SPOTLIGHT
ON:
Hemisphere
A chance encounter between Denzil Solomons and Douglas Oberwortmann
seven years ago has now resulted in one of Cape Town’s newest and most
talked about nightclubs. Hemisphere.
And there is much to talk about. Be it the Waterfront, Table Mountain,
the ocean or Cape Town itself. From the near wraparound windows on the
31st floor of the Absa Centre, you can see it all. Turn around and there’s
just as much to talk about: Be it the combination of earthy brown and gold
colouring, the oval bar and inscribed glass counter, or the glass walls
that enclose the VIP section. And don’t forget the handcrafted tiles, cork
covered pillars and fibre optic lighting above the bar. Or the cocktail
menu - only the finest spirits from around the world are used. Then
there’s the valet parking from 9:00pm (for only R10), although that gets
suspended once big crowds congregate outside.
“We wanted a club that would make a difference in town,” says Solomons,
“And we don’t play house music”. Instead you’ll hear the finest 70’s 80’s
and 90’s retro music. From 1:00am onwards, however, the sound changes to
hip hop, R&B and more contemporary music. “The older crowd doesn’t stay
out that late, so when younger people come in, we’ll play what they like
to listen to.” Oberwortmann says. According to Solomons, Hemisphere aims
at the over 25 market, but they won’t turn away somebody younger who
enjoys their music, he says.
Contrary to many other clubs, Hemisphere aims to be upmarket without
being elitist. Anybody can gain access to the VIP room, which is limited
to 60 people, at management's discretion, Solomons says. And for the whole
club, no more than 300 people are allowed in at a time to avoid
overcrowding. Although there is currently no membership available, it is
something they’re working on, he says.
Hemisphere has a strict dress code – no trainers or t-shirts, although
people wearing t-shirts are let in sometimes, Solomons concedes. If
somebody comes wearing a t-shirt we’ll inform him of the dress code and
let him in, but if he comes a second time with a t-shirt, he’ll be refused
access. “It’s an ongoing educational process” He explains.
Hemisphere is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 4:30pm and on Saturdays
from 9:00pm. A cover charge is enforced from 9:00pm – R50 for men, and R30
for women. For more info check out
www.hemisphere.org.za, or call (021) 421 0581
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