Nairobi’s Florida franchise restructures

The interior of the new Florida nightclub (F1) on Koinange Street. [Photo: David Gichuru/Standard]

The past two years have been a challenge for one of Kenya’s most iconic entertainment enterprises, the Florida Nightclub franchise. After losing their landmark ‘madhouse’ location to a developer with a different structure in mind, the franchise recently announced that their Moi Avenue establishment, Florida 2000 (F2), which sat strategically between a row of bars and stood next to Kenya Cinema, has closed its doors for good.

“Competition from newer clubs is one of the reasons we are restructuring,” says Jeff Waringa, the entertainment and marketing manager.

“We cannot sustain a club that charges a cover fee of Sh400 in a downtown location where the other clubs offer free access”.

According to Mr Waringa, F2 had lost its allure and was becoming notorious for the calibre of people that frequented the joint.

“As an established franchise, we do not want to be associated with the ills and infamous activities that were being witnessed at F2. We are out to clean up our image,” he explains.

The Florida franchise has been a mainstay in the entertainment industry. F2 used to be the battleground for emerging rappers and it is in the belly of the dark club that Kenya’s foremost MCs and entertainers like the late Poxi Presha, K South and Kalamashaka among others honed their skills.

The franchise moved away from hosting rap battles in the mid-90s to early 2000s and shifted its attention to attracting a mature, more discerning clientele.

It was this shift that had seen the establishment become a den of infamy. “We now want to run a leaner and better managed Florida,” says Waringa.

Madhouse, as the demolished structure that opened its doors in 1979 was known, was the most famous club in Nairobi where every big international artiste that performed in Kenya had to pass through. It had even made its name in the literary world.

In his book ‘Meet The Omtitas’ celebrated author Tony Mochama penned a few pages where Tommy, one of the characters, and his friends lose a few thousand shillings at the club. It was the place to be in the 90s.

The other establishment in the Florida franchise is the famous Florida Nightclub and Casino along Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa. Most every adult who was born and bred in Mombasa can confess to having been a loyal customer.

VIP booths

During a recent media cocktail party organised by the management at their new establishment on Koinange Street, the new space was showcased. Quite a big club, the franchise did not stray from its roots, with the club having a traditional dance floor at the centre.

Colourful 10,000 LED disco lights, which the management bills as the latest technology in the world, are suspended above the dance floor and around the nightclub that has colourful leather seats.

At the farthest corner, VIP booths that are tinted beckon for customers who value privacy. A cocktail bar sits at one corner of the long bar.

“We are urging customers not to get stuck in traffic jams but jam the evening away here,” says the General Manager, Hannibal Simba.

Their Friday nights are becoming legendary.

As things stand, the franchise will now run only two establishments - the new one on Koinange and the famous one on Mama Ngina Drive, Mombasa.

“We have no current plans to open another Florida nightclub. We will work with the two establishments to maintain our famous brand by offering the best quality of service...only the future will determine if roll out an expansion plan,” states Waringa.