Where big spenders meet

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Lifestyle Writer
For people used to living on a lap of luxury, money is not a problem but how to spend it. Remember, the more money one has, the more they spend and the happier they want to live.

The rich have different lifestyles because of varying backgrounds, religious beliefs and social tastes. While others enjoy reclining in hotel rooms, private restaurant rooms and house bars for weekend refreshments, the most outspoken ones enjoy hanging out in public places within their class boundaries.

And when the well heeled go on a night, especially in expensive and luxurious restaurants, they seem to spend blindly because they care less about figures that would make heads turn in ordinary joints.

So it’s common for those who have money to burn to host up to 20 friends with a bar bill that can balloon to almost $2 000 on a single outing.

They also tip the waiters with up to $20 per round of drinks and they really get good services for their generosity that is in many cases interpreted as extravagant flamboyance.

Competition is inevitable at such settings although it is mainly subtle. Money does the “talking” and the fattest pockets are always conspicuous. The wheels parked outside and the donned outfits also silently give statements about the “rich, richer and richest” night-riders.

Love or loath them, these are people who make bar owners wish they could have them in their space everyday since they make their sales go up. These people hangout in style and they love rewarding themselves for having money.

Then there are others that enjoy being associated with elegant lifestyles when they, in fact, hang on to the rich and pretend to be in similar classes with the big spenders.

These are dubbed minos who always dress smart and hang around with the bosses of Harare yet sometimes they would be literally broke and will just have the share their friends’ generosity.

The minons are those who are always asked to get the nicest girlfriend – being sent as messengers – and can go to the extent of going shopping for their boss-friend, the big spender has no time for all the runnings.

They sometimes will be given tips, just like waiters, to have something in their pockets. Love or loath them these hangers-on are also found where the big spenders meet. And they always justify their presence by competing to be the spenders’ sidekicks.

Back to the spenders, the list includes drug lords, dealers, business people, wannabe politicians, sportsmen and socialites.

Of late, Harare has been awash with top-notch bars where big spenders from company executives to some of the finest yuppies in town go out to hang out after a week’s hard work.

These are the sort of people who get entertainment allowances or those who keep wards of cash in a safe tucked in their offices.

A couple of clubs or bars that include The Volt, SpookHouse , Pabloz’ VIP Lounge, ZimCafe, Sushi and Wine Bar , Tin Roof, Pariah State, 1+1 Happy and Skyy Bar, all target big spenders who usually book in advance.

These are the places where they get VIP treatment all the way to the counter.

At Pabloz’ VIP Lounge prestigiously located the Borrowdale’s Sam Levy’s Village, is where it all happens.

Guest list and a dress code is strictly smart and those who want to come and have fun should book in advance.

The Pablo’z VIP Lounge offers a sitting service and a hostess awaits guests at the door before she takes them to their seats.

The upmarket VIP lounge hosts up to 150 guests who sit comfortably on the tables surrounded by leather sofas and couches.

For anyone to be certified guest at the VIP Lounge they should be able to down at least three bottles of their favourite whiskey, rum, or wine.

With regards to entertainment, the VIP Lounge opens its’ doors on Thursdays for live music performances.

In order to keep regular and new clients constantly satisfied, vibrant and intrigued – the VIP Lounge alternates LIVE performances every Thursday.

They also offer fantastic food and of course a wide selection of top shelf beverages.

With its state of the art décor, laid back jams, exquisite food and cocktail menu and of course the mature and sophisticated ambiance, the VIP Lounge exudes sophistication with our strictly smart dress code and age restriction policy of 25 years up, satisfaction is assured for all clientele.

Definitely a much needed mix of diverse cultural mingling and sharing of experiences. The prizes just tell you its is a place for big spenders.

Then there is ZimCafe Restaurant located in Kamfinsa. The new hangout is for the discerning club goers whose tastes range from anything between sea food and Asian delight, sushi.

Apparently, sushi is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients, seafood, vegetables and sometimes tropical fruits. Ingredients and forms of sushi presentation vary widely, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is rice.

This means that ZimCafe International will be dishing out fresh seafood including king prawns, lobsters and shrimp for those who love to wine and dine at the hangout.

Added to this will be other delights such as oysters and what have you.

ZimCafe International director Isaac Neshamba most commonly called F&B Guru said the hangout for the elite class of Harare.

“We are proud to announce the opening of our new branch at Kamfinsa shopping centre where we have gone a notch up to give our clients something different.

“We have opened a sushi and wine bar at the hangout which will specialise in nothing but sea food.

“We are going to be serving freshly made dishes that include sushi and a whole lot more.

“So we are inviting visitors, well travelled Zimbabweans to come and enjoy their favourite sea food at ZimCafe in Kamfinsa,” F&B Guru said.

Like all the bars and grill under ZimCafe brand, the latest is upmarket and although it is not strict on dress code and guest list, the entertainment is strictly for the mature and at times hard to please spenders.

They also have the karaoke days where revellers try out singing something which is popular once guests get tipsy.

SpookHouse located at number 190 Mutare Road is the new hotspot in Harare for open air entertainment and leisure.

But do not be fooled because there are no spooks at the venue. Word has it that a spook was spotted at the place. However, no one has seen the spook but a good number of patrons and waiters believe it’s there somewhere.

Within the shortest period after its launch, the place is now synonymous with great entertainment and revelry.

The allure of the place is its cool ambience and is only a few minutes’ drive out of the city centre. This is where you get to rub shoulders with some of Harare’s yuppies and executives over drinks or snacks after work.

Now famous for their signature pub lunch which is basically a kilogramme of rump steak which you don’t pay for if you are able to finish it as well as a kilogram of Buffalo wings, burger and pork ribs which is popular among revellers.

Music lovers usually go out to the SpookHouse to kick back and relax while they enjoy a couple of cold drinks and music.

The hangout opens during week days except Mondays for lunch and then over the weekends things get turned up with music by Steven Sanders who is more popularly known as DJ Stavo.

Other places that you get to find big spenders include the Volt and Skyy Bar where it is mostly music from the DJs.

For The Volt, one of the owners Spencer Madziya said it is high time people enjoy the night life the way they want it.

“We are tired of seeing Jay Z and P Diddy how they enjoy yet we somehow have the same concept and resources. Big boys of Harare want to spend and they are willing to work with the special treatment, so it is our job to feed them with that,” he said.

However, these places get packed after midnight for those who want to shake it off. These are just a few examples of the upmarket hangouts where big guns of Harare that enjoy public social life go.

They really spend a lot while the hangers-on keep them good company. The beautiful ladies of the city that have a penchant for dating the rich know exactly where to be and when to be there. And they are always there, showing their styles and spicing up activities on tables and on the dance floor.