adminSome are of the feeling that it’s just high time some people forget the city pubs and instead go for the township sports bars if they are in need of a real experience of night life in the city.
Best put, revellers prefer to wind up the weekend in the townships. They have a sensible reason for abandoning night life in the city. Of late, entertainment in the city has become dull.
Of course, there are exceptional city clubs and exciting places for the serious extrovert, but there are a few of these pubs that match the vibe townships have to offer.
Where are the night crawlers headed to when they desert the city? They would not set foot at a shebeen, no. Neither would they be home.
The only place that has dropped the patronage in city clubs is the sports bar.
Imbibers, night lovers and the occasional outgoing chaps prefer the comfort of these sprawling bars.
For many reasons, the sports bar has become the “in-thing” and it is fast influencing a culture in ways never seen in the history of clubbing. It’s the “avant garde” of the entertainment business!
Patrons now have the privilege to watch soccer and other sporting disciplines in the comfort of their bar of choice.
Who said imbibers and clubbers are not knowledgeable?
Thanks to the sports bar, some patrons now know European and African soccer clubs courtesy of DStv at the township sports bars. Something that was so rare in yesteryear.
These places offer what the ordinary city bar would fail to match — the idea of enjoying the night, spending one’s money close to home.
Besides, these sports bars boast of LCD televisions and are furnished to outclass rivalry.
Today’s township ambiance is different from what most people were used to in the 1990s.
The violence and gangster fever of that time is no longer there. This makes sports bars environment safe even for a first time reveller.
Sports bars are small but well air- conditioned. This gives a welcoming atmosphere compared to the big hall bars and those that classify patrons.
People who love to go out at night would attest that there are no first class or VIP treats, but everyone is given respect they deserve. People in these bars are not treated according to their social or financial standing, but just the fact that they took their time to share their night at a particular spot, is what matters.
Saturday Leisure went to three vibrant sports bars in Bulawayo and many revellers said they prefer to spend their cash in township joints.
Agrippa Ncube, a proud patron at Whatever Sports Bar in Lobengula, said he last spent the night in city pubs in 2008.
He said city clubs were becoming redundant in their entertainment programming.
“I used to love spending the night in the city centre. In the 90s, you wouldn’t want to be left out when your friends went out. For some time I discovered that it’s no use. Each and every bar would pump same music, same dance group and I felt cheated.
“There are a few clubs that you can say still have what it takes to entertain people. Our townships are better. The same DJs in the city are now flocking the sports bars. So I see no need to go to town when my favourite DJ can bring the house down at Whatever,” Ncube said
Patience Madzikatire of Mpopoma did not mince her words as she glorified sports bars as the places to be this festive season.
“You know what, if you have never been to a sports bar my brother, you are losing out. I go to Pata Pata and I get whatever I want. I drink ciders and the barman makes sure they are there in abundance. The music is of my taste and the manager makes sure that they play beats with that township flavour. The city centre is okay, but sports bars in the townships are different.”
Thomas Mlambo, a regular at Kidza’s Sports Bar in Luveve 5 also offered his opinion.
“Being in sports bars it’s like having a break away from the city’s madding crowd. You relax better. We do drink and go to city pubs, but with sports bars, you have to be there to feel the difference.”
Club owners have concurred with what their clients feel. They are proud to have pioneered the sports bar phenomena.
Those with sports bars in townships say their prime concern is to satisfy the untapped clientele base in the western suburbs.
Kidza’s Sports Bar boss, Kidwell Mujuru said: “It is a fact, people now choose to spend time at bars closer to their homes. The number of patrons at any given time is evident enough that city clubs are losing out.
“These are the same patrons that used to flock the city before we came up with the idea of bars that offer sports viewing in townships.”
Mujuru said people are not only fascinated by beer, music or television, but other social activities.
“Come to Kidza’s place and you will see what I mean about the township experience. It is the same in all sports bars. You would braai, dance and relax.”
It would seem the township sports bars are not only for the imbiber, but the sober soul can find solace and relaxation too.
Next time you want to have fun, head to the western suburbs. You won’t be disappointed.
Online Reporter