Sometimes we like to go to dark places. We like to observe. I think most people there are there to observe and let their steam blow off too. They talk to people. They tell others about their challenges. They tell them about their sorrows and joys. They make plans for their lives and share those with others even though nobody may be listening. They definitely reinvent the wheel at times. They may even do business. But they have fun doing whatever they do. All of this makes for these places something interesting for photography. When the environment (whether full of people and activity or not) shows a lot of darkness and shadows, it is so much more compelling for creating an interesting composition. I think people are drawn to darkness as much as they are drawn to light.
These are a few simple pics of a place that shows a little bit of that. I used my "iphone" to capture these shots during a quick trip to Long Island, NY. I manipulated the composition a little bit to make sure I eliminated eye sores from the shot when I took it. I later made it B&W to create a stronger impact and ensure that the focus was at the overall scene. As I was shooting I waited to ensure the scene was clean and natural.
Get out there and go shoot something like that. Do it with your phone. Try to get the feeling from the place. See what you get. Have fun!