Mauritius Nightlife

Hi everyone, I've been back to Mauritius for almost six years and I'm just wondering what do the expats in Mauritius do for nightlife. I know the usual nightclubs, bars & pubs, but I don't think it's for everyone and I'm thinking some variety wouldnt hurt right?

A friend of mine is planning to bring bowling back to Mauritius and as any new entrepreneur, he's a bit worried. Given that Mauritius used to have bowling many years and had to close down due to lack of interests. And may be the fact that with a population of 1.2m, a niche market for bowling would be tiny.

My thought on this was that it's a much different Mauritius now with more exposure to european & american lifestyle. Plus there are more and more expats from europe and SA working in Mauritius. I believe a bowling center would be much welcome to bring some variety to the Mauritian nightlife.

What do you guys think?

Hi,

I think it would work in today's world. there are several instances of businesses that dint work a few years back (for eg nandos) but are now doing quite well as the Mauritian Standard of living has improved with more widespread urbanisation.!!

As an Expat i would say "bringg it on!!!"

P.S: please make sure i's open n Sundays!! :)


Cheers
Musheer!

If it didn't work then it would work now.People my generation (the 25+) would love some nightlife here(not that I have anything against nightclubs,bars etc) but a change would be good.

So if you're thinking if bringing bowling back, not just expats but Mauritians too will come.

Good luck and let us know when it's up and running!!

Thanks guys for the comments, I would definitely like to have something else to do than getting wasted everyweekend.

Went to SA last month to watch couple of WC games, then my friend took me to Gateway Mall. That place is off the hook! I went to the top floor where they have bowling, pool, cinema, video arcade, foodcourts & bars, hot chicks etc... all under one roof. Almost didnt make it back to Mauritius...

Hi!
Why not to consider a combined location for bowling & Inline Roller-Skating?

i'm not sure how many mauritians would be interested to roller skate, I know they used to have ice skating in curepipe that closed down. Of course it's a bit different, but not sure it's a good venture in Mauritius.

Minigolf would be a better combo, don't you think?

Maybe the combination of activities mentioned above should also have a cinema that shows films in their original language and not dubbing everything into French. Missing the life of going to the movies as we are unable to find a cinema that shows movies in english... thumbs up for bowling and roller skating...and ice skating.. and movie going..:).. i sure hope that this massive Mall of Maurtius will have some good activities in it..

Yes, watching English movies in Cinemas here would be great. My daughter is a huge fan of Twilight, but watched the movie in French. LOL!!!

There are so many english speaking people here that love going to the movies but cant go because they dont understand french and the cinemas dont even have subtitles...  Surely there must be a business case of atleast 2 shows a week in english

I sure miss the movies in original version, that's why I don't go even though I understand french. It's too cheesy when it's dubbed. Apparently the new "mega" malls will have multiplex movie theatres, so hopefully will cater to the english speakers... I assume they will open a bowling there...

The most annoying part of cinema here. They're always in French! I think that new one at Bagatelle is going to have cinemas showing movies in the original languages, I wouldn't mind some Jap, Korean, Chinese or even Eastern European movies!! They're great to watch.

I think someone did post something on bowling in some other topic discussion.

I'm not sure about Asian movies on big screen, well except for Indian movies because of the huge audience for it. They might not get a return on their buck, if we're talking about regular movies that is...

But US blockbusters or even independent movies would be very much welcome. I think they even mentioned 3D movies, I hope they also bring Imax to Mauritius. I miss the Prince of Persia on IMAX when I was in SA last month... what a shame.

Mauritius needs a good theater playing English movies. There are well over 50,000 expats living in Mauritius and a English theater would do well. Regarding the bowling alley idea, it won't work. They had one in Port Louis and it closed down. The cost to acquire the land, construction and build-out would cost well into the 150 million RS. It would take well over 20 years to recover the initial investment.

well that was their mistake, to actually buy the building and then the set up costs, but it didnt cost rs150m though. I would go for rental instead. My friend told me that the reason it didnt work was mostly because of bad management and abuse from staff (quelle surprise!). The bartender would sell beers amd drinks at the bar prices and then go to Spar and replace the inventory and pocketing the profits. Or they would give free games to their friends, gfs, misstresses and families and you have absolutely no control.

In Mauritius if you want something to be done right, you have to do it yourself. Can't reply on your staff to run the business like their jobs depend on it or something. They are serial business killers, they just move on to the next victim. So for the bowling to work, you have to surpervise it yourself and put cameras everywhere.

Yep you are right.

But then again you can't always be around to watch.You need to use segregation of tasks and a tight inventory control.

Well if I want my business to prosper, I'll live there if I need to. I'll build an apartment right above the alleys and just make sure to sound proof the place...

Nah, you need to delegate if you want to prosper, just find the right people to do it!

Wishful thinking... it works in China or the US but not here. One of my friends opened Chiken Licken couple of years ago, closed down because of staff abuse on the inventory. Look at MDFP, that's the classic perfect exmaple of what many other abuses are STILL going on in many other places.

The one in Rose Hill? MDFP?

You can manage it by being present, but living there, that's a bit scary of you ask me!

I was kidding lah... Of course not gonna live there, I'd rather not do the business if it's that bad.

Mauritius Duty Free Paradis...

Ok. I heard that Domaine Anna is under receivership?

Really? That's new to me... thought it was working well. Very pricy but I like the decor...

Me too.So that came as a bit of a surprise!

Plus they organise all the events, fashion shows, new year parties etc... I think DJ Assad is performing there right?

Domain Anna is not under receivership, they are friends of mine. The business is working very well.

yeah that's what I thought, last time I was there they had a wedding and all the tables were taken. Plus I think they own the place and are not paying any rental...

Domain Anna was built 15 years ago by two partners. They own the property. Waterpark-failed, Grand Baie ATV rental - failed, thrill boat tour - failed. Don't count on tourists to generate income for your business. Locals,locals,locals.

one of the partners owns Green Dragon right? I thought the waterpark was govt initiative...

Belongs to Ang, know the family very well too, but that's not the kind of thing that they'll discuss openly...

I might have to ask Andy about that.

I think you're referring to this article on Defi Plus:
"Appelé en Cour suprême début septembre - CIM Finance demande la mise en liquidation du Domaine Anna"

http://www.defimedia.info/articles/9952 … Page1.html

The new mall that is opening up in Grand Baie will have state-of-the-art movie theaters and will be in English.

When is the new mall opening? and what is the name?

It's called La Croisette, probably ready by next year or something. The new malls near Reduit also will have multiplex movie theatres with multi-lingual movie sessions. It's definitely a long overdue alternative for us movie lovers!!

how about being creative...
...like innovative ideas in mauritius...i have a couple in mind..please contact me,
islander.

I think you're referring to this article on Defi Plus:
"Appelé en Cour suprême début septembre - CIM Finance demande la mise en liquidation du Domaine Anna"

http://www.defimedia.info/articles/9952 … Page1.html

I haven't read the article, but I was told by someone who works in an insurance company!

@richdaddy - did you ever get anywhere with your bowling concept??

No news about this Bowling thing??

Did anyone think about paintball or laser tag or maybe a perfect sports bar?

i am loooking for investor to open bowling and entertainment in mauritius, serious experience bussiness to reply.

I just read an article recommending Mauritius as an interesting place to move to.  I'd be working online.  Aside from not knowing, yet, what kind of visa I'd need to do that..I'm wondering how the Latin dancing scene is there. 

Is there any Salsa dancing (especially Cuban style and Casino Rueda), Bachata or Kizomba going on there?

Regards,
Art

p.s. Also...I'm in Manila now and the internet speed absolutely sucks BIG-time.  It's hard to even watch YouTube videos.  How's the speed there?