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I've heard two different songs from two different performers, they go as:

I'm inclined to waste my time in the avenues tonight


and

Another night down on the avenues.


Both versions are correct since they both were used by native speakers, but I can not find subtle difference between two sentences. What is the difference when one says on avenues and in avenues but both in the context of place?
And is it appropriate to say at the avenues what would be the difference?

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    I think it's more common to use on when talking about a specific street, e.g. on Fifth Avenue. When referring to avenues as a collective, I don't think there's much difference between on and in.
    – Barmar
    Commented Jan 23, 2017 at 16:53
  • And what about at? Commented Jan 24, 2017 at 6:14
  • at is usually used for a more specific place, not a street. You can say "at the corner of Hollywood and Vine".
    – Barmar
    Commented Jan 24, 2017 at 19:37

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What on Earth makes you thing all native speakers of any language always get it right?

I'm inclined to waste my time in the avenues tonight    
and


 Another night down on the avenues

are simply not comparable.

They share pretty-much nothing but ‘the avenues’ Did you notice that ‘I can not find subtle difference between two sentences’ is certainly not what you meant?

You might have meant ‘I do not understand…’ and what makes you think that is anything like the same thing?

Please carefully note, when one says 'on avenues and in avenues but both in the context of place,' one is clearly confused; OK?

There is no difference between in or on the avenues. It’s very difficult to imagine any circumstance in which it might be appropriate to think of you or I or anyone else being at the avenues…

All that Barmar says is wholly right and at, in and on are perfectly interchangeable, with or without the ‘down’ depending on the circumstances.

… down at the avenues
… down in the avenues
… down on the avenues

are clearly interchangeable in most circumstances and that doesn't change the fact that the examples you posted are in no relevant way comparable…

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