The Middle East
The work was about to pay off when an Aussie friend suggested he go check out the Abu Dhabi scene, as it was growing at the time. He loved it and after a stint at some top clubs, decided to see what Bahrain had to offer. The island’s reputation as a party capital was well-known, but he knew little else about it. It took him just four days to fall in love.

“The great thing about Bahrain is that you can work hard, make money, but also have time for yourself. Dubai is no longer like that, or Abu Dhabi. There is still a sense of balance .”

His dream of owning his own place was still burning strong. “It was very successful, a smallish venue, very popular and full of life. I loved it.” Buoyed by his success, Z-Club was next, but he learnt a valuable lesson, that a much bigger space needs a different approach.

Tabu is born
The next step was an ambitious one – and the Phoenicia Tower provided the location.
“I wanted to do something very different, something sophisticated to mark the growing sophistication in the Bahrain market, as well as my own changing tastes. I had this idea of a very slick, stylish all-white club. It took a few minutes to put the idea together but, of course, seven months to see it come to life.”

Today Tabu is certainly different. To the outsider it could be New York, Sao Paolo or Barcelona. It’s the fruition of Fernando’s dreams, as perfect a reflection of who he is now as it’s possible to be. Watch this space...