I was taking a look at that place now called “Blu Bar”(Spelling may be wrong, who cares) in Claremont in Cape Town, opposite God’s gift to the inebriated, the 24 hour Woolworths! By the way if you want to make lot’s of cash, just open a Woolworths in Cape Town. Anywhere in Cape Town. As long as there is some sort of life nearby, you WILL make money.
I dug deep to think of this places old name. Oh yes. Sobhar. I had one or two good times at Sobhar, but nothing to get aroused about. But then I thought back to the last good party I had in that building…and it was when it was Billy The Bums!
Billy The Bums for some or other reason was just the sickest place on the planet. If my memory serves me correct here, Bob Skinstad had something to do with Billy’s. It was so rad there that ever since closing, it just completely lost the vibe. Re-inventing it by changing the name has not worked either. It seems that when the name Billy The Bums died, so did the soul of the place.
I saw it across from Woolworths the other day, and tears started welling up in my eyes(Nearly) and I just wished we could turn back time. I remember partying there until no one knows what time. Clocks did not work that late. There was something unpretentious about it, even though the big names went there, especially after sports games.
It was one of those clubs that just captured the Cape Town spirit, but the relaxed atmosphere of it all was what made it good for me. Not to mention the fine looking people there! Ooooh…so fine! So fine to touch!
It reminds me of The Green Man which used to be next to Boardmans in Claremont, just outside of Cavendish Square. Joel Stransky had a hand in that, and then it moved to its current spot, which might as well be in the depths of some gutter. It also changed it’s name to Tin Roof which has become the ridicule of Cape Town. People call it the Tin Dog, The Roof and “THAT muck place, I’m not ever going there again”, but every now and then you find yourself on a drunken evening, in there with your mates, who are at least 8 years older than the regular crew, and you party hard! Its got to do with the booze. Tin Roof is not a pretty sight when you are sober.
Many people have two speeds. Sober and trashed. When you are sober you can watch a DVD of Finding Neverland. When you are trashed, you can dream of a bad land and head to “Tinners” as it is also now affectionately called. That’s if we can mention “Affectionately” and an offshoot of the Tin Roof name in the same sentence. I don’t think we can do that. So we won’t do it again.
The only places to really keep their soul in Cape Town seem to be the old watering holes. It’s no big secret that I’m a big fan of Kelvin Grove, which is more of an institution than a club. If your parents were a member there, then you are no doubt also a member there.
Forres also comes to mind as one of those places that you go to, and your parents went to, and everyone knows everyone there. I often find myself knowing more old people there than people my age!
If Joel Stransky and Bob Skinstad can make clubs have such a cool vibe, I think it’s time more sports people open clubs! I’m keen for an awesome party.
Rather don’t let Andre Nel open a club though…we are looking for a place where sane people can chill out with a cold one.
Sean Lloyd
Editor
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