The Brewers Market is Officially Open

There’s something immensely exciting about walking into a space you’ve sauntered into a thousand times before to find it utterly transformed.

The stage somewhere else, some of the upstairs seating no less than a row of swings and a handsome stranger asking what used to be blindingly obvious:

‘Where’s the bar?’

At The Brewers Market’s official opening, the venue’s various bars are obscured by a tangle of jostling, gyrating bodies. Windhoek’s music lovers, its cultured and curious have descended on the former Warehouse Theatre en masse to parley in-between hookah puffs, to sip mojitos or to feast on burgers, sushi, chicken wings and churros.

Everything is familiar but entirely different. A tower of steep wooden stairs embellished with promising words such as food, art, music, fashion, dance, culture, comedy, poetry and good vibes connect the courtyard to The Deck where acts like Vaughn Ahrens, Sean K, Savannah Afros and Roadhouse Blues sing beneath the shaded sun.

Halted for a moment by the crowd milling up and down the stairs, one can appreciate the spectrum of the courtyard’s art as its walls come alive with bright, larger than life murals by Chama Chakanga, Hage Mukwendje and Nambowa Malua.

At The Brewers Market, it seems art is integral and in a chamber to the right of The Brew Room’s distressed walls, large booths, bar and corner stage is Market Lane.

Inside art and eats vie for one’s attention.

A dedicated gallery wall boasts paintings by Malua and portraits by Jakobina Gideon. The Den (Designer Emporium Namibia) debuts with a collection by Leah Misika and Melisa Poulton. Afroprint Line sells vibrant backpacks, Leon Engelbrecht elevates leatherwork and jewellery by Christina Clay winks at the weekly Saturday market.

The eats, which include Yetti and the Fox’s smoothies, coffee, fresh juices, cakes and salmon or roast beef sandwiches, are eclectic. Dim sum from Josi’s, crispy Batter Bar churros, Daisho sushi and traditional food, burgers and wings from Chakula.

The following Monday afternoon, the food vendors have been open since 11h00 and the after work crowd begins to trickle in seeking something quick and offbeat to take the drama out of dinner.

The Brewers Market’s opening is unprecedented, standing room only, full beyond belief and as diverse a crowd as the city gets. To hear the owner of Windhoek’s ambitious new cultural hub tell it, diversity is all part of the plan.

“The opening was absolutely amazing,” say owner Che Rousseau and PR and marketing manager Megan Pritchard sitting down for a moment at The Brew Room.

“It was such a diverse crowd, which was exactly what we hoped for and targeted. We had our creatives, our locals and our tourists all mixed together, which is exactly why we chose the different musicians, food stalls and vendors.”

After witnessing just how much people love live music, Rousseau – who imagines The Brewers Market as a community building and multifaceted cultural space – is intent on continuing the site’s musical heritage alongside events manager Tapz Munya.

Home of Free Your Mind Comedy and Song Night, and open seven days a week from 11h00 until late, The Brewers Market’s schedule is a jam-packed list of diversion.

Monday is games, quizzes and comedy hosted by Courage the Comedian. Tuesday is karaoke followed by an up and coming local act on Wednesday. Thursdays are DJ nights. Fridays and Saturdays will feature a bigger live act as well as a family friendly Saturday market and Sunday chill sessions are set to light up The Deck.

“We want to keep the live acts as diverse as possible and we are very open to input and ideas,” says Munya, who encourages performing artists to shake off any intimidation they may feel about performing at the venue.

“I’m really appealing to each and every artist to consider this place as an open door to so many possibilities. I want people to use this space to market themselves, to explore new talent and to be seen by a new audience. I am really trying to help artists to gain as much exposure as they can on a paid platform.”

This spirit of development is echoed by Rousseau, who urges visual artists, performers, entrepreneurs and various vendors to get in touch with The Brewers Market to make use of the venue as a stage, exhibition space or to sell their wares at the weekly market.

“We don’t want people to come to our market and think: Ah, we saw that last week. There are some fixed stalls but we want to add different entrepreneurs every week,” says Rousseau.

“I think any and every Windhoek entrepreneur should apply. Let’s expose people to different things. From crafts to food, beauty supplies and T-shirts to modifying sneakers to anything. Literally, if you’re doing something or think you can do something and there’s a market for it, try it out here.”

The Brewers Market, which is open all day for delicious food and drinks, will also be empowering visual artists who can’t buy supplies. “So even if you think you are talented but you don’t have enough capital to start off, you can contact us,” says Rousseau earnestly.

It’s good to hear. Local art has taken its knocks, and while The Brewers Market certainly needs to iron out a few teething problems, the opening promises more than Windhoek has ever imagined.

“Every crowd should feel comfortable here. If you’re thinking that you’re older, 50 or whatever, come through,” says Rousseau to the visitors. And to the city’s creatives:

“Bring your talent and we’ll make it happen.”

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