Last week, my colleagues and I visited Jabu Bar and Lounge at Somerset Westview Nairobi for a taste of their menu and to experience their new rooftop bar, restaurant and lounge. Somerset Westview is a serviced residences complex in Kilimani that has been serving in-house guests since it was established in 2022, but is now opening a rooftop spot where even non-resident guests are welcome. Hence, the opening of Jabu on the eleventh floor of the property.
We spoke with Ashwin Vijayasekar, the Somerset Westview General Manager who gave us a general outlook of the lounge and the property as a whole. Ashwin shares that the opening of Jabu was informed by customer requests for a space where people can sit, talk and relax. There is an existing restaurant downstairs, Lamascotte Brasserie, that mostly serves in-house guests and has a more closed-door feel but there was need for a rooftop lounge as an addition for an even wider offering.
That’s how Jabu Bar and Lounge came to be. It is now open to the public, with a separate outdoor elevator that takes walk-in guests straight to the rooftop, avoiding disruption to residents. Ashwin pointed out that the Nairobi Somerset is the first among the company’s 1,000 properties worldwide to try this setup.
The name Jabu comes from the Swahili word ajabu, and in South Africa, it means “to be happy.” With a chill conversational setup and polite décor and soundproofing, the place matches the vibe since management has steered clear of loud music and DJ services, so that it remains calm and relaxing but still entertaining.
The layout catches the eye immediately with a stunning open plan island as the centerpiece, with the bar being in full view of the guests. We were able to connect with the bartenders and banter with them as they made our cocktails and that gave the whole experience a beautiful human touch.
The menu is broad, intentionally so. According to Ashwin, it is a combination of many dishes but with a unique Jabu twist. That means all customers will find something familiar to enjoy, but still experience slight shifts in flavour or presentation. In my books, this makes the dining experience at Jabu all the more wholesome.
Setting up Jabu Bar and Lounge was not without challenges. For instance, constructing on the top floor of a running property meant a lot of coordination. There was a lot of movement especially for heavy materials and the team still had to keep things running smoothly for the residents already living or staying there. Then there was the balance of keeping Jabu public while preserving the comfort of residents though this was solved by the separate elevator mentioned above.
Looking ahead, Somerset Westview is part of a larger plan. There is already a significant presence in East and West Africa, and Ashwin says that we’ll be seeing more spaces opening across the continent in a few years to come. The busy Westlands Nairobi area is also in the cards in the future.
We had a really good time at Jabu Bar and Lounge with great food and refreshing cocktails, and mocktails with the backdrop of Kilimani views. The place does not try to shout or be loud and flashy. Rather a comfortable chill vibe that works for everyone who wants a relaxing time. If you want a rooftop space to meet, talk, and eat without noise or rush, Jabu Bar and Lounge is worth your time.
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