By Jeremy Stern

Few tears were shed when Club Latinos closed down last year, but heads turned when the club reopened a few months later as Clementine's.

In a caterpillar to butterfly transformation, the drab venue was reborn into one of the trendiest in Oxford.

The toilets were sparkling and both upstairs and downstairs were smartened up and given a more airey feel - a turnaround from the cliquey and sometimes unfriendly atmosphere of Latinos.

Clementine's in St Clements

"We've gone for a continental vibe but kept it simple with R&B and cheese," says owner Luis Carrera.

He makes it sound easy but then again the club has always, in theory, had it made.

It's St Clements location central for Brookes and Uni students and a welcome diversion for locals who don't fancy the hustle and bustle (and vomit!) of a night on the town.

Last term there were often large queues of students outside Clementine's at the weekend, with the 250 capacity comfortably reached.

The atmosphere inside was friendly, where other clubs can be stand-offish or downright hostile. The downside is there's not much room on the dancefloor and it can take a while to get served.

The end of term has brought an end to the good times though - for now at least. Numbers have dropped off dramatically, as most of the students have gone home. It's a pinch that many of Oxford's clubs and pubs are feeling right now.

Luis isn't too worried. "I expect 40 good weeks and that should happen. Maybe if it's quiet next Summer I'll shut up shop and go on holiday for a couple of months!".

Rest assured come September, the queues will back, maybe motivating other clubs to up their game and spend a few quid on a refurb.

"That would be a good thing," says Luis. "I don't see other venues as competition, because if more people are coming to clubs add pubs it raises interest which is good for us."

-----------------------------------------------

Clementine's
15 St Clements St
Oxford
OX4 1AB
For opening times call: (01865) 247214