To spruce up its already high standards, Cigar Lounge is on a transformational path, including adopting a new management style. With the entertainment space increasingly gaining momentum after a two-year slumber due to COVID-19, Cigar Lounge management wants to upgrade the nightclub to offer patrons the best of entertainment.

The upscale lounge located on the rooftop of Mowana Park Mall in Phakalane, has for a long time been one of the leading nightlife spots in Gaborone. Now partygoers can expect elevated fun and entertainment every time they visit the lounge.

According to the lounge’s Head of Marketing and Events, DJ Teaz they are currently upgrading and doubling efforts to increase their reach with the introduction of its new management style.

When briefing members of the media recently at Thuntsha Restaurant in Phakalane, DJ Teaz said as an international club, which welcomes international patrons all the time, it is critical to always look for opportunities to improve to get more patronage.

DJ Teaz said emerging from a tough COVID-19 era, the lounge has shown steady recovery but said it was necessary to spruce up and increase its reach.

This, he said, includes bringing in household artists across the SADC region and Africa and engaging a couple of social media influencers to drive their outreach campaign.

“Cigar Lounge gets guests from as far as Kenya and has hosted guests across all SADC countries so that being said, people should expect more artists from our African countries at large, not only South Africa. Cigar Lounge is under a new management style. Not that we have been doing anything bad, but we are doubling up our efforts in terms of upgrading and reach,” he said.

Furthermore, DJ Teaz said they will be introducing loyalty cards to their loyal customers as well as members of the press. Members of the press will have access to the VIP section as well as organised interviews with artists.

A loyalty programme is a marketing strategy designed to encourage customers to continue to shop at the venue. It is an excellent way to reward repeat customers as well as encourage them to return as repeat customers.

“These cards will allow customers who always have our back to have free access to all areas of the club. It is meant as a reward system for their loyalty,” he added.

Moreover, he stated that they have introduced a system to appreciate their top spenders.

“Our waiters will always be on the lookout for those customers who spend a certain amount for a specified period then we will offer them complimentaries. We have brands that we have partnered with, which would help us to give those top spenders

complimentaries without any problems. But we would ensure that the complimentary is a drink of their choice,” he explained.

DJ Teaz stated that they would also be launching a new premium section in January. He said the introduction of the new space will increase the lounge capacity to 1,500.

The lounge currently has a capacity of 800. He said the new section will accord patrons unforgettable and comfortable experiences every time they visit the nightclub. This is meant to avoid crowding of patrons during a night out. He stated that they will also introduce the bottle policy as well as beef up security to ensure the safety of their patrons.

Despite many entertainment outlets being hard hit by COVID-19 and choosing to lay off staff, DJ Teaz said they decided to retain their staff complement.

Meanwhile, DJ Teaz said their December schedule is already fully packed with highprofile artists booked to appear at the nightclub. He said this is part of their plan to give their patrons a bumper festive season full of fun and entertainment.