Cam,
Great topic. There are very few "bars" on this blessed planet that I have not felt at home at. Most of my life in the river city, Nailobi, has been spent in that bastion of craziness called Eastleigh. I have seen it up, and I have seen it down.
I have traveled across the great Mathare, to the mental clinic, to visit a close, dear friend, there. Not chained, but behind a barbwired fence, like a chattel. Hmmm.
But back to the bars: Last time I was in Eastleigh, we hung out at Lilliput, just two blocks off of Jujaa Road, a 1/2 block off the dump pile, a 1/2 block from Mathare.
I am seriously sad, because my uncles that brewed chang'aa are both dead. And, I do not trust anyone that I do not know to prepare me that spirit.
Let's see, we were talking about bars. My wife's neighbor brews bus'aa in Machengo. It is a women's cooperative; and I have met, albeit briefly, some very powerful women, that were barmaids in the 1950-70's prior to AID's and are no longer in that business, but are healthy and entrepreuners.
Then, there is Green. If you do not know Green, then you have never been to the river city.
I could tell you about so many experiences; mostly in the ghettos, but then; that's where the drinkers drink.
Peace.
My college daughter is trying to IM me; I hate that shit because it causes idle talk.
Oh, sugar, I am one to talk.
Full Version: Best Hang-Out Joints
theadr and Mbaka,
Nice to see we frequented the same places..., although I didn't go to Modern Green at all
. It was too scary for me. I went once with a friend to meet her ralative and that was that.
Remember AfroUnity near the Kenchic opposite Jeevanjee Gardens? That bar had kept its front doors open since time immemorial. Though I don't drink, I would hang out with reporter friends there and listen to the crooks tell their tales. It was the safest bar in the city because everyone in there owned a gun and I was sad to see it close down.
Apparently, the big 1970's thugs like Wakinyonga called it their second home. Also, the big crimebuster Mr. Shaw wouldn't walk in there unaccompanied.
A very, very famous Eastleigh joint is Mateso Bila Chuki (Suffering Without Enmity). I went there once to listen to Benga (Shirati Jazz).
Yesterday, I forgot to add that Matigari in Dagoretti Corner (which is still alive and kicking) is a must go. A landmark, a place where anybody who wants to be anybody should go.
A lot of our present ministers were arrested there during Mwakenya days. In fact, Anyang Nyong'o was still drinking there in 2001! My grandfather loves that place and still takes me there to eat chicken when I am home.
There was also the Rhino Bar in Kibera, which has now closed down (I think), and the Toyi Bar, by Olympic Primary School in Kibera. I would go there on Sunday afternoons with a friend and sit at the verandah and watch Evangelists on the field across 'save' people. It was so funny because after a while, the pastors would point at us and go on about the wages of sin, 'kujeni hapa tuwaokoe' etc, etc.
And they always had two pastors - one spoke in English and the other translated to Kiswahili (hehehe) and they would have the 'sinners' confess their sins for us all to hear. I still go to Toyi when I'm home.
mbaka,
It's very sad what they did to Mrs. Tumbo. They forced her to close Tumbo's down and then had some expats come in and have the new coffee house. But I heard she sued and managed to walk away with three million shillings. You know, our waiter's name there was Boniface. He had served my parents way back and was serving us when we frequented the place. I actually was depressed when the place shut down. But I hope she'll contact the authorities now that the gov'ts changed and have them look into the issue.
The problem with Nairobi is that the old, familiar mature places are closing down and the place is now overcome with these hip-hop noisy joints.
Maybe we should go and open a new, quiet place when we return.....
Nice to see we frequented the same places..., although I didn't go to Modern Green at all
. It was too scary for me. I went once with a friend to meet her ralative and that was that.Remember AfroUnity near the Kenchic opposite Jeevanjee Gardens? That bar had kept its front doors open since time immemorial. Though I don't drink, I would hang out with reporter friends there and listen to the crooks tell their tales. It was the safest bar in the city because everyone in there owned a gun and I was sad to see it close down.
Apparently, the big 1970's thugs like Wakinyonga called it their second home. Also, the big crimebuster Mr. Shaw wouldn't walk in there unaccompanied.
A very, very famous Eastleigh joint is Mateso Bila Chuki (Suffering Without Enmity). I went there once to listen to Benga (Shirati Jazz).
Yesterday, I forgot to add that Matigari in Dagoretti Corner (which is still alive and kicking) is a must go. A landmark, a place where anybody who wants to be anybody should go.
A lot of our present ministers were arrested there during Mwakenya days. In fact, Anyang Nyong'o was still drinking there in 2001! My grandfather loves that place and still takes me there to eat chicken when I am home.
There was also the Rhino Bar in Kibera, which has now closed down (I think), and the Toyi Bar, by Olympic Primary School in Kibera. I would go there on Sunday afternoons with a friend and sit at the verandah and watch Evangelists on the field across 'save' people. It was so funny because after a while, the pastors would point at us and go on about the wages of sin, 'kujeni hapa tuwaokoe' etc, etc.
And they always had two pastors - one spoke in English and the other translated to Kiswahili (hehehe) and they would have the 'sinners' confess their sins for us all to hear. I still go to Toyi when I'm home.
mbaka,
It's very sad what they did to Mrs. Tumbo. They forced her to close Tumbo's down and then had some expats come in and have the new coffee house. But I heard she sued and managed to walk away with three million shillings. You know, our waiter's name there was Boniface. He had served my parents way back and was serving us when we frequented the place. I actually was depressed when the place shut down. But I hope she'll contact the authorities now that the gov'ts changed and have them look into the issue.
The problem with Nairobi is that the old, familiar mature places are closing down and the place is now overcome with these hip-hop noisy joints.
Maybe we should go and open a new, quiet place when we return.....
Please invite me to the grand opening :laugh:
I promise not to start a brawl...
I promise not to start a brawl...
And we'll call it 'Sua Camarada' hehehehe!
Jobs:
Barmaids - Mbaka, Kat
Doorman/Bouncer - Mutha
Bartenders - Mambo and Humdul
Resident Taxi-Driver - theadr
Kitchen worker - Sooz
Sad, lonely woman talking to the Bartenders - Jackie
Bossgal - Me, of course!
Clientele - Mtaalam, Haki, Observer (all ruminating on politics, till we kick them out, close the door and have a ball).
Jobs:
Barmaids - Mbaka, Kat
Doorman/Bouncer - Mutha
Bartenders - Mambo and Humdul
Resident Taxi-Driver - theadr
Kitchen worker - Sooz
Sad, lonely woman talking to the Bartenders - Jackie
Bossgal - Me, of course!
Clientele - Mtaalam, Haki, Observer (all ruminating on politics, till we kick them out, close the door and have a ball).
But Sooz,
The kitchen job is the best! Any bar worker can tell you that. You get to eat lots of stuff and pilfer some to take home hehehehee :) .
The kitchen job is the best! Any bar worker can tell you that. You get to eat lots of stuff and pilfer some to take home hehehehee :) .
Er, Sooz... sorry if I touched a raw nerve. It was all in jest 
.
.
Cam,
You better not give me the keys to the Taxi. :laugh:
You better not give me the keys to the Taxi. :laugh:
We can rotate the postitions so everyone can have their chance at them. Please note that I didn't assign anyone to bathroom duty. I volunteer to start with that.humdul!! when did you get back??
KAT,
I spent most of my 'Zaire Days' (very few) down in deep Bas Zaire.
But I've heard that Zaire nightlife is legendary. I wish I could go live their for some years and speak Lingala. What was the name of your restaurant and was it in Kinshasa?
Also, have you ever spent time in Lubumbashi and Kisangani? I know that the old Kisangani is no more (after the fighting etc) and I wish I had spent considerable time there before its demise.
And have you spent time in Kampala? Know anything of the nightlife there?
I spent most of my 'Zaire Days' (very few) down in deep Bas Zaire.
But I've heard that Zaire nightlife is legendary. I wish I could go live their for some years and speak Lingala. What was the name of your restaurant and was it in Kinshasa?
Also, have you ever spent time in Lubumbashi and Kisangani? I know that the old Kisangani is no more (after the fighting etc) and I wish I had spent considerable time there before its demise.
And have you spent time in Kampala? Know anything of the nightlife there?
Bossgal,
That is one great job!
You will however have to approve special diet (make sure you make it very clear to that cook Sooooz
) and daily workouts in the gym - and pay for them - then I will whistle away the night swinging my rungu and watching all the beautiful girls come in and theadr, don't worry, I will make sure I point out the unaccompanied ones.
A few cans a night - and the job is done!
That is one great job!
You will however have to approve special diet (make sure you make it very clear to that cook Sooooz
) and daily workouts in the gym - and pay for them - then I will whistle away the night swinging my rungu and watching all the beautiful girls come in and theadr, don't worry, I will make sure I point out the unaccompanied ones.A few cans a night - and the job is done!
No..., never been to Lubumbashi... Maybe later this year when I'm home.... sigh.....
Camarada & Co.
I am the clientele about to be kicked out. What did I do to deserve this.
With a luminary company like you guys.........I mght just start poetry reading nights.
I am the clientele about to be kicked out. What did I do to deserve this.
With a luminary company like you guys.........I mght just start poetry reading nights.
Are the applications still open? I want to be a bar girl/dancer.I could relive my wild days when i used to go to discos here and dance on a bartop with a kenyan friend of mine in an incredibly short skirt.(absoluteley drunk, no wonder I dont drink much these days)
The funny thing is that I went to the same place last year and the bar keeper said ati he missed us.He kept looking at me like he was trying to think if i was the same person or not
ps I can behave if u ask me to
The funny thing is that I went to the same place last year and the bar keeper said ati he missed us.He kept looking at me like he was trying to think if i was the same person or not
ps I can behave if u ask me to
The things we do when we are young and not thinking right?
I think that is fantastic!
Feeling free and collecting experience even if we fell on our nose sometimes.
I have to laugh when i remember the mornings after.
I used to bury my head under the covers and everytime i dived out, and remembered what i did the night before, i would shout out OH NO!!! then dive in the covers again.
My best memory as a young woman comes from those crazy times
I think that is fantastic!
Feeling free and collecting experience even if we fell on our nose sometimes.
I have to laugh when i remember the mornings after. I used to bury my head under the covers and everytime i dived out, and remembered what i did the night before, i would shout out OH NO!!! then dive in the covers again.
My best memory as a young woman comes from those crazy times
Forumnistas,
I'm sure we all enjoyed the 'Where to Go' thread.
I thought it would be nice for us to further promote tourism to our glorious East African shores (Kenya and TZ) by talking about the bars, restaurants etc we frequented back home and recommending them to one another.
-----
Well,
I used to go to the Ngong Hills Hotel on Ngong Rd, Nairobi, just before you get to Adam's Arcade. It's right after the Mugo Kibiru junction to Kibera.
I liked it a lot because the crowd was older and mature (no fighting) and the attendant band Malembe Stars played nice Lingala music. Also, there isn't visible prostitution and/or drug activity.
The kitchen is right next to the green swimming pool (nobody ever swam in it) and you can order nyama choma while you sit and drink, talk etc.
They have a Friday 'break down' when the band goes on and on (inside) and one on Sunday afternoons when it plays by the pool and invites other Zairois musicians to come sing and dance. Drinks are cheap..., unlike the posher city places. And Sunday, you can bring the kids along since they have acrobats and puppet shows to keep them occupied.
There are rooms for rent and trustworthy taxis outside till the wee hours of the morning.
---
Another place I would go once in a blue moon was Tumbo's in Adam's Arcade. Tumbo's had been around since the sixties and was a real landmark - in fact my parents used to go there too. Sadly, it closed down under funny circumstances and has now been turned into a coffee house.
For eating,
Malindi Dishes on River Rd (downtown Nairobi) is excellent. You can get the real Wali wa Nazi and other coastal dishes, fried sea-grass, Muhogo wa Nazi (arrowroot in coconut), Maharagwe wa Nazi (beans in coconut stew), fried fish and nice biryani and chapati.
The food is very cheap, around $2, but the waiters have no time to dilly-dally. When I was there, the same waiter would come and shout at me "Unataka nini!!!?" (What do you want?!?) and when I told him my order, he would shout it back to the guy in the kitchen.
They try to keep the place clean, though there's a lot of lunch-time traffic, but it's one of those must-go-to places in Nairobi.
I'm sure we all enjoyed the 'Where to Go' thread.
I thought it would be nice for us to further promote tourism to our glorious East African shores (Kenya and TZ) by talking about the bars, restaurants etc we frequented back home and recommending them to one another.
-----
Well,
I used to go to the Ngong Hills Hotel on Ngong Rd, Nairobi, just before you get to Adam's Arcade. It's right after the Mugo Kibiru junction to Kibera.
I liked it a lot because the crowd was older and mature (no fighting) and the attendant band Malembe Stars played nice Lingala music. Also, there isn't visible prostitution and/or drug activity.
The kitchen is right next to the green swimming pool (nobody ever swam in it) and you can order nyama choma while you sit and drink, talk etc.
They have a Friday 'break down' when the band goes on and on (inside) and one on Sunday afternoons when it plays by the pool and invites other Zairois musicians to come sing and dance. Drinks are cheap..., unlike the posher city places. And Sunday, you can bring the kids along since they have acrobats and puppet shows to keep them occupied.
There are rooms for rent and trustworthy taxis outside till the wee hours of the morning.
---
Another place I would go once in a blue moon was Tumbo's in Adam's Arcade. Tumbo's had been around since the sixties and was a real landmark - in fact my parents used to go there too. Sadly, it closed down under funny circumstances and has now been turned into a coffee house.
For eating,
Malindi Dishes on River Rd (downtown Nairobi) is excellent. You can get the real Wali wa Nazi and other coastal dishes, fried sea-grass, Muhogo wa Nazi (arrowroot in coconut), Maharagwe wa Nazi (beans in coconut stew), fried fish and nice biryani and chapati.
The food is very cheap, around $2, but the waiters have no time to dilly-dally. When I was there, the same waiter would come and shout at me "Unataka nini!!!?" (What do you want?!?) and when I told him my order, he would shout it back to the guy in the kitchen.
They try to keep the place clean, though there's a lot of lunch-time traffic, but it's one of those must-go-to places in Nairobi.
Camarada
Malindi dishes is my favourate restuarant since i know nairobi. Since Nairobi went dangerous to move around downroad, i improvice today going there. I where men trousers ( buggy ones) wear a cap and put my handbag in this heavy kenyan plastic bags.
Theatr
When i was a heavy drinker, i used to start at the 680 bar,
pass Tumbos and the Green bar used to be my last maskani of my drinking night tour, around 7:00am.
Nairobi used to be fun those days. And not to forget the small world in Athiriver.
Last time i was there, my sister and Brother inlaw showed me real posh places which i found very sterile and boaring. But there is one chinese restaurant at the westlands called China plate. They have chicken wigs, you have to be carefull not to bite your fingers, so yummy they are.
The Tratoria reastaurant, corner kaunda street, is the best Italian restaurant i know.
Malindi dishes is my favourate restuarant since i know nairobi. Since Nairobi went dangerous to move around downroad, i improvice today going there. I where men trousers ( buggy ones) wear a cap and put my handbag in this heavy kenyan plastic bags.
Theatr
When i was a heavy drinker, i used to start at the 680 bar,
pass Tumbos and the Green bar used to be my last maskani of my drinking night tour, around 7:00am.
Nairobi used to be fun those days. And not to forget the small world in Athiriver.
Last time i was there, my sister and Brother inlaw showed me real posh places which i found very sterile and boaring. But there is one chinese restaurant at the westlands called China plate. They have chicken wigs, you have to be carefull not to bite your fingers, so yummy they are.
The Tratoria reastaurant, corner kaunda street, is the best Italian restaurant i know.
Amen, Cam,
I'm in, err my wife is in, unless the Constitution changes to allow me citizenship. I promise that I will not "drink" ALL the profits.
I'm in, err my wife is in, unless the Constitution changes to allow me citizenship. I promise that I will not "drink" ALL the profits.
Sooz,
Put your leathers back on, and let's rumble. :cool:
Put your leathers back on, and let's rumble. :cool:
You're a brave man, theadr!
QUOTE (Camarada @ Feb. 05 2003,16:26)
Kitchen worker - Sooz
Thanks Bossgal, just the sort of glamorous new job I've been hoping for :angry:
I know - I've already done my time. I haven't always been a bourge housewife you know.
Well, I'd just like a better job, that's all :laugh:
Thats fine with me!! Probably the best job(if you can call it that) A beach bar would be even better-
I was trying to make a shortend compilation of some of my haunts from all over.
Camarada.. I used to own my own cafe/bar while I lived in Congo. It was a great little place..
In Tanzania (Dar) there were so many places so let me list my favorites.
1. Msasani Bay Villa Sunday nights dancing
2. Oyster Bay Hotel friday night dancing
3. Kilimanjaro Hotel Saturday nights we'd all hook up dance to the music of the Tanzanites
Shift over to New Africa Hotel..dance somemore drink a little konyagi go back to the Kili hotel stay till closing
4.Kunduchi Beach Hotel
Dar's Airport Pilot's Club a private bar the airline pilots would frequent great food.. Used to go listed to Remmy Ongala
Hotel A Go-Go
My mother loved Taarab music Saturday nights on Zanzibar it was dinner at the Barwani hotel, My parents would get together with friends business owners, if there was a concert they'd all go, my mother would dance her way down the aisle to give a few shillings to the entertainers..
So many many places.. In Kinshasa it was Visa Vie.. going to hear OK Jazz then move to another place called "Club 16" it was fantastic.. I miss the night life so much the best fun you can't compare to here to over there..
Camarada you said you went to KIn? did you go to these places?
Camarada.. I used to own my own cafe/bar while I lived in Congo. It was a great little place..
In Tanzania (Dar) there were so many places so let me list my favorites.
1. Msasani Bay Villa Sunday nights dancing
2. Oyster Bay Hotel friday night dancing
3. Kilimanjaro Hotel Saturday nights we'd all hook up dance to the music of the Tanzanites
Shift over to New Africa Hotel..dance somemore drink a little konyagi go back to the Kili hotel stay till closing
4.Kunduchi Beach Hotel
Dar's Airport Pilot's Club a private bar the airline pilots would frequent great food.. Used to go listed to Remmy Ongala
Hotel A Go-Go
My mother loved Taarab music Saturday nights on Zanzibar it was dinner at the Barwani hotel, My parents would get together with friends business owners, if there was a concert they'd all go, my mother would dance her way down the aisle to give a few shillings to the entertainers..
So many many places.. In Kinshasa it was Visa Vie.. going to hear OK Jazz then move to another place called "Club 16" it was fantastic.. I miss the night life so much the best fun you can't compare to here to over there..
Camarada you said you went to KIn? did you go to these places?
Camarada.. I know the areas very well I lived in Lubumbashi. Likasi Kolowezi While there we used to go to Okopi Bar..Karavia was kind of dead more for the expats that wanted a more sophisticated meal :cool:
Definitely Congo is known for the nightlife nothing like it anywhere the music never stops..
Definitely Congo is known for the nightlife nothing like it anywhere the music never stops..
Camarada.. thanks for the web site!!
Did you stay in Lubumbashi? If so where abouts? Golf, Centre Ville? did you ever go to Katuba to the market..My girlfriend who has since died of Aids had a bar in the Katuba .. Lubumbashi was quite the place..
Did you stay in Lubumbashi? If so where abouts? Golf, Centre Ville? did you ever go to Katuba to the market..My girlfriend who has since died of Aids had a bar in the Katuba .. Lubumbashi was quite the place..
Camarada
Why sigh like that....
Bar girl...with the pushup bras..and the all gear? At least you could trust us not to drink the spirits and feel up the bottles with water.
Why sigh like that....
Bar girl...with the pushup bras..and the all gear? At least you could trust us not to drink the spirits and feel up the bottles with water.
I'm glad someone mentioned the legnedary Tumbos at Adams Arcade. Sadly it closed down a couple of years ago but is now a great eatery always packed at lunchtime - one of the best places to eat in Nairobi that won't charge you an arm and a leg for good food. Another legendary establishment was the Bombax Club, sadly also closed - great live music.
That said, Nairobi's night life still rocks of you know where to look. Depends what you're after as well, but live music is still booming, and the advent of the properly skilled DJ is upon us there as well now that radio has taken off in a big way.
That said, Nairobi's night life still rocks of you know where to look. Depends what you're after as well, but live music is still booming, and the advent of the properly skilled DJ is upon us there as well now that radio has taken off in a big way.
madnie
That sounds like a place we have here known as 'Schweinestall' ( Pigsty)
That place is really noicy after 11 pm, with everyone dancing on the tables and the floor full of peanut shells.
They put basins full of peanuts on every table and refill them before they get half empty.
Somehow the owners believe that, people drink more when eating nuts
That sounds like a place we have here known as 'Schweinestall' ( Pigsty)
That place is really noicy after 11 pm, with everyone dancing on the tables and the floor full of peanut shells.
They put basins full of peanuts on every table and refill them before they get half empty.
Somehow the owners believe that, people drink more when eating nuts
mbaka
The place where we used to dance on the table was an ordinary bar.At the time we didnt have any idea where the nice pubs were so we used to go pub hopping.Start at the closest and move on every hour or so or when it got boring.
One day we enede up in the bar and it was bar number 7 or something so we were very drunk.
They had nice music and somehow we eneded up on a bar table.Everyone sort of stared at us for a few minutes and then started to do the same thing.
we would then go home,wake up thinking did I really do that!! So we would keep clear of the bar untill we were really bored and then go back after a few weeks.
The bar owner didnt seem to mind our outrageous manners.
Gosh the things we do when we are young and not thinking right!!!
The place where we used to dance on the table was an ordinary bar.At the time we didnt have any idea where the nice pubs were so we used to go pub hopping.Start at the closest and move on every hour or so or when it got boring.
One day we enede up in the bar and it was bar number 7 or something so we were very drunk.
They had nice music and somehow we eneded up on a bar table.Everyone sort of stared at us for a few minutes and then started to do the same thing.
we would then go home,wake up thinking did I really do that!! So we would keep clear of the bar untill we were really bored and then go back after a few weeks.
The bar owner didnt seem to mind our outrageous manners.
Gosh the things we do when we are young and not thinking right!!!
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.