How new millionaires changed Nairobi’s social scene

The Nairobi party scene has drastically changed over the last decade that a Kenyan returning to the country would be lost on where to find his friends or have one for the road.

And the reason is the evolution of shopping stalls that now occupy several city joints but even more importantly the coming to the stage of new property buyers armed with dollars transited by  Somalis abroad and others possibly sourced through not so legal means.

The new millionaires in town staged a property sales craze that has seen members of the Somali community now occupy some of the prime spots in the city and Eastleigh estate in the process sparking a sharp price spike.

They mostly turned the former bars into restaurants featuring Somali dishes with no alcohol on offer.

Others were taken by new owners who either converted them to restaurants, chips cafes or supermarket malls.

A post by a journalist reminiscing some of the popular pups that were usually full to the brim even on weekdays set social media on fire as other party goers pointed out their favourite spots that are no more.

Some of the bars that fell victim to the new trend in town are Hunters, Polos, Tropez, Tacos, Ibiza, Wallet, Hornbill, Heartz, Verandah, Giggles, Zeep, Bettyz, Seasons, Psys, Club Sound, Jungle, Invitations, Tanager, Sevens, Pink Elephant, Maggies, Dados, Zanze, Zigzag, Maddy, Porter House, Florida 2000, Wine Bar and Steps.

Others a featuring new owners and businesses from the list compiled on the Facebook post are Roast House, Riveria, Hollywood, Shashamane, Winkers, Steps, Pipes, Samba, York House, Rim club, K2, Bottoms Up, Choices, Fillers,  Njogu ini,  Nyanza Club, Apple Bees, Liddos, Monique, Timboroa, Reke Marie and Beams, among others.

Simmers Restaurants, a popular spot for Lingala lovers, is also no more after being demolished b the county government.

Tanager, Zeep and Giggles were at one time mini-newsroom where journalists met to exchange story ideas, discuss the day’s lead story and socialise.

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However, new joints have come up and others redesigned but many are not favourites for the over 40s, who loved a quiet place to sip their beer as they struck deals or get to know what is hot in politics or the social scene due to their loud music and dazzling lights.