Kampala’s latest hangout
Jun 24, 2004
Sabrina’s Pub situated on Bombo needs no introduction. Named after Hope Mukasa’s fourth daughter, it has, for the last nine years, been a social staple in Kampala that attracts a loyal following mostly made up of middle and upper class clientele. <br>
By Joseph Batte
Sabrina’s Pub situated on Bombo needs no introduction. Named after Hope Mukasa’s fourth daughter, it has, for the last nine years, been a social staple in Kampala that attracts a loyal following mostly made up of middle and upper class clientele.
A lot of water has flowed under the bridges since Mukasa opened and then closed Sabrina 2 two years ago. Tongues started wagging that he was flat broke. The proprietor and his wife were not perturbed by the rumours. They simply smiled and embarked on renovating a dump, roach-infested dungeon at the old venue that crawled with fat rats and reeked of rat urine and dung.
What the two created out of that godforsaken dungeon and launched on June 3, has turned out to be one of Kampala’s best secrets; a hip, metropolitan hangout like the ones you might find in the big cities of Europe.
It is called The Executive Pre-Club. What makes it stand tall above the rest in this country is that it is the first pre-club bar in Uganda with different theme nights that one can define as sexy and hip in modern night life.
Since its doors were thrown open, it has become a favourite pit stop for those who seek a bit of elegance in their clubbing diet. The Executive uses the same entrance as Sabrina’s, but before you descend the stairs to the hall that houses Sabrina’s, you branch to your left into the reception area.
You go down a flight of red-carpeted stairs and soon find yourself in a softly lit world filled with a friendly mix of locals and expats. Your ears are immediately greeted by 70s and 80s sounds that bring memories of that era flooding back in bucketfuls.
With the exception of oldies-loving, prudish teetotallers like me, a sweep around the pub reveals that no one really feels out of place here. The pub boasts intimate settings; plush booth seats to sink into for those private moments as well as a dance floor that allows plenty of room for booty gyrations.
The visual appetisers include the Dstv entertainment the is projected on the four TV screens and the aquarium that has hypnotising effect for reducing stress.
There are no flashy, garish decorations like the one plastered on the walls of most pubs in town; just wood panelling that gives it a homely appeal. In fact, all around you, wood lines the walls. The ceiling too is made of big wooden planks that give the place a slightly raw, but relaxed feel.
And just like home, your comfort is taken into consideration with the friendly service from the beautiful, broad-smiling waitresses who will serve you flavoured vodka, cocktail pitches, chilled beers, soft drinks, roasted grills and snacks; the latter to soak up the drinks of course.
As you drink, the DJ treats you to a finger popping fusion of underground old skool soul, RnB ranging from the 80s, 90s to present day.
“I’m not competing with discotheques; I’m just filling the gap because there are clients out there who don’t love to be in a place filled with free-for-all mobs. I’m targeting those who like to go out and have fun without the fear of seeing themselves in The Red Pepper the next day.â€
The Executive is a place to see and be seen because it is right on top of the best in Uganda. In short, it is a five-star pub. My words not Hope Mukasa’s.
Ends
Sabrina’s Pub situated on Bombo needs no introduction. Named after Hope Mukasa’s fourth daughter, it has, for the last nine years, been a social staple in Kampala that attracts a loyal following mostly made up of middle and upper class clientele.
A lot of water has flowed under the bridges since Mukasa opened and then closed Sabrina 2 two years ago. Tongues started wagging that he was flat broke. The proprietor and his wife were not perturbed by the rumours. They simply smiled and embarked on renovating a dump, roach-infested dungeon at the old venue that crawled with fat rats and reeked of rat urine and dung.
What the two created out of that godforsaken dungeon and launched on June 3, has turned out to be one of Kampala’s best secrets; a hip, metropolitan hangout like the ones you might find in the big cities of Europe.
It is called The Executive Pre-Club. What makes it stand tall above the rest in this country is that it is the first pre-club bar in Uganda with different theme nights that one can define as sexy and hip in modern night life.
Since its doors were thrown open, it has become a favourite pit stop for those who seek a bit of elegance in their clubbing diet. The Executive uses the same entrance as Sabrina’s, but before you descend the stairs to the hall that houses Sabrina’s, you branch to your left into the reception area.
You go down a flight of red-carpeted stairs and soon find yourself in a softly lit world filled with a friendly mix of locals and expats. Your ears are immediately greeted by 70s and 80s sounds that bring memories of that era flooding back in bucketfuls.
With the exception of oldies-loving, prudish teetotallers like me, a sweep around the pub reveals that no one really feels out of place here. The pub boasts intimate settings; plush booth seats to sink into for those private moments as well as a dance floor that allows plenty of room for booty gyrations.
The visual appetisers include the Dstv entertainment the is projected on the four TV screens and the aquarium that has hypnotising effect for reducing stress.
There are no flashy, garish decorations like the one plastered on the walls of most pubs in town; just wood panelling that gives it a homely appeal. In fact, all around you, wood lines the walls. The ceiling too is made of big wooden planks that give the place a slightly raw, but relaxed feel.
And just like home, your comfort is taken into consideration with the friendly service from the beautiful, broad-smiling waitresses who will serve you flavoured vodka, cocktail pitches, chilled beers, soft drinks, roasted grills and snacks; the latter to soak up the drinks of course.
As you drink, the DJ treats you to a finger popping fusion of underground old skool soul, RnB ranging from the 80s, 90s to present day.
“I’m not competing with discotheques; I’m just filling the gap because there are clients out there who don’t love to be in a place filled with free-for-all mobs. I’m targeting those who like to go out and have fun without the fear of seeing themselves in The Red Pepper the next day.â€
The Executive is a place to see and be seen because it is right on top of the best in Uganda. In short, it is a five-star pub. My words not Hope Mukasa’s.
Ends