Beers in clubs – A Taboo in Abuja

By Chinwe Ochu

I grew up drinking beer. Yes, judge me. But it is what it is. Beer to many Nigerians is for the poor or drunks. You have ‘arrived’ as a person if your drink of choice does not include beer. Wine, champagne, brandy (in fact, spirits in general) sell more in environments that deem beer as low- class. That is Nigeria, in fact Abuja. In this city, the only places that bottled beer is available to customers are in open- air spots ( we call them gardens). And there, beer is sold at ‘pump price’, meaning the normal prices, with no extra amount added for the ambience of the place. Then, for a few other spots that manage to serve beer, they are sold in cans (which by the way have lots of health risks). But not clubs.

It is an unspoken taboo to request for beer in Abuja clubs. When you attempt to do that, everyone around gives you the side- eye; like you just said you were friends with Muammar Ghadaffi. Even recreational drugs like speed or ecstasy would be received more kindly. Its that bad. I have personally given a little thought to it and my conclusion, as ridiculous as they sound are factual.

Here it is. Abuja is a very plastic city and everyone is either something important or pretends to be. We operate the if- you- don’t- have it- fake it mentality. So, everything should be ‘high- end’ (that is if they know what it is). ‘High- end’ to an Abuja drinker is wine (even cheap Carlo Rossi is king), crystal, champagne (yet they never serve the caviar with it), cocktails (nothing more than Margaritas, Tequila Sunrise, Sex on the Beach), then all sorts of hard liquor. What a mess! That is ‘high- end’ for Abuja. Order beer and you are ostracized, set your liver on fire with spirits, you have ‘arrived’. Even good Cosmopolitan has not even made it to  Abuja. And you dare condemn beer? Really?

Clubs abroad, those countries that we strive hard to imitate, serve beer. Then, the really high- end ones, as far as I know, do not. But what club in Abuja is ‘really high- end’? None. So, lets snap out of this nonsense and get a- serving. The earlier we start ordering beers in clubs; I don’t mind in cans too; the more comfortable we begin to feel about ourselves. I believe low self- esteem and not being able to order what you want, is related.

Many club- owners claim they do not serve beer also for economic reasons. They make more money from selling other drinks, especially in shots. So, they compare the amount of money one bottle of beer would make to, like a shot of spirit. Then, they make a decision. According to them, selling beers to customers is not a wise business decision.

Whatever reason (real or assumed) that prevents people like me from having beer when we club in Abuja, is lame. Beer is the drink of choice for many residents and they should not be denied that. Its funny how much vigour I have invested on advocating for beers in clubs. With that same energy, I would find a cure for cancer.

*Ochu is an Abuja-based journalist and blogger