Kings Head Bar – the city’s longest surviving Irish pub

Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
One of Bulawayoa��s trademarks is setting trends in nightlife, which is why you dona��t have to go far to find an Irish themed pub.

The citya��s longest surviving Irish pub is Kinga��s Head Bar which some years ago was also known as a�?Mena��s Bara�?.

With new management, the bar still maintains the same elements that reminds one of the popular television show from the 80s, Cheers starring Burt Reynolds.

Situated at Selborne Hotel along Leopold Takawira Avenue and George Silundika Street, conserving the original theme is paramount.

Talk of dark wood panelling, a string music soundtrack, perhaps a Gaelic sign or a framed picture of James Joyce, and Guinness (beer) on tap and an addition of a Oliver Mtukudzi poster plus a Hugh Masekela pin-up stands out as one of the last of the original concept.

a�?I have been drinking here for the past 25 years. Most people who sit by that corner made friendships over a drink. We have lost some along the way, great men in society who made this their home like me,a�? said an imbiber refusing to be named, but is also a recognised academic.

This bar has a gender significance. Before independence, it was exclusively for men.

Yes, men, that is why until recently it had one rest room because there was no woman to think of.

In many places, pubs were the first structures built in newly colonised areas such as Bulawayo, they served multiple functions, simultaneously serving as hostelry, post office, restaurant and meeting place.

No woman was allowed to drink in bars in colonial patriarchal societies. This was despite that in African cultural set ups women brewed beer and they became breadwinners because of their skills in this industry.

A brief survey by head count on a Friday night at Kings Head Bar revealed there were at least 50 women there.

The manager, Hayden Reid said most of the female patrons were professionals.

a�?I see teachers, nurses and businesswomen to say the least coming here from time to time. I think we are carrying forward the bara��s rich history of attracting people of substance,a�? he said.

Just like the Cheers sitcom theme song lyrics: a�?You wanna go where everybody knows your name.a�?

Regular patrons know each other on a first name basis and there is room for more.