Despite the brightly colored lettering against blacked-out windows, Vibes nightclub is easy to miss at first. At the long end of an L-shaped strip mall, it is almost swallowed up by the large, pitted parking lot and the side street next to it, which leads to the even larger 285 Flea Mart property.
But once inside, Vibes seems to be a country all on its own. The medium-sized establishment appears three times its actual size thanks to strategically placed mirrors. Like its owner and many of the businesses near it, Vibes is distinctly Jamaican. Huge murals, painted by an artist friend of the owner by the name of King Pinto, take customers down into Jamaica's bluest waters. Vibes owner Harry wanted to run his club as a true representation of Jamaica. "We aim to please everyone," he says. "And we do a lot of hugging."
Despite its thumping reggae, soca and R&B beats, Vibes is actually a spot for more mature and sophisticated lovers of the nightlife. "Where Mature People Meet" is Vibes' tagline. It is also a restaurant serving traditional Jamaican dishes along with the usual wings and fries type of offerings. For private parties of 20 or more, Vibes will provide free champagne and a free buffet with the hosts' choice of food.