Nightlife or no-man’s land? Growing concerns over underage drinking
Despite strict legislation and safety policies, sources and eyewitnesses warn that minors still easily gain access to clubs and bars.
Windhoek’s nightlife is a draw for many young people, but according to several sources, there is a growing risk of underage drinking. Businesses, insiders and eyewitnesses paint a picture of how young people can sometimes gain easy access to alcohol and nightclubs, despite existing regulations.A nightclub and several restaurants and bars say they take the safety of their patrons and their legal obligations extremely seriously. They describe procedures such as strict age verification, security checks, management oversight and staff training to deal with suspicious situations.
“Staff are trained to request valid identification where necessary, and service is invariably refused if age cannot be confirmed,” said a representative of a Windhoek nightclub. In cases where someone appears vulnerable, safe transport is arranged, and appropriate support services or authorities are involved if necessary.
Another restaurant stressed that it has had no formal complaints lodged against its premises and maintains a “zero-tolerance” approach to identity fraud. Management called on parents and young people to act responsibly and to report any concerns immediately.
A promotor's perspective
However, a young promotor working in Windhoek says underage drinking has become increasingly common, with young people often finding it easy to access clubs and alcohol.
He claims false identification documents are frequently used and that some establishments deliberately turn a blind eye, as profit can outweigh enforcement. According to him, the pressure to drink, and even to use drugs, has become “normalised” among young people.
“Many young girls, sometimes as young as 14 or 15, are present in nightclubs and bars,” he said. “Older men at these venues are often aware of their age and then offer drinks or transport. Young people don’t always understand the danger of such situations, and it can be very risky.”
He added that social media plays a major role in normalising this behaviour, while the human impact is often overlooked. The consequences for young people, particularly girls, can be traumatic.
Eyewitnesses: The human reality
One young person, who has been visiting clubs since their mid-teens, says access has become “extremely easy”.
“Nobody asks for identification anymore. It has made it easy to buy alcohol and get drunk from a young age,” the eyewitness said, adding that stricter controls could encourage better decision-making.
Another eyewitness recounted a disturbing experience at a family birthday party. They said that after a younger family member felt uncomfortable with alcohol, they tasted one of the drinks and suddenly became ill.
“It clearly felt to me that someone may have tried to tamper with the drink. I dread to think what could have happened if I hadn’t been there,” the person said.
The accounts raise renewed questions about enforcement, accountability and the shared responsibility of businesses, families and authorities to protect young people in Windhoek’s nightlife spaces.