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Johnny’s
By Tom Harvey
Lusaka, like many
places, is a city where one never goes out for a night on the town
alone. It's almost a requirement to meet up with a group. This is a
major ingredient of the recipe for a fantastic night out. A typical
night out (if there is such a thing) starts with a couple of relaxed
drinks at one of the 'trendy' bars, such as Rhapsody's. Then the
night really begins, as another ingredient for a good night out is a
warm up! I'm in no way saying that it is a must to whet one's
appetite with a vast amount of cocktails and almost neat spirits but
certainly, in most cases, it helps!
From there, final
plans are made and frantic phone calls are a necessity, flicking
through your contacts in your phone and trying to call as many
people as you know in order to get the group numbers up (this also
facilitates the convoy effect for the drive home, just incase!!!)
Once final plans
have been made it's a ‘sensible’ race to get there first to avoid
having to park your car around the corner or on the street. There is
usually ample and safe parking at most night spots in Lusaka but on
some occasions you may have to spend a good few minutes trying to
find a suitable spot!
The usual haunt
for a Friday or Saturday night is Johnny's, in Lagos Road.
Johnny’s has been
around for ages, formerly known as Chasers. It's been re-branded and
remodeled and has a very relaxed vibe. The original 'Chasers'
building still exists and the ground floor has been converted into a
pool hall and is one of the main pool playing spots in town.
The main bar and
restaurant area is in an all new building with an indoor pool and
what must be one of the most interesting (if not a little
disconcerting) dance floors in Zambia. It stretches across the
indoor pool. Pool party anyone? I haven’t actually seen anybody swim
at Johnny’s on a night out but I’m almost certain that there have
been one or two unintentional dips in the past.
The bar is
extremely well stocked and is very well staffed as every time I’ve
been to Johnny’s I’ve never really had to wait to be served which is
more than I can say for a lot of other places around town. The best
part about the bar has got to be watching your tab being prepared,
(that probably sounds like an oxymoron but by that stage of the
evening we’re all a bit moronic!) as everything is worked out on an
Abacus. This is reasonably entertaining as it, in most cases,
appeals to the moronically intoxicated mind!
Food is also
available at Johnny’s and a light meal makes for a good starting
point to lining the stomach!
Johnny’s has got
to be one of the favorites in Lusaka. The music is good, the service
is top notch, the dance floor is packed and it usually makes for a
night to remember!
Entrance to
Johnny’s is usually K20, 000 but occasionally they have special
evenings so prices may vary but it’s always advertised!
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November
2005