IT will be entertainment galore tomorrow as Londoners Public House and Sports Bar, arguably the most popular club in the capital, celebrates its 27th anniversary.
The Strathaven-located pub, restaurant and sports bar, established by Peter Mubi 27 years ago, was the first public sports bar to open in Zimbabwe.
Londoners has played host to the who-is-who of Harare, with socialites frequenting the joint for all sorts of entertainment from music, football, food, and drinks.
The place has become a cosmopolitan entertainment and meeting place where people from all walks of life including businessmen, lawyers, doctors, politicians, among others frequently converge.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, Mubi said the concept of Londoners, with its iconic London Street names, bridges and tourist spots, among others, was formulated to revive the memories of most Zimbabweans who visited or stayed in the British capital.
“Londoners concept was originally that of a British pub with an Afro-centric feel and a heavy emphasis on promoting and creating opportunities for up-and-coming musicians, dancers and Dj’s,” he noted.
“The Londoners Sports Bar section was the first dedicated sports bar in Zimbabwe showing live sports with emphasis on soccer, boxing, rugby, athletics, basketball and F1 racing. To date, you will find it difficult to name an artiste of yesteryear who has never performed at Londoners.”
Mubi said clocking 27 years in the industry warranted celebration.
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“We have to celebrate this anniversary. 27 years we have gone through a lot together with our revellers and Saturday (tomorrow) we should have lots of fun together. Our anniversary celebration is just an appreciation of our customers over the years,” he said.
Londoners played host to several artistes, including the late Mtukudzi, among others and popularised activities that include pole dancing, which introduced popular dancers Zoey Sifelani and Beverly Sibanda.
“Several bands and artistes across genres were created and regularly performed here (Londoners). Among the artistes, who have staged performances are popular jazz outfit Jabavu Drive, Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu, Mbeu, Diana Samkange, Selmor Mtukudzi, Victor Kunonga, Amagents and Africa Revenge as well as wheel spinners such as DJs Hitman, Peter Johns, Kelvin Soul Supreme and Tosh, among others,” he said.
Mubi said in keeping with modern-day trends, they recently completed major renovations to the sports bar side, with Londoners Pub to follow next year.
“To complete the hat-trick, we then bought the premises next door to create Londoners Bottlestore, a very successful addition with a well-stocked variety of beverages. We have been well supported by the big players in the industry such as Delta Beverages and African Distillers whom we cannot thank enough,” he noted.
Mubi said the club had also continued with its social corporate responsibility of giving back to the community.
“The on-going success and support from the patrons have enabled us to plough back and provide significant material assistance to various charities, schools for deaf and dumb children, handicapped basketball teams, subsistence for non-performing artistes during COVID-19 lockdown,” he noted.
“We facilitated and sponsored various soccer, athletics and basketball club and national teams through this establishment and have hosted world renowned superstars such as Andy Cole from Manchester United in his prime.”
At tomorrow’s celebrations, top comedian Carl Joshua Ncube and radio personality Tariro ‘Butterphly Phunk’ Mharapara will be the host, and guests will be entertained by SylvanousonSax DJ Paulito, DJ Nivek, Tony Friday, DJ Faffy and DJ Simba Tunes, among others.
Also to rock it on the turntables are DJ Torne, DJ Phat Child and DJ RDS.
