This archive report was first published on 25 December 2021.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Nyeri town was not known for its vibrant entertainment scene, with only a few bars and lounges offering late-night entertainment. However, with the pandemic forcing clients and hoteliers to adapt to a new way of life, entrepreneurs like Waruru Ndegwa saw an opportunity to think outside the box.
Ndegwa's concept, Joy Greens Entertainment Park, combines elements of outdoor settings and temporary structures on a two-acre piece of land. The park features open fire pits with sitting areas, a family play park, a Nyama Choma restaurant, a car wash, and two fabricated shipping containers turned into bar sections, as well as an open-air sound stage for live performances.
According to Ndegwa, the pandemic inspired him to create a unique experience that would attract clients. Many people preferred to park and chill, buying alcoholic beverages and staying in their cars, due to fear of contracting COVID-19 from crowded bars. With families forced to stay home for months, people wanted an outdoor experience where they could enjoy meals and have children play.
Ndegwa's solution was to lease a two-acre piece of land in a vibrant middle-class residential estate, accessible near the Nyeri-Nairobi highway. He chose to avoid the cost of buying the land and instead opted for a prefabricated container setup, which he believed was cheaper and could be designed to create a comfortable space for clients.
Across town, Julie Githinji has turned the backyard of her parents' compound into a garden restaurant, The Backyard Lounge, which has a rustic and homely feel. Paul Kibuchi, popularly known as PJ, has also turned his yard into a restaurant located in a residential house, Stutt Garden. Other hotels, such as FK and Bantu Resorts, have also adopted garden-style settings.
