Drinks blues on my birthday

The said radio advertisement was played on a very popular station claiming that a club within the biggest mall in south Trinidad was offering Saturday ‘‘Birthday Specials,’’ you buy the first rounds and upon proof of your birthday falling within that week, the house buys you the second rounds absolutely free. With an offer like that my friends unanimously decided that the club was the place to be instead. We were to designate a driver and the rest of us were going to enjoy our drinks.

Upon reaching the bar I enquired about the ‘Birthday Special’ and proceeded to ask for three bottles of the best scotch — just to keep walking (we are for the most part responsible drinkers), expecting to get six. Instead, I was told that the ‘Special’ was only applicable from 9 pm that night and not during the period 1 - 6 pm as we had earlier heard over the radio. I cannot begin to express the disappointment, anger and disgust I felt at being hoodwinked in such a manner and so I shall not, but I will mention that everyone else that accompanied me shared similar feelings.

All of us are primarily from north and as such, to turn back from south at that time and head to Maracas Beach would have been futile. Bitterly we had no choice but to stay and try to make the most of it and that we did, until one of my friends saw a sign within promoting the so-called Saturday Birthday Specials. After showing it to a few of us we realised that the sign was incomplete as it left out the most important point to note about the special, they did not state the time frame for which it was applicable — just claiming ‘Saturday.’

At this point I was totally sympathetic with my friend as he got extremely furious and began erasing the sign with his hand, after all it was totally misleading. This is when one of the bouncers of the club had a problem with us.

I was totally understanding of his responsibility but good grief; show some consideration to the situation as well. Fifteen strapping young men 22-26 years old, most of whom had been consuming some level of alcohol after being angered from false advertising, and now having to witness a bouncer wanting to eject our friend for doing what we all thought was appropriate. Well one thing led to another and we chose to leave the club, being roughly treated by the five bouncers present as we exited, only because to them we seemed extra calm as if we were entirely to blame. Like I said, thankfully we are mostly responsible drinkers, and being all budding academics, decided to retaliate via the pen and paper method. My only regret is that we spent over a thousand dollars in such a place after being scammed in the first instance. First impressions do count and the word of mouth and writing of pen are also as strong attractors as they can be deterrents.

In the end though, after stubborn dialogue, we could not decide who was responsible for the false advertisement, the club claiming they always have it from 9 pm and the radio station stating 1 - 6 pm. All I know is that ‘Saturday’ is made up of 24 hours inclusive of after 9 pm and between 1-6 pm as well. In addition, it is illegal to sell alcohol to persons under the age of 18. Who do citizens have to turn to rid ourselves of such false advertising?