Wild pubs: Taming Monalisa?

On Easter Sunday, KCCA in collaboration with the Uganda Police (people who are used to music say collaboration and not “with the help of”) attempted to tame the party beast that Monalisa Royale is. They stopped a Chameleone concert from taking place due to illegalities.

“Chameleone can come here, but he cannot be a Chameleone,” said one of the KCCA offi cials. And what did the Monalisa people tell him? “You go away. We shall be our own Chameleones and there is no way you can stop us.”

It is the epitome of wild partying. The décor is deceptive, kind of laid back. It is deceptive because of what you hear and see as the
night advances to its logical end; staggering away in the morning after the breathlyser cops have had their breakfast. What you see is people drinking like they have been hired. Here are people who spend money with abandon.

With the grass thatch above their heads, they become village cash magnates from the look. And they are generous! If you are a woman and a free drink doesn’t come your way, please undress and prove to these guys that you deserve one! It did not happen over the weekend when we visited but it may happen soon. Everyone wants to give everyone a drink.

And the selection of alcohol (let’s not pretend here) is decent. The spirits and cocktail display is amazing. It “touches” the drinking glands immediately you step foot in. It has a rustic feel, which comes with that communal idea of sharing resources.

The action is at the wall at the back of the bar/club. It has transparent Perspex and you should see people viewing the electricity
wiring and insulation. People stop, look closely and you could think they are studying an abstract art piece. When you go there, do not study the wires. You study the faces studying the wires. You will laugh out loud, like one watching Just For Laughs. And for newcomers, that is how you join the wild party.

If you really want to know what Monalisa Royale can do to you, go there on Monday. It is the Oldies Night. The DJs have names like Vegas and Lagos. So you go to Nigeria and Lagos at the same time. Ehhhh! None of them is called Kampala, a reason why Musisi’s does not rule here.