Arsenal Kenya partnership with Tusker Lite Sky Bar

“We could have chosen any other supporters fans club, but we chose Arsenal Kenya.” Those were the words of Mr. Boaz Momanyi, Marketing Assistant Sky Bar. 

The official sponsors of Sky Bar is Tusker Lite, hence the name Tusker Lite Skybar in its social media handles. “You have the numbers, we have the experience,” he added.

Sky Bar is at the heart of Westlands Nairobi. Located off Waiyaki Way, inside Ibis Styles Hotel, along Rhaphta road. It is 450 meters from the Westlands round about.

Courtesy of Tusker Lite Sky Bar, Arsenal fans in Kenya are officially being invited to make Ibis Styles their home of entertaining soccer experience for all Arsenal matches in this 2019/2020 season.

“Hey guys, so we shall watch our match kesho (tomorrow) at Sky Bar in Ibis Styles. 

I urge you all to come in large numbers, lots of things in store for you. 

Invite all your friends let’s paint Ibis red,” read in part, a post by Gladys Gakenia to Arsenal Kenya fans on different social media platforms.

Balcony view at Sky Bar, Westlands

Well, it takes a little more than an Arsenal beautified poster and the venue direction, to convince fans that they’ll have a good soccer match experience. It’s no different with Arsenal fans in Kenya, and Gladys’ announcement was met with mixed reactions from the members. 

We all know why. Your guess is as good as mine; the beer prices. It’s a tradition that beer, nyama choma and wide screens make an amazing soccer experience, at least, if you cannot afford to catch the game live at the stadiums.

Seeing is believing. So I, and a few others went there to get the experience, first-hand. Dear Arsenal fans, Kenya, here is a brief overview of what Sky Bar offers.

Draft, German beer.

a). 2 jugs (2 litres) of Stylish Brew @ Kes 1,000. This is the German Draft   beer. The offer lasts until the first goal is scored, during the match time.

b). Local beers buckets offer @ Kes 1,500.  A bucket has 5 beers, any local beer of your choice.

c). Vegeterian platter and local beer buckets @ Kes 2,000.

d). Southern Fried wings, 1KG bowl with large fries and pitcher of beer @ Kes 2,200.

e). Large gourmet beef burgers, and large fries and pitcher of beer @ Kes 2,400.

f). Daily happy hour from 5:30 to 8:00 on all cocktails and Stylish Brew jugs.

g). Quiz night Tuesdays, Karaoke Wednesdays, Thursday Ribs night, Party night Fridays & Saturdays and Stylish Sundays.

It was more than obvious that we would inquire about the beer prices, as quick math shows that, a bucket of 5 beers for Kes 1,500 translates to Kes 300 a beer bottle. Mr. Boaz explained that, ordinarily a beer would cost Kes 450 and this he said is the standard beer price for most bars in Westlands owing to the fact that its an upmarket. 

Tusker Lite Sky Bar entrance

He also added that, enhanced features, the beautiful ambience, enough sitting spaces, prime location of the bar, excellent customer experience, proximity to the city center were some of the factors that were considered in their pricing. 

However, an offer of beer bucket for Kes 1,500 was considered in order to achieve this endeared partnership with Arsenal fans in Kenya.

Mr. Boaz assured us, the few members present, that if we bring the numbers, the Sky Bar management will surely reconsider their beer pricing to a further reduction. 

“Bring the numbers, we bring down the prices,” he concluded. Here is my two cents to Sky Bar management, "Retain the bucket price at Kes 1,500, and just make it 6 beers a bucket instead of 5."

Arsenal fans Kenya at Sky Bar during the Bornemouth game

From a personal experience, I want to believe that Sky Bar, could suffice as a good place to enjoy Arsenal games moving forward. We can make it our home venue for match screening this season, and weigh out the experience vis-a-vis the previous match venues we’ve had. If we bring our numbers, and they don’t keep their part of the deal, we will always have options. The management, through Mr. Boaz, promised a win-win situation, if we turn up in convincing numbers. 

More Arsenal fans at the Ibis Styles. Arsenal won 1 nil.

Arsenal Kenya Fans Club Facebook page, indicates there are over 36,000 members. But we all know, overall in the country, the exact number of Arsenal fans spills into hundreds of thousands, if not a million yet. In the spirit of Arsenal fans Kenya, let’s show them what we are made of!

Ms. Gakenia, will communicate to members the next scheduled match screening date. Meanwhile, let’s follow Sky Bar on Facebook at Tusker Lite Skybar and Tusker Lite Sky Bar on Instagram. 

#COYG

Your Girl, Yours truly,
Lisa Biwott M.