently people!). In fact, the Mayor specifically said bars on the Avenue and St. James, so bars along Tragarete Road, St. Clair or Cipriani Boulevard would be untouched right?
Additionally, a 12 am cut off means that a lime can still take place, albeit earlier, and that there may be less sleepy drivers on the road, meaning accidents may be reduced.
It can’t be that bad right?
I don’t know, I’d quicker enforce the rules along the Avenue, but St. James needs to be spared.
Thread carefully Mr. Mayor.
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