Hit Rewind

Shot at K1 Klub House

Photo by Paul Otieno (Paushinski)

By Lucy Munene

Let’s take a walk down memory lane. We’re going to walk as far back as 1980 when Nairobi’s streets were a whole lot narrower, the country was young and big hair was in. Let’s wait for the sun to set on 1980s Nairobi and get excited as the night creeps in. These are the hours when a few spots would be open. Places where you could go and sweat out your Jheri curl and whip your afro back as you enjoyed the best of Nairobi nightlife. Before the Mercury’s and Brew Bistros, there were certain spots where you could get a kilogram of nyama choma, wash it down with a Tusker baridi then dance the night away to your favourite tunes both local and international. Here are our two spots and a few honourable mentions that managed to take us back in time.

Shot at Carnivore

Photo by Paul Otieno (Paushinski)

Shot at Carnivore

Photo by Paul Otieno (Paushinski)

CARNIVORE

Before it expanded and became the place that hosted millennial events such as jazz festivals and concerts with Hip Hop artists, Carnivore was the place to eat, drink and make merry. As far back as the 80s, Carnivore has served up quality cuts, cooked to tender seasoned perfection. Outside of the beer they offer, Carnivore served up 4 simple cocktails. Our bartender of the day was Dennis Osiyo who has worked there for 15 years. As far back as he can remember, the Dawa and its counterparts have been served up to patrons. There was no room for doubt as he skilfully put together and presented the classic Kenyan cocktail. The dawa tray always has necks stretching and hands waving as patrons eagerly await the potent and surprisingly refreshing drink. I discovered the anecdote behind the making of this cocktail from one of The Bar Sage bartenders, Kevin Dunlop. “The story is that bartenders at Carnivore would complain of headaches and bad hangovers after drinking Caipirinhas so they substituted cachaca for vodka and added honey. They then began testing their new concoction on guests and it was a hit. One of the tests who was a big fan of the new drink happened to be the landlord of Carnivore and he ordered another calling it his ‘dawa’ which is the Swahili word of ‘medicine’. The name stuck and so did the cocktail.” He states that this took place 39 years ago which means this is probably the cocktail." He states that this took place 39 years ago which means this is probably the cocktail that paved the way for Nairobi’s growing cocktail scene. This innovation is apparent in the other cocktails they created which include the vodka-based Crocodile in The Sky and the tequila-based Saints and Sinners.

Now let’s leave the 80s behind and move into the 90s where flat tops reigned, American music was taking over the airwaves and the nightlife scene was growing.

K1 KLUBHOUSE

Across town, a family venture was about to change the game. K1’s story started simply, however in order to succeed they realised that they needed to play the game differently. At the time, clubs would charge an entrance fee or would require the patron to be a member to enter. K1 waived the entrance fee, covered the place in quirky signs related to the ever-popular Tusker and waited. The dance floor here was never empty afterwards. Many of those signs still hang around, lost in the new deco, watching over a new generation dance the night away to new millennial beats.

Sitting decisively in a corner of the K1 compound is Pitcher & Butch, a pub which is also a distinct part of Nairobi’s collective cultural story. It is the home of Jazz Nite Tuesdays. When the pub was constructed in 2000 it was the coolest watering hole in town for its modern vibe inspired by African aesthetic. Before Jazz Nite began, bars in Nairobi would close by 11 pm because nobody went out on Tuesday night. Safe to say that these days, Tuesday nights are lively at K1!

Both places have welcomed in different generations and if the walls could talk, I’m sure this article would be a lot longer.

Shot at Carnivore

Photo by Paul Otieno (Paushinski)

Honourable Mentions

KILINDINI BAR

I couldn’t talk about the nightlife of the past without mentioning the oldest bar in Kenya that sits unassumingly at the intersection of Mwakilingo and Machakos Streets in Kilindini, Mombasa. The establishment is almost as old as Mombasa itself. This simply decorated bar has seen historically significant writers and politicians as well as ordinary Kenyans as its patrons. If you’re lucky you can sip a cold beer here before it is replaced by the construction of the Likoni Bridge.