Revealers having a great time at Gabz Lounge
The vibrant nightlife of Kampala, undoubtedly East Africa’s party hub, is undergoing a seismic shift as a wave of high-profile bars and nightclubs close their doors, leaving patrons and proprietors bewildered.
Earlier this week, Gabz Bar and Lounge, located on Luthuli Avenue in Bugolobi, joined the growing list of these establishments that have recently shuttered.
The closures, which include Levels Lounge opposite Uganda Museum in Kamwokya, The Garage on Tuunde Road in Ntinda, Luxe on John Babiiha Road in Kololo, and Mevek Lounge on Ntinda-Kisaasi road, are just a few examples of once-vibrant venues that have gone with the wind in the past six months. The list of casualties is expected to expand, according to industry experts.
The big question, however, is: why are these establishments shutting down? Interviews with industry insiders, bar owners, and patrons reveal a complex narrative that intertwines economic challenges, shifting consumer behaviours, and the lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the closures may seem sudden, the writing may have been on the wall for some time…..CONTINUE READING……