Nakuru's night life: Will partyholics follow the wave?

Ever since Wave XO officially opened its doors late last year, revellers in Nakuru have had one more option for where to go and party.

For those who have lived in Nakuru for a while, you may have noticed that there aren’t as many nightclubs compared to a city like Nairobi, where one is often spoilt for choice.

Therefore, when a new club opens in the city, it quickly becomes the talk of the town.

Over the Christmas period, specifically on Christmas Eve, some people enjoy dancing the night away as they usher in Christmas. Ordinarily, the go-to clubs would be Space Next Door and  Platinum 7D.

During this time, we conducted a spot check to see what people were up to on Christmas Eve. Unexpectedly, we found ourselves at Wave XO, and the place was packed to capacity. However, when we visited the clubs uptown, they had fewer people than usual.

Additionally, over the past two months since its opening, Wave XO has become a new hotspot for prominent figures, politicians, and celebrities.

Brian Kibet, a university student, says he has been in Nakuru for the past five years while pursuing his studies. He notes that Nakuru has always had limited places for people to go out and party, which makes the hype and curiosity surrounding any new venue even more significant.

“The problem usually lies in consistency. The initial hype is always huge, but maintaining it can be a challenge. You need someone with a deep understanding of Nakuru’s party scene,” he says.

The fourth-year student observes that Nakuru’s residents are quite loyal and often return to their regular spots, whether they’re clubs or local joints.

Ann Wairimu, a salonist, disagrees with Brian, stating that nowadays, people consider various factors when choosing where to go out.

“I think it’s a matter of convenience. Personally, I stay in Shabab, so I find it easier to go somewhere nearby. Additionally, I believe it’s about how a club positions itself in the market. If you regularly invite the hottest DJs, people will eventually be drawn to your establishment,” she says.

She adds that ambience is also important to her, as she’s attracted to a classy vibe.

As for Eric Mbugua, an entrepreneur, he says he tends to engage in club-hopping, picking the vibe as he goes.

“I wouldn’t say I’m particularly attracted to the 'new and shiny' places, as you put it. Whenever I go out with my friends, we usually hop from one club to another, which gives us different experiences. So, I’m not initially drawn to new places,” he says.

He concludes by saying that when it comes to parties, people will always go where the fun is.

At the moment, Nakuru has three major clubs running the party scene: Space Next Door, Wave XO, and Platinum 7D.

Wave XO is expected to hold its official launch this week in a three day event, from February 14 to February16.