NOT all bars named on a list circulating on social media—purportedly of establishments closed due to rising taxes—have actually shut down.
Some bar owners said they were confused to see their businesses included on the list, which began circulating three days ago. AZP News visited several establishments in the South on Friday night and Saturday morning.
At the former Rum Station Bar at San Francique, a new business—NiteLife Restaurant and Bar—was opened on Friday night. This after five weeks of around-the-clock preparation.
A neighbourhood bar owner told AZP News that Rum Station had closed years ago and the property was later rented to another establishment, Zumba Bar, which was also named on the list. Zumba Bar reportedly closed last year, allegedly due to illicit activities. The property was subsequently put up for rent.
The owner of the new bar at the former Rum Station location said she was excited about the venture, even though she admitted it was a risk.
“People always looking for a place to chill out after work.”
She said the focus would be more of a restaurant-style setting, after the property owner approached her about opening an establishment there. Homestyle food will be part of the menu.
“We decided to give it a shot. Today is the first day and we had a favourable turnout, so I don’t know if it will continue to be like this after the opening. We will have to monitor it and see.”
@azpnews.com Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo comments on TUTTA negotiations and says no let up on alcohol taxes. Video: Alicia Chamely @mpdavetancoo @moedutt #tutta #wagenegotiations #teachers #salary #finance
She plans to open from 9 am on weekdays to accommodate lunch, with later opening times on weekends.
The owner added: “People are drinking more of the cheaper beers; they are looking for more specials. I don’t see the exotic side going at a hype as yet because of the price.”
She also said there are no gambling machines at NiteLife.
At another bar in the South, the owner said a friend informed her that her bar’s name appeared on the list, so she made it a point to open on Friday night. She opened the bar in 2019 and re-opened after the Covid-19 pandemic. She admitted the business was closed for a few months last year, but said it was due to renovations—not for the reasons the public might assume.
AZP News observed many bars open on Friday night—some with many patrons, others with few. Establishments on main roads appeared to have more customers.
Another bar on the list—Charlie’s Bar, also in San Francique—was closed, and residents in the area said it had been shut “for some time.”
In Rio Claro on Saturday morning, Morning Star was open in the location where Livie’s Bar previously operated. The owner of Morning Star had rented the space to Livie’s Bar in the past. Livie’s Bar closed due to personal reasons, AZP News was told, and Morning Star’s owner later re-established the business under its original name.
At Chillax Restaurant and Bar in Fyzabad, the owner said she was shocked to see the business named on the list. She said the bar was closed for only two days for renovations, and there was activity on the compound.
“I was shocked to hear that. I was. I saw so many pages broadcasting it, and it is only very few that I can reach out to and tell them that it is not true,” she told AZP News.
She said customers messaged her after seeing the information online.
Chillax typically opens from 11 a.m., with closing time depending on customer demand.
“Yes, I am open, but I am struggling to remain open,” she said.
She explained that higher taxes and alcohol prices are making it difficult, particularly while paying commercial rates.
While she has gaming machines and said all her paperwork is in order, she intends to shut the machines down when her licence expires in March and is considering adding a pool table instead.
“The machines are on some days and people are not playing. They just buying their beer and they going,” she said.
She added that she has considered various options to maintain an income, but hopes the taxes will be reduced. She also noted that January is typically a slow month.
“It is hard. It is really hard. I feel it for a lot of bar owners and people who renting… It is very challenging. This time, it is like the worst ever.”
Some patrons said additional roadblocks were discouraging people from going out to “lime,” while others said they were buying alcohol at supermarkets and drinking at home instead.
When asked why he continues to drink alcohol despite increased prices, one person replied: “I doh buy, I does get.”
