Dolce Club still stands strong 25 years later – PHOTOS
In late 80’s and early 90’s, Nairobi’s city centre hosted several nightspots, popularly known back then as discotheques.
There were the likes of Florida 2000, the iconic Florida ‘Mad House’, Club 1900 and Ainsworth (Boomerang). Most of them closed down as the entertainment taste evolved into a concept that incorporates bar and disco all under one roof.
Dolce Club on Koinange Street is one of the few clubs in Nairobi that still survives from that old era.
Today few of the current clubs enforce a dress code as happened in the past, while the membership or cover charge has been replaced by free entrance.
Last Saturday, Dolce Club celebrated its 25th anniversary with the unveiling of its new VIP lounge that was graced by top entertainers, showbiz players and other patrons.
OLD AND NEW
Treasury Secretary Henry Rotich was the chief guest at the ceremony that brought together old patrons of the club and a new clientele that was stepping into Dolce for the first time.
Mr Rotich recalled that when the club first opened in 1992, he had just completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Nairobi.
“It is remarkable to have a club that enjoys the longevity that Dolce has, while retaining the same name and has also has managed to keep up with the changing times because very few establishments that existed 25 years ago are still in operation today,” said Rotich.
Dolce was started by Habib Omar Kongo, a seasoned operative within Nairobi’s entertainment circles who had previously been a director at another club, Lipps that was located on Moi Avenue in Nairobi.
“This is a club with a spacious dance floor just like we had in the old days,” said Mr Kongo.
The new VIP Lounge offers a more comfortable sitting and dancing area complete with a performance stage for a live band.
THEME NIGHTS
The club has introduced theme nights with karaoke on Tuesday, reggae on Wednesday, and the KECO International group, the resident band, playing rhumba on Thursdays.
The other nights will feature a mix of African and international hits selected by the club DJ.
The Dolce is an exclusive members club, catering to among others business people, professionals, diplomats, artists, local and international tourists.
Dolce has also entered into partnerships with international clubs to allow its members to access similar entertainment facilities wherever they travel around the world.