Architecture Digest -Local Bars

Not within the pages of Architecture Digest April issue 2006

In many Rum shops in Trinidad and Tobago, you just have to walk towards the back and pass by a special room generally occupied by “All-Fours” card players. If you may glance through the bead curtain, there is an atmosphere of heavy drinkers, smokers and gamblers. Sooner or later you’ll hear the sound of a full hand of cards thrashing against the plywood table followed by a ruckus outburst, “Pa pa yo…. I take yuh Jack!”

Trinidad Aesthetic – A gambling bar room with a plywood veneer table and matching set of black iron chairs

The Brooklyn Bar’s table with matching iron chairs and blue stenciled wallpaper works with the beige floor tiles.

Whats inside a Rum shop

This is the front part of a popular bar in Port of Spain called “Brooklyn Bar” which serves patrons intoxicating liquor. “Two intoxication drinks please”.
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Terms and meaning

All Fours is the national card game of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Neighbour, He Lick Up My Nanny”

Bar Art: Not seen from here, but a beer label was stuck on her stomach

Enter one of the numerous drink and food Bars across this land and you’ll be entertained by the imagery that beautifies and identities each establishment. Along with the poster of a woman playing a pan instrument photographed from behind showing her poom poom shorts yet advertising cigarettes, these are used for amusement purposes adding to the long-term liming. Pool tables and plastic white chairs are a requirement.


Queen serving her dish at a local Bar

To accompany these atmospheric moods, there is local music. Soca and Chutney lyrics are broadcast harping on, “I ride de cat” or “Neighbour, he lick up meh nanee,” both referring to the ferry (The Cat) that commutes to Tobago and an accident in which someone’s caretaker (Nanny) is struck by a car. Nuances and doublespeak understood only by us, Trinidad and Tobago (sorry).


The Cove; Pool tables and plastic white chairs

In popular Roti shops patrons can become forceful in their attempt to full their bellies. Here is an example: Older man to girl at the counter:


Blackboard menu – Rice Dhal Duck Goat

Man: “Hello, yu like older men?
Girl: “Eh”
Man: “I waiting so long, and yu not attending to me, nah, yu must don’t like man like meh”
Girl: “Looks so”
Man: “Yu trying to shame mih on dis Tuesday?”
Girl: “Well come back Wednesday”