New Year’s Eve Extension puts Saturday Night on Center Stage

Grand Cayman was all aglow on for New Year’s Eve on 31st December, with venues from East End to West Bay packed with revelers ready to ring in the New Year.

With bars and nightclubs receiving an extension until 2am, the Island’s economy would have seen a much needed boost for Musicians and bands, as well as owners of establishments, many of whom had still been reeling from the effects of Covid-19 on the local economy.

Over the years, the Cayman Islands Government has been reluctant to extend business hours on Saturday nights, when music and dancing licensed establishments have traditionally closed at 11:45 pm.

“It’s a peculiar part of life in Cayman that surprises many visitors, who always tell me that grown folks should be able to decide for themselves what time they wish to go home within reasonable hours, instead of being forced to observe religious rights that they may or may agree with,” noted Carl Emery of Ontario Canada. 

He added that those who worship on Saturday and consider that to be their Sabbath were not given the same consideration, as Sunday and in that light, the idea of closing early on a Saturday night seemed unfair. 

Musicians who were able to work into the later hours of Saturday night on New Year’s Eve, echoed similar sentiments and noted that they would be more work if hours were extended because establishments would make more money and be able to facilitate more live entertainment.

“It’s good for the economy all round and Cayman needs a boost; especially this sector that depends so heavily on the hours during the weekend,” noted one Musician.

Having bars and restaurants opened later might even mean that some bands could feasibly do two gigs in one nigh.

On the other hand, there is a lot tradition in Cayman that supports the early closures and though some governments have expressed willingness to explore changing the law, no one has  gone as far as to have done so.

 What some persons suggest is to give the Church two hours back  on a Sunday by having liquor licensing establishments open later on on a Sunday morning and having bars and clubs open for two more hours on a Saturday night.

“We are at an impasse and even though people say Cayman is a Christian nation, we cannot neglect our economy. After Covid everyone was trying to make ends meet and when there is money circulating in the community, it’s good for everyone,” said business owner Johnathan Peris.

He added that as long a Cayman is a tourism destination, it is important to think about the bigger picture.