MDCCCXXIV: Former 1824 club on reopening and seeking to change Kenya’s clubbing culture

The clubbing culture in Kenya has continued to evolve as more and more Kenyans embrace the culture and warm up to the sometimes unconventional ideas of several peculiar clubbing aspects - daytime drinking, Aluta, bottle service and Live DJ recordings.

Across Nairobi, entrepreneurs have been in some sort of a competition over who can establish the swankiest and most urbane party spot, with some ending up with colliding ideas and not-so-original concepts.

One of the most notable hang-out spots in Nairobi, for years now, has been 1824, a nightclub which redefined Nairobi's clubbing culture and an almost permanent fixture in the psyche of the everyday Nairobi clubber.

After its abrupt closure, which hit the headlines, 1824 is now back to serve the same vibes it used to - but with a whole different dimension.

The club's owners have now opened up and some of the several rules and regulations the club has put in place as they seek to revitalise the clubbing scene and streamline the city's nightlife.

While speaking to Citizen Digital, one of the proprietors outlined some of the challenges Nairobi clubbers encounter and how to fix some, if not most, of them.

According to him, Nairobi women have always sought safe spaces to party and not feel violated or denigrated. the proprietor feels like women, and some men too, feel unsafe when they go out and therefore, the need to inculcate the discipline of maturity in night-outs.

"Some women struggle to go out. It's just unsafe," he says.

"There are people who love maturity and respect and (are) trying to have fun. But the places they want to have it is either too expensive... Or not worth it..."

"Nairobi clubs are offering the same thing and yet they want a diverse crowd of people," he said.

The businessman also touched on the type of alcohol to stock and also, how to source it and price it given that the club needs to establish some sort of class and also, the need to keep the clientele safe when it comes to where they purchase their alcohol from - and what they could expect on the shelves. 

"We don't compromise on quality that's why we buy from select distributors, so that, in case of any complaint, it's on them, not us," he said.

"Also, there are brands we don't stock because they target a different kind of person..."

On pricing, he said, "One of the biggest problems in the market is overpricing... Pricing will be fair, but the standards and the rules will be stringent."

The new 1824 will also come with some tough rules aimed at keeping away troublemakers. These new rules will include; proper clubbing attire, and a very keen look at the harassment of women as well as the aspect of maturity, regardless of age or gender.

For instance, one cannot just saunter into the club wearing a football jersey whose team is not playing on that particular day.

"You can not have a Man U jersey and it's not playing. You will create tension. Also, football jerseys are not club wear. But also, we say, look the part," he says.

"You are in a public place, look the part. If you don't dress up, don't bother to come. We are not chasing money, we are here to shape the culture..."

1824's emphasis on dressing is informed by the fact that different occasions call for different attire.

"People used to try. You don't go to church in a tracksuit or a wedding in shorts, different occasions call for different outfits..." he says.

"Don't touch a woman. The goal here is safety for women. Don't harass women! If she's going to the washroom, let her go, don't touch her!" he says.

"We have special people assigned to deal with harassment cases. People with actual power to arrest and the police station is not too far from here..."

The club has also emphasised the need for maturity during the party, arguing that skimpy dressing and suggestive dressing may be offensive to some and so, one needs to mind their surroundings.

"Also, be mature. Don't dance suggestively if you're going to disturb the peace of the people around you..." he says.

While also maintaining that policing drunk revellers may not necessarily be easy, Lutta added that one needs to operate based on maturity, to personally restrain themselves from recklessness.

The management, the proprietor adds, has also purposed to hire an all-female security team, to not just enhance the experience for revellers but also ensure that women are secure and safe while they party.

"It's more of a question about progressiveness. As well as focusing on women's safety. I mean, who better to understand women's safety than women?" he asks.