51 Degrees
51 Degrees occupies a two-level space on Ariapita Avenue that has become the default after-work destination for Port of Spain's professional class. The ground floor bar is long and well-stocked, with a cocktail menu that goes beyond the standard rum-and-mixer formulas found on most of the strip. An upstairs lounge and rooftop terrace expand the capacity to roughly 150, though the terrace is where everyone wants to be. Open to the sky with views across the Woodbrook rooftops, the terrace fills on Friday evenings starting from 5:30 PM as the corporate crowd arrives in waves. The interior design favors clean lines, subdued lighting, and dark wood surfaces. Music runs at a level that allows conversation until around 10 PM, when the DJ ramps up and the space transitions from lounge to party. Cocktails are the focus, with the bartending team taking genuine pride in their craft. The wine list is small but considered. Bottle service is available for groups willing to spend TTD 800 or more.
What to Expect
The ground floor is cool and dim, with the long bar counter catching your eye first. Heads turn slightly when you enter, the instinctive check that happens in places where people know each other. The bartender nods. The music is present but not aggressive. If you head straight upstairs, the rooftop opens to warm air and conversation.
Polished and social without being pretentious. The rooftop has a magnetic quality on warm evenings. The energy builds from conversational to celebratory as the night progresses.
Neo-soul, R&B, and chill soca early in the evening. The DJ transitions to up-tempo soca, dancehall, and Afrobeats after 10 PM as the energy shifts.
Business casual to smart. The Friday crowd comes from offices: button-downs, fitted dresses, leather shoes. Weekend evenings run slightly more casual but still sharp. You'll feel underdressed in sneakers and a plain t-shirt.
Professionals looking for quality cocktails and conversation. Couples on a date. Groups who want to start the evening somewhere civilized before potentially moving to louder venues.
Cash (TTD) and credit/debit cards accepted. The card machine works reliably here, unlike many Ariapita spots.
Price Range
Cocktails TTD 80-120, beer TTD 35-45, wine TTD 60-100/glass, bottle service TTD 800-1500, no cover
Cocktails ~USD 12-18 / ~EUR 11-16; beer ~USD 5-7 / ~EUR 5-6; wine ~USD 9-15 / ~EUR 8-14
Hours
Tue-Thu 4 PM to midnight, Fri 4 PM to 2 AM, Sat 6 PM to 2 AM. Closed Sun-Mon
Insider Tip
Claim a rooftop spot by 6 PM on Fridays or you'll be standing all night. The bartender's specialty changes weekly, so ask what's new rather than ordering from the menu. Tuesday and Wednesday offer the same quality experience without the Friday crush.
Full Review
Every city has a bar where the professional class goes to see and be seen after work. In Port of Spain, that bar is 51 Degrees. The venue occupies its Ariapita Avenue location with confidence, pulling a crowd that includes lawyers, bankers, advertising creatives, and the occasional politician who knows this is where conversations happen.
The ground floor bar is where the serious drinking happens. The cocktail menu runs to about 15 options, with the bartending team capable of going off-menu if you describe what you're after. A well-made Trinidad sour (local rum, lime, Angostura bitters, cane sugar) costs TTD 90 and justifies every dollar. The spirit selection includes imports that most Trinidad bars don't carry: Japanese whiskey, small-batch gins, premium tequila. Prices reflect this; expect TTD 80-120 for cocktails.
The rooftop terrace is the venue's calling card. Open air, with enough greenery and lighting to feel intentional without feeling overdesigned. On a clear evening, you can see the Northern Range mountains catching the last light while the city below transitions from workday to nightlife. Friday after-work crowds claim every seat by 6 PM. Latecomers stand, which is fine because the standing clusters create the social density that makes the terrace work.
The transition around 10 PM is noticeable. The DJ shifts gears, volume increases, and the bar's character changes from sophisticated lounge to something closer to a party. Some of the early crowd leaves for home. Others stay as the energy builds. A few head downstairs to the dance area that the ground floor becomes.
Service is good. The staff know their regulars and treat newcomers with professional courtesy. Bartenders are knowledgeable and don't rush you if you're deciding. The card machine works, which is worth mentioning because it's not guaranteed on Ariapita Avenue.
The Neighborhood
51 Degrees is on Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook, surrounded by other bars and restaurants. Mas Camp Pub is a short walk away. Buzo Osteria is nearby for dinner before drinks. The Queens Park Savannah is about 1 kilometer north, and St. James is a TTD 30-50 taxi ride.
Getting There
Taxi from downtown Port of Spain costs TTD 30-40 (5-10 minutes). From St. James, TTD 30-50. The bar is on Ariapita Avenue with visible signage. The entrance is at street level on the avenue. From Piarco Airport, expect TTD 200-300 and a 30-40 minute drive.
Other Venues in Ariapita Avenue
Mas Camp Pub
Iconic Port of Spain venue on Ariapita that doubles as a fete ground during Carnival season. Live music, cold beers, and a cross-section of Trinidad's social scene. The outdoor area gets packed on weekends.
Buzo Osteria Italiana
Italian restaurant that transforms into a wine bar and social scene after 9 PM on weekends. The outdoor terrace on Ariapita becomes a liming spot where cocktails replace pasta as the main attraction.
Kaiso Blues Cafe
Intimate live music venue specializing in jazz, blues, and acoustic performances. A different energy from the soca-heavy strip, attracting an older crowd that comes to listen as much as drink.
Shakers Cocktail Bar
Lively cocktail bar with creative drinks and a party atmosphere that builds through the evening. Bartenders put on a show, and the tight space creates forced social interaction. Loud and fun.
The Loft
Upstairs nightclub space above the Ariapita strip that opens late and runs until the small hours. Soca, dancehall, and EDM rotate depending on the night. The crowd arrives after midnight from the bars below.