Entertainment

By Lilian Mbugua

There was a time when enjoying a great cocktail felt reserved for upscale bars, luxury lounges, or occasions important enough to justify calling in a mixologist. Today, however, cocktails have moved far beyond the bar counter. They have found a new home in our living rooms, balconies, rooftops, game nights, and brunches.

Kenya’s cocktail culture is evolving and fast.

What was once considered niche has now become part of everyday social experiences, especially among young consumers seeking more personalized, experiential, and premium ways to connect. Cocktails are increasingly becoming social currency and expressions of lifestyle.

Scroll through social media, and you will notice it immediately: aesthetically poured drinks, curated hosting moments, playlist culture, and groups of friends recreating elevated experiences from the comfort of their homes.

And perhaps that is what makes this moment so exciting. Cocktail culture in Kenya is no longer confined to nightlife alone; it is becoming more democratized.

Consumers today want premium experiences, but they also want convenience. They want drinks that fit naturally into their lifestyles without feeling complicated or intimidating. This shift is redefining not just what people drink, but how they drink.

At the centre of this evolution is a growing appreciation for effortless cocktail experiences.

Ready-to-drink cocktails, for instance, are increasingly resonating with consumers because they remove the barriers that once came with cocktail enjoyment. You no longer need a fully stocked bar cart, advanced mixology skills, or a bartender on standby to enjoy a quality cocktail experience.

That is where innovations like Gilbey’s Berry Bramble are finding their moment.

Gilbey’s Berry Bramble represents a new generation of cocktail experiences designed for today’s consumer vibrant, flavourful, convenient, and social. Whether it is a spontaneous catch-up with friends, a chilled evening indoors, or a hosted dinner at home, consumers are embracing products that allow them to elevate everyday moments with ease.

The beauty of pre-mixed cocktails lies in their simplicity. Open, pour, serve, and enjoy.

No complicated recipes. No pressure to “get it right”. Just consistent, refreshing flavour that fits effortlessly into modern social occasions.

More importantly, this shift speaks to a broader cultural movement: the rise of at-home socializing.

Consumers are increasingly investing in creating memorable experiences within their own spaces. The living room has become the new lounge. House parties are becoming more curated. Hosting culture is becoming more expressive. Music, food, décor, and drinks are all part of crafting intentional moments with friends and loved ones.

Cocktails naturally fit into this evolution because they bring a sense of occasion to ordinary moments.

At the same time, consumers are also becoming more adventurous. They are exploring flavors, experimenting with serves, and discovering that cocktail culture does not have to feel exclusive.

For those who enjoy adding a personal touch to their drinks, Gilbey’s Special Dry Gin continues to offer a versatile foundation for simple yet timeless cocktail experiences such as the classic Gin & Tonic. It is proof that creating enjoyable cocktail moments at home does not need to feel overly technical or expensive.

In many ways, the Gin & Tonic perfectly reflects where modern cocktail culture is headed: simple, refreshing, customizable, and social.

Consumers today appreciate experiences that feel authentic and easy to replicate within their everyday lives. Whether it is adding fresh citrus, berries, herbs, or experimenting with garnish combinations, people are finding joy in making cocktails their own.

Social media has also accelerated this culture significantly. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have transformed cocktail-making into shareable entertainment content. Consumers are no longer just drinking cocktails; they are engaging with the culture around them, from discovering new serves to hosting aesthetically driven social moments.

But beyond trends and aesthetics, what we are witnessing is a deeper shift in consumer mindset.

People are prioritizing connection and shared experiences.

After increasingly busy schedules and digitally dominated lives, social moments have become more intentional. Consumers want products and experiences that help facilitate those moments effortlessly. Convenience, therefore, is no longer viewed as compromising quality. If anything, convenience has become part of the premium experience itself.

That is why the future of cocktail culture in Kenya looks incredibly exciting.

We are seeing a generation of consumers who are curious, expressive, and open to discovering new ways to socialize. They are seeking brands that understand their lifestyles and evolve alongside them. They are embracing experiences that feel accessible yet elevated.

Cocktails are no longer reserved for special occasions alone. They are becoming part of everyday rituals the Friday unwind after work, the Sunday brunch soundtrack, the spontaneous link-up with friends, or the quiet solo reset after a long week.

And perhaps that is the magic of modern cocktail culture: its ability to transform ordinary moments into memorable ones.

As this culture continues to evolve, Gilbey’s remains committed to creating experiences that feel contemporary, enjoyable, and accessible for today’s consumer whether through convenient ready-to-drink innovations like Gilbey’s Berry Bramble or timeless classics crafted with Gilbey’s Special Dry Gin.

Consumers can explore Gilbey’s cocktail experiences by purchasing Gilbey’s Berry Bramble and Gilbey’s Special Dry Gin from Ke.thebar.com or stores near them and create their own magic at home. We are currently running offers on the Gilbey’s Special Dry Gin going for Ksh.999 for the 750ml.

Alcohol consumption is not for persons under the age of 18. Please drink responsibly.

The writer is the Brand Manager for Gilbeys Kenya.

Students at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival translating policy themes into a playbook for everyday commerce, showing households and small firms how cashless payments, clean records and disciplined borrowing cut costs and unlock growth.

Building on the festival theme Bold Storytellers, Digital Stages: Driving Kenya’s Development Through Theatre and Film, and Equity Bank’s sub theme Leveraging Technology to Make Banking a Lifestyle – From a Place You Go to Something You Do, performances showed audiences how to adopt digital tools that build credit trails and widen market access.

The scenes are familiar and relatable. A kiosk owner drops loose cash for QR and e wallet acceptance, builds an auditable trail and secures stock financing. Parents shift school fees to digital rails for speed and verifiable receipts. Youth agripreneurs pool savings on apps to fund inputs and insure harvests, while women led collectives lean on instant payment to reach customers across counties and into regional markets. Alongside the opportunity, students confront risk head on, from basic cyber hygiene to responsible digital borrowing, tying clean data to affordable credit.

Kayole South Senior School trainer Morgan Odera was among those testing the boundaries of financial storytelling. He said their spoken word piece linked national identity to present day financial inclusion by blending Kenya’s independence story with the role of education finance in creating awareness.  

“We have just performed a spoken word talking about how Kenya gained independence and how the bank chips in to benefit students, mostly through its education programs and by supporting businesspeople and Kenya’s development in general,” he said.

Performed by student Sheila Akinyi, the work drew mixed reactions for its ambition. “It is hard to combine a spoken word about independence with current affairs,” Mr Odera noted. “The artist was creative enough to blend the independence struggles and the bank’s support to students through Wings to Fly, which supports them at higher education level.” The piece underscored a simple economic arc: access to education and skills pulls more young Kenyans into a modern, increasingly digital economy, the same transformation students advocate through safer, smarter money habits.

At Precious Blood Riruta, lead choreographer Amos Othengo Pinto threaded a small trader narrative into dance and gave it commercial stakes. A mama mboga closes her day by banking takings to build a savings record and grow her enterprise. “After a day with her customers, she can save in the bank to boost the business,” he said, explaining how the team blended African and hip-hop styles to tell a modern finance story on a digital stage.

Performed by the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication under the Equity theme, the play Giza Gizani also confronted abuse of power, silence, absent parenting and injustice. Dickens Sumba, the playwright and thespian, said the work was crafted to provoke reflection and affirm the possibility of accountability.

“We built Giza Gizani to strip impunity of its glamour, to show what silence costs in homes and institutions, and to light a path toward courage, dignity and justice.”

For Nairobi Regional Director of Education Reuben Kipturgor, the business and financial awareness approach is deliberate. It stems from handing authorship to learners and demanding utility from the art. “Can we make these activities learner based? Can we go back and allow our learners to generate their own script, and then we just help them to fine tune to the levels that we can reach? That is the only way we can develop their talents,” he said, before urging partners to back student creators in tangible ways.

Equity Bank’s has committed Sh25 million nationally to support the festival, with the bank’s themed genres highlighting how technology is making financial services part of daily life and expanding inclusion for individuals, schools and enterprises.

At the national finals, champions in the Equity classes will receive Ksh100,000 with silverware, runners-up will take Ksh50,000, and third place will get Ksh30,000. All winners will also be awarded wit trophies and certificates. The best trainer will receive Ksh30,000, second Ksh20,000 and third Ksh10,000.

The national finals will be held in April in Nyeri, followed by gala showcases hosted by Education CS Julius Ogamba and Equity Group CEO and MD Dr James Mwangi. The top students will then cap the season with a performance at State Lodge, Nyeri, in a gala to be attended by President William Ruto.

Kick off the month with good vibes and great gin courtesy of Gilbey’s this Friday, 3rd April at Burudani Address, Juja

Hosted by popular radio duo Mwalimu Rachel and DJ Xclusive, joined by DJ Chunky, the Gilbey’s Hangout experience promises the best of beats and moments perfect for you and your crew.

The Gilbey’s Real Moments campaign celebrates authentic connections and invites consumers to share their unfiltered moments with their “day ones”.

Date: Friday, 3rd April 2026

Venue: Burudani Address, Juja City Mall

Time: 5:00p.m till late

Hosts & Entertainment: Mwalimu Rachel, DJ Xclusive and DJ Chunky

Dress Code: A touch of Red

Entry: A 750ml bottle of Gilbey’s purchased upon entry

Please drink responsibly. Alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age of 18.

 The nationwide tour of Kenya’s ultimate beer and culture festival, Tusker Oktobafest, culminated in a show-stopping final celebration this past Saturday, October 8th, as thousands of revellers converged at the Attela Beach Resort in Kisumu for an unforgettable night of music, beer and culture. The Lake Edition successfully wrapped up the festival’s regional stops following successful events in Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, and Nanyuki.

The Attela Beach Resort was transformed into a scenic celebration of beer and culture featuring an all-star entertainment lineup and live music performances by hitmakers Bensoul and Fathermoh and Harry Craze. The electrifying atmosphere was sustained by an impressive ensemble of top DJs: Gordo, Ves, Daffy, and Dimore, who kept the party at peak energy. The night was seamlessly hosted by crowd favorite MC Gogo and Kisumu’s own Hype Amollo, ensuring the grand finale was nothing short of legendary.

MC Gogo seized the stage early, igniting the crowd with a powerful opening performance that set the tone for the entire night. Harry Craze then commanded the stage, leading the crowd in an energetic dance frenzy before an exciting surprise, he brought Fathermoh out to perform their chart-topping collaborations. The unforgettable night concluded on a high note with a captivating and soulful final set by Bensoul.

The vibrant fusion of great beer, homegrown music, and an enthusiastic crowd reaffirmed Tusker Oktobafest’s position as East Africa’s premier beer and culture festival.

Commenting on the spectacular success of the final leg, Brigid Wambua, Senior Brand Manager for Tusker, said, “We set out to reach as many consumers as possible with the Oktobafest experience this year and we have successfully done that. Oktobafest exists to provide a platform for the celebration of Kenyan beer and culture every year. We have enjoyed the enthusiasm and support of our consumers and partners across the regions and Kisumu has delivered a truly exceptional finale to our nationwide festival.”

Launched in September, the sixth annual edition of the celebrated beer festival promised an expanded, nationwide celebration of Kenyan beer and culture, featuring authentic local experiences. The nationwide festival featured a series of regional events including:

• Nairobi Edition: October 4th at Carnivore Grounds
• Rift Edition: October 11th at Baniyas, Eldoret
• Coast Edition: November 01st at Big Tree, Mombasa
• Mountain Edition: November 01st at The Stinger Lounge-Kinyuki, Nanyuki

In addition to the main festivals, Tusker Oktobafest was supported by over 200 on-trade activations nationwide. Beer enthusiasts across the country enjoyed flash sales and exciting discounts on their favorite KBL beers, including lagers, stouts, ciders, and malts on ke.thebar.com and select e-commerce partner platforms.

Tusker extends its deepest gratitude to all consumers, talent, and partners who made the nationwide Tusker Oktobafest tour and its Kisumu Grand Finale an overwhelming success, reaffirming its dedication to celebrating Kenyan music, beer and culture across every region of the country.