As the most populous city in Nigeria, Lagos can be an incredibly hectic place. Known for its vibrant nightlife and famous music scene, it can be difficult to find a spot to relax in the hustle and bustle of big city life. That is until you find the oasis that is the Ikoyi Club 1938.
Established in 1938 after a merger between the European Club and Lagos Golf Club, on the site of the old Ikoyi Government Guest House. The Ikoyi Club 1938 was initially an expat club run by European civil servants and leaders of the business community, but the club has since become one of the best examples of multiracial clubs in the world.
The Ikoyi Club 1938 boasts many sections. Whether you want to play a round of golf on the championship course, enjoy a game of tennis or relax next to one of the pools, the facilities are outstanding. It is in one of these sections that the inspiration for a business came from.
Mike and Garry Robinson spent a lot of time at the Ikoyi Club 1938 as kids. With their parents based in West Africa, Mike and Garry would spend their school holidays on the Ikoyi Club’s tennis and squash courts. After their days on the courts in the African sun they would need refreshment. The most thirst-quenching refreshment available was a Chapmans. A drink mixed by the bartenders at the Ikoyi Club and popular with everyone.
After returning to the UK, Mike and Garry continued mixing and drinking Chapmans. Also discovering it is a great mixer for cocktails.
I caught up with Garry Robinson to find out more about their story and product.
When did you first start going to the Ikoyi Club?
My brother, Mike, and I first started going to the Ikoyi Club in the late 1960’s. We were small children then and we had an appetite for sport. There was no better place than the Ikoyi Club with its tennis, squash, golf and swimming facilities.
How much time would you spend at the club?
As much time as possible! When we were at school in Lagos we would try and go as often as possible when school finished, which was generally around 1.00pm due to the heat. When we got older and were at school in England, we would return to Lagos in the school holidays. We would go to the Ikoyi Club in the late morning and stay there for most of the day returning home in the early evening.
How would you spend a typical day there?
The day would start with a game of squash, followed by a refreshing Chapmans. Next we would swim to cool off then enjoy a club sandwich and a Chapmans for late lunch. After letting our lunch go down we would have a game of tennis or sometimes golf or even have another game of squash. After the afternoon exertions we always enjoyed another Chapmans to quench our thirst.
What are your favourite memories from the Ikoyi Club?
The Ikoyi Club to us was a friendly, atmospheric, cosmopolitan place that had tremendous facilities. The staff were ultra friendly and professional and we enjoyed the best club sandwich and Chapmans drink.
How long has it been since you were last there, and would you like to go back?
I was last there in the mid 1980’s and yes it is my absolute dream to go back. We are aiming to bring our Ikoyi Chapmans drink to Lagos in 2021 and I will be there with it!
Do you remember the first time you had a Chapmans at the club, what was it like?
Yes I do remember it. I remember it vividly. I was a young child, under 10 years of age. I remember drinking other well known carbonated soft drinks, but my parents had ordered a Chapmans for themselves. They asked me if I wanted to try it, I did and I swapped my soft drink for my mothers Chapmans. I just couldn’t believe how amazing the taste was.
What is it about an Ikoyi Chapmans that makes it so refreshing?
Ultimately it’s the fizz, bitters, and the combination of citrus fruits….orange, lemon and lime. It just oozes refreshment!
Why did you decide to bring Chapmans to the UK?
When we finished our schooling. My brother and I went on to further education (polytechnic in those days), but we were never conventional students. We wanted to play squash professionally, so we travelled in the UK and abroad playing squash but fitting in our studies along the way. We just knew that after a game of squash the most refreshing and thirst quenching drink to enjoy was a Chapmans. We used to ask staff at the squash clubs to make Chapmans for us. Of course we had to tell them how to make it, finding along the way that the people we were introducing it to loved it as much as us. At that point we decided one day we must try and bottle it, and here we are now.
And finally,
What is your favourite way to have an Ikoyi Chapmans, on its own or in a cocktail?
Both! I have always enjoyed Chapmans on it’s own, and I hope people who try it will as well. We have manufactured Chapmans to be a refreshing carbonated soft drink for today’s market. It is Vegan certified, gluten free, is low in sugar, is just 21 calories per 100ml and has no artificial ingredients or colours.
Equally, we have seen the huge growth of the spirits markets with many gins, vodkas, spiced rums, prosecco and champagnes, Chapmans works as a super mixer with these. My own favourite is a Gin and Chapmans, or G&C as we like to call it, and you cannot beat an Aperol and Chapmans with lots of ice on a hot day. Here in the UK, for the winter months we have created Mulled Chapmans consisting of Chapmans, Red Wine, Port and cinnamon. It is absolutely delicious!
Sources:
https://web.ikoyiclub1938.org
https://www.ikoyichapmans.co.uk
