Entertainment in Kingston
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Quad
This complex comprises four clubs, each with its own distinct personality. On the main floor is Christopher’s Jazz Club, a tasteful jazz bar where the city’s movers and shakers gather on a nightly basis. In the basement is Taboo, a so-called ‘naughty gentleman’s’ club with ‘exotic’ dancers. Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, two clubs open up on the top floor: the Voodoo Lounge, which tends to draw an older, more urbane crowd, and Oxygen, which attracts a twenty-something set always ready to get sweaty until 4am. The US$10 admission will give you entry into Christopher’s, Voodoo Lounge and Oxygen; Note that Taboo charges a separate US$10 admission.
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Weddy Weddy Wednesdays
The best opportunity for visitors to catch one of Kingston's free outdoor sound-system parties is Weddy Weddy Wednesdays, presided over by the biggest name in sound-system productions, DJ Stone Love in Burlington Ave in uptown.
Generally, the action doesn't start until a little after midnight and once it subsides most of the crowd troops off to the Passa Passa sound-system, at the intersection of Spanish Town Rd and Beeston Street, which blasts until sunrise. Another popular party is Uptown Mondays in Savannah Plaza, which begins around midnight.
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Gloria’s Top Spot
Around 100m east of the muster ground, this is the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night, when local men of all ages – from youths in the latest hip-hop fashion to geezers in yesterday’s duds – filter in and warm up at the bar to await the arrival of the women – from young and attired in spandex ‘batty riders’ to grannies in more conservative garb. By midnight, everyone is dancing to the latest sounds.
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Angler’s Club
AKA the Fisherman’s Tavern, this is a funky watering hole drawing locals who wash in and out, overindulge in white rum, and pick fights while bartenders boogie at the bar. ‘There are a few scalawags, but mostly it’s harmless stuff, ’ one bartender said. It has tremendous character on Friday night when a mountain of speakers is built 7m high in the square and ska music reverberates across the harbor.
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Cuddy’z
Perhaps the best sports bar in Jamaica, this hip establishment is the creation of the ‘Big Man Inna Cricket, ’ Courtney Walsh. TVs in each booth and a lively bleachers section with an oversized screen make this a great place to watch a cricket match. The Heineken Wednesdays are very popular.
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University Singers
Watch for performances by the University Singers, who are acclaimed for their repertoire of Caribbean folk and popular music, choral performances, madrigals, jazz, African songs and pantomime. Don't miss the Cari-Folk Singers, who are dedicated to preserving the Jamaican folk genre.
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Ward Theatre
Home to the National Dance Theater Company, known for its rich repertory combining Caribbean, African and Western dance styles. The Jamaica Folk Singers and the Little Theater’s annual pantomime – a riotous, irreverent social satire – are also staged here.
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Indies Café and Grill
Dark yet lively sports bar, patronized by young professionals with an enormous screen behind the bar, that gets rambunctious as the night progresses. Karaoke takes over on Thursday. Ignore the food on offer here as the kitchen pays it scant attention.
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Asylum
Still the happening scene, Asylum packs in the crowds from Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday is ladies night, with free admission until 11pm, and on Thursday the inimitable Stone Love sets up its legendary sound system.
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Little Theater
Puts on plays, folk concerts and modern dance throughout the year. The main season is July through August. From December through April, producer Basil Dawkins presents a ‘mini-season’ of smaller productions.
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Home 20 Sports Bar & Grill
Amusingly perched atop a functioning car wash, this welcoming outdoor joint is great for an early drink before heading out for the evening. A small kitchen serves passable fish ’n’ chips.
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Village Cafe
Another popular favorite. Thursday evenings feature a fashion show, but the place really gets rocking on Saturday night, when the locally famous DJs mix up a healthy dose of wicked vibes.
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Carlos’ Café
A pleasant, open-air bar with lively tropical decor, several pool tables, and martini specials on Monday and karaoke on Friday. In the evenings, the softly lit patio is a romantic place.
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Weekenz
This popular hipster haunt has variable moods, poetry on Tuesday, live reggae on Wednesday, dancehall on Thursday, oldies night on Saturday – and always a thriving after-work scene.
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National Arena
Kingston has frequent live stage shows, which are announced on streetside billboards. Top-name artists often perform at the National Arena.
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Backyaad
Drawing a younger crowd, this nightspot has a really loud sound system, fierce dominoes competitions and occasional comedy jams.
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Veranda
Small joint with outdoor seating that draws an after-work crowd. They enjoy the large screen TVs, cheap drinks and easy camaraderie.
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Priscilla’s
This quiet spot sustains a laid-back vibe and, on special occasions, live music. A great place to meet local Kingstonians.
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Island Cinema
First-run Hollywood movies can be seen at the single-screen Island Cinema.
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Carib 5 Cinema
First-run Hollywood movies can be seen at the five-screen Carib 5 Cinema.
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Infinity Nightclub
Around the corner from Asylum is Infinity, another happening dance club with theme nights.
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Palace Cineplex
First-run Hollywood movies can be seen at the two-screen Palace Cineplex.
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Pantry Playhouse
Presents comedies and dramas at a New Kingston playhouse year-round.
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Centre Stage Theatre
For theatre performances look for listings for Centre Stage Theatre.
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