Trinidad’s Space La Nouba nightclub, as the name suggests, aims to give patrons an “out of this world” experience. Designer Brian McFarlane (also known for his carnival costume designs), worked hand in hand on interior and exterior features with club owner Selwyn Persad to bring the concept to life. London’s Mondo magazine called Space La Nouba a “space-age homage to sci-fi”. One of the few purpose-built club venues in Trinidad, it’s been open for about 18 months in La Romaine, just outside the southern city of San Fernando.
What does the name mean? The club’s website at www.spacetrinidad.com/index.html explains that it’s called Space because “the interior and exterior of the building are especially designed to [resemble those] of a just-landed spacecraft, complete with the alien life forms”. As for “La Nouba”, it comes from the French phrase faire la nouba, which means to party or live it up.
The experience begins from the club’s exterior, which resembles a landed flying saucer. Inside, the fittings, such as the seats and tables, match the theme. Each area represents a different part of a spaceship. So the kitchen is known as the “Space Galley”, and claims to offer a range of “sumptuous interplanetary finger foods, beamed straight out of a fully equipped modern kitchen”. Meanwhile the bar menu includes its own bottled “Space water”. Even the staff uniforms are designed to resemble spacesuits.
The DJ booth hangs from the VIP balcony, giving DJs full view and control of their Space subjects. The lighting and sound system is meticulously cued. Add nitrogen haze and you may forget where you are and confidently call out: “Beam me up, Scotty!
