Coral Cove celebrated its grand opening with an exuberant crowd of 500 guests. Set against the stunning backdrop of the north coast, the club's patio, dance halls, and cabanas created a lively and festive atmosphere. Guests mingled around the seawater pool, illuminated by moonlight and vibrant lighting, adding a magical touch to the evening.

Published Monday, July 10, 1950

Opening night at Coral Cove

Coral Cove, the country’s newest night club set, as its name implies, upon an inlet – on the fabulous north coast of Jamaica – threw its patio, dance halls, and cabanas open Saturday night to 500 first-nighters who sat, almost cheek and jowl, but cool, around the huge seawater pool carved out of solid coral.

A waning moon threw shimmering shafts of silver into the blue-grey depths of the rippling waters in the Cove. Above the sealine, gay lighting illuminated the swim pool, patio and twin dance halls. On lower ground, terraced and also gaily lit, a section of the big gathering joined in the music and laughter.

No more complete cross-section of middle-class Jamaica ever assembled anywhere. The arts, the professions, the businesses, the civil service of the country, were all well represented. They came from far and near, but chiefly from Kingston, out of which a solid stream of cars went Saturday evening to return during the early morning hours of yesterday; though many remained over until daylight for a dip in the crystal waters of the shell-shaped pool.

A creature of the same inspiration that built the original Tower Isle - upon which a great hotel now stands – Coral Cove had everybody wondering Saturday night whether it also would have a world-famous future. So Mr T. Dixon was warmly congratulated for his foresight and enterprise; and was assured of full and permanent patronage. Mr Dixon, on his part, promised that 'The Cove' would always remain open to the middle classes of Jamaica, for whom heretofore there were very limited opportunities in the north coast tourist centre of Ocho Rios.

Ivy Graydon’s orchestra made the music. Eric Coverley presented a bright floor show and generally assisted Mr Dixon in the management of the club. A diving exhibition thrilled all and sprinkled a few who ventured too near the pool’s edge. But it was the feminine guests themselves who, in their display of high fashion, provided the greatest feature of all.

Service, for so unexpectedly large a gathering, was satisfactory. Altogether, the Coral Cove is off to a fine start.

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