×
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
  • Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
  • The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
  • P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
  • Email: [email protected]

Club wars: Tactics that entertainment joints use to keep Kenyans 'hooked'

club wars

After popular Nairobi entertainment joint Tamasha Hurligham closed its doors about two weeks ago, the owners of 1824, the other talk-about entertainment spot in Nairobi and where almost all celebrities hang out at, were quick to poach the services of popular reggae outfit Dohty Family who has popularised their Monday night gigs at Tamasha.

In fact, Tamasha's closure left everyone shocked as no one had seen it coming. Staff members and clients woke up to a notice that read: “We will remain temporarily closed with effect from Saturday until further notice...”

One staff member told Pulse: “We got to the place and found it locked and did not know what to do. They did not even prepare us and now we are jobless. Most of us had not even received their December salaries.”

Unconfirmed sources indicated that some suppliers too had not cleared with the establishment when the unexpected closure happened.

One version has it that the club was closed after the owners of the land in which the club sits declined to renew the contract with Tamasha directors. Another version of the story has it that the club that is run by a number of directors was facing financial challenges. Tamasha is not the only club that has faced closure recently as a number of other leading entertainment spots have gone under, thanks to the cutthroat competition in the clubs entertainment sector.

1824, which is popularly referred to as Sunday School, recently faced a closure threat from Nairobi County, an action that some alluded was being engineered by invisible hands due to competition. The popularity of the club has affected similar businesses along the Langata entertainment hub, among them Rafikis and Off-Road. Its entry into the business was meant to be unique, by popularising its Saturday and Sunday party nights thus gaining the nickname Sunday School. Also, its high spending target middle-class revelers has worked out to see that the club survives the harsh times.

Vineyard is also another joint that has changed tact, targeting party lovers who like to party on Sundays.

Club Hyptotica, an uptown entertainment joint in Westlands, has now become one of the most preferred entertainment spots in the area due to its special incentives to patrons. Once in a while, the club gives free drinks to its popular patrons.

Not so long ago, the club started serving free breakfast to anyone who is in the club at 5am. It also offers free transport services to clients who may not be able to drive home after taking one too many. The club offers free car parking and security in case one does not wish to drive their cars home after a long night.

From low offers on bottled service, VIP sections to the extension of operating hours, most clubs have changed tact to attract the modern day client who could be more interested with just sharing a drink.

There are more celebrity themed nights, guest appearances by popular celebrities and socialites. Clubs are also employing ‘sexy’ waitresses who interact with clients more as opposed to the ‘old bartender’ of the old.

According to Ali Oumarou, the proprietor of Kiza Kenya, most clubs run into debt and struggle to pay their suppliers and staff due to extravagant club owners.

“Most don’t differentiate between the business and the entertainment fact where they spend on their friends. There are consequences of mixing business with pleasure.”

"If you invite your friends who drink on your tab, eventually you will have to bear the financial pinch. I rarely drink at my club. That way I can manage the business and entertain myself later,” he elaborated.

On competition, Ed Wanjohi, a businessman who used to run Lavish Lounge on Moi Avenue, explained that competition is stifling the industry and causing a lull. “There are many clubs that are operating on losses while some are closing down because of factors like too much competition and alcoblow,” says Ed, who elaborates that rent rates for clubs swings between half a million shillings to a million for a prime area around the Nairobi central business district.

“The person who has fun in the CBD is spoilt for choice and if they feel the music is not good or alcohol rates are a bit too high, they move on to the next club with their masses.”

This has seen the rise and fall of popular clubs with various successful establishments falling prey to debt and misappropriation forcing them to close down.

“If you observe, every new club is almost better than the last that opened. LED TVs, leather seats, attractive and friendly waiters and an array of exclusive drinks on offer are almost a must if one wants to remain ahead of the competition,” says Dan, a suave operator who is contracted by different investors to run their clubs in the CBD.

“Due to the population that works and pass through the CBD, properly planned clubs will always be marketable. Furthermore, Kenyans drink a lot and love to have fun. We are just giving them what they want,” he adds.

Parking lot clubbing, which features an open space, has also become popular and so are rooftop bars. Rooftop bars like G Skye in parklands and Kiza Lounge in Milimani have grown popular with the proprietors laughing all the way to the bank. The most popular urban parking lot bar was initially Bob’s Bar in Mombasa but recently 7D in Nakuru, the new Space Lounge on Ngong Road and Club 1824 have applied the same concept and attracted a big clientele.

“People are into the open space concept especially for the smokers and shisha lovers. Since most clubs get congested, open spaces facilitated by the parking lot come in handy with the natural ventilation welcome,” says Martin Kiarie.

Other clubs have decided to lure clients or maintain a serious, spending clientele by the prices they offer for their drinks.

On any weekend, clubs like Tribeka, Mojos, Gravity, Mist and Zodiak are fully packed, with scores of revelers opting to stand by the bar and in any free space available.

The price of beer, which is relatively higher in Tribeka and the upper floor of Club Edge, has not stopped revelers thronging in. In contrast, clubs like Sky World on the corner of Ronald Ngala and Tom Mboya, Nectar, and the dozens of clubs next to Kenya Cinema, price their beers lower. These clubs are frequented mostly regulars and women of the night on the prowl.

“It’s not about the price of beer, but the crowd that turns up. People go to clubs that are always full. They also go to places where they can be happy with their friends. No one wants to have fun in an empty hall,” explains Dan. Popular reggae nights have even been established at Miraa corner since it is popular amongst the lovers of the music.

“They shouldn’t be discriminated (against); after all they are also spenders and are entitled to their preference. Reggae audiences are no longer rowdy like it was perceived that’s why they now give us nights even in the trendiest city clubs,” says Calypso of Rasta Family.

On theft and ‘mchele’ (drugging revellers), Tracey, a waitress who has worked at a number of joints, explains that cases of theft and ‘mchele’ usually occur where the staff is not well remunerated and this ends up creating a bad name for clubs.

“Some owners pay us between Sh7,000 and Sh10,000 a month. No one can survive with that in this city. So, some of the waiters and bouncers work in cohorts with those ‘mchele mamas’ to fleece revellers who are not keen on what is going on. The tips collected in a busy night can also make one rich,” she says.

Besides the mchele menace, many waiters are known to fleece party goers by inflating the bill by fixing ghost drinks. “If I have not been paid for two months and I’m serving a table that will spend tens of thousands with ease, I’m easily tempted to inflate the bill to suit myself. Nobody will give you money if you borrow them,” says a waitress at a city club.

In other joints, waitresses and bouncers openly solicit money from revelers, leading to such clubs losing clients.

Related Topics


.

Popular this week

.

Latest Articles