In the heart of Nairobi’s social scene, the once “neighbourhood friendly” hotspot, Bar Next Door (BND), finds itself under a storm of allegations.
For months, the uproar has echoed within the walls of this contemporary uptown establishment, as patrons and social media personalities have come forward with claims of counterfeit alcoholic beverages being served.
Despite these damning accusations, BND’s management, headed by Antony “Tony” Owich, has maintained a resounding silence, leaving the cloud of doubt to linger over their reputation.
The tempest of allegations began as a whisper but grew into a roaring conversation.
It all came to a head in July 2022, when a disgruntled customer’s tweet set off a chain reaction of revelations.
Known by the Twitter handle “Bruce” or “Ngwata,” this influential online personality accused BND of peddling substandard drinks with fake stickers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
“BND sells counterfeit liquor.
Could tell from the first sip. Then verified the KRA and KEBS stickers. All fake.
Been doing only beers there. Then the one time we switch the first sip was bland for everyone,” he lamented in a series of tweets.
His tweet went viral, attracting thousands of likes and retweets, as well as hundreds of comments from other users who shared their own experiences of drinking at BND.
These revelations ignited a chorus of discontent.
Many voices joined in, each echoing tales of sickness, disappointment, and disbelief. [@CiiruB], a lady who had fallen ill for days after drinking at BND, noted, “I have said this a million times.”
Another questioned the authenticity of alcoholic beverages in Nairobi’s clubs, lamenting, “Is there a club in Nairobi that sells genuine alcohol?”
Uptown Joint “The Bar Next Door” Hit by Counterfeit Liquor Allegations
As the uproar escalated, all eyes turned to BND’s management for an explanation.
In the midst of this growing crisis, their response was nothing short of tone-deaf.
When pressed to address the allegations head-on, the social media admin opted for a poorly calculated and insensitive retort.
“Ni kama ulikunywa ile ya kubook meza,” they quipped, belittling the gravity of the situation.
This flippant response only fueled the public’s outrage, drawing widespread condemnation.
Despite the controversy, BND’s ambitions remained unchecked.
The establishment has expanded its reach, opening a larger branch along Kiambu Road, Nairobi.
With pressure mounting and its reputation on the line, BND finally broke its silence on August 17, 2023.
This followed a fresh wave of complaints concerning the sensitive issue.
However, the statement issued by Bar Next Door was a masterclass in vagueness.
Rather than directly addressing the allegations, the management focused on the quality control measures in place and their commitment to adhering to industry standards.
The words, carefully crafted, yet ultimately sidestepping the elephant in the room – the sale of counterfeit drinks.
At Bar Next Door the safety of our next door community is our number one priority.
We appreciate the feedback we have had over the last few years serving you and we will continue to do our best to ensure the high standards we have had are maintained. pic.twitter.com/TyTDxNItDm
— The Bar Next Door Ke (@BarNextDoorKe) August 17, 2023
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwFSRM-IA0z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
As the dust settles following BND’s evasive attempt at addressing the maelstrom of allegations, a singular question hangs in the air: Can trust ever be fully restored?
The controversy surrounding the authenticity of the beverages served at this once-beloved establishment continues to cast a shadow over its reputation.
The patrons, once the lifeblood of BND’s success, now stand as the jury, deliberating whether trust can be restored and whether the echoes of counterfeit allegations will ever fade away.
Amidst this haze of uncertainty, Tony Owich’s claims of community and client care ring hollow, overshadowed by the glaring contrast between rhetoric and reality.
