This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
Friday, August 23, 2019, marked a day when the old-school bars in Nairobi were still thriving, defying the test of time. These bars, with their distorted lighting, scraped-up floors, and old seats, have managed to retain their charm despite the changing times.
For Kamlesh Kamau, 61, who has been patronizing one such bar along Juja Road for the past 33 years, these bars are like a home. He feels so comfortable that he often forgets he's spending money. In fact, he can even buy beer on credit, and when he passes away, the managers will likely fundraise to settle his debt.
Julius Kariuki, 52, shares a similar sentiment. He has no time for modern bars, which he believes are full of evil people who spike drinks and rob patrons. Instead, he prefers the old-school bars, where he can enjoy a drink without worrying about his safety.
One such bar that has stood the test of time is Kioi's Bar in Nairobi, which has been in existence since the 1960s. It used to sell muratina, a traditional Agikuyu brew. The management has no plans to change its style, and Job Kioi, the manager, is proud of the bar's unique character.
Older men, who now have few places where they can sit and enjoy a drink without too much noise, frequent Kioi's Bar. When it rains, the roof leaks, but customers just shift from the drops without any complaint. These bars are not pretentious and do not strive to assuage their patrons' egos.
Some of the old-school bars have no restrictions on how to behave once drunk. You can light up a cigarette without worrying about offending anyone. They also identify themselves with their tribal roots, and in Nairobi's Park Road, they have traditional names and spacious designs.
