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A Brief History of the Al-Ain
"Kitchen Parties"
Goats original kitchen, 1996
The so called "kitchen parties" date back to late 1993, when a small band of underage drinkers began crashing the Al-Ain house party scene. These parties were the usual boring affair consisting of all the "mature - cool" guys standing around on someone's roof and listening to tiny sounding rap or pop music oh yeah, and drinking cokes and fantas. The highlight would be if pizza arrived or if some of the basket ball dudes hit the dance floor. Invariably the party would end at midnight when the host's parents came back from a day trip to Dubai. I distinctly remember sitting at such parties listening to my walkman.
It all started to change when one day the friends decided to bring alcohol into the proceedings. These early attempts were largely uncoordinated, they would bring whatever they could get hold of, usually vile concoctions mixed into empty Masafi bottles. The friends were quickly branded as trouble makers and anyone throwing a house party feared their arrival (what would their mummies and daddies say!). Tensions were high as partygoers tried to kick out the young drunks, "fights" were a constant possibility. It was thus decided that more comfortable drinking locations needed to be found, so that their boozing could continue prior to crashing parties. These original watering holes were the Tawam hospital compound and a derelict house (known as "the haunted house") on the Abu-Dhabi road. However, it was soon realised that these clandestine meetings were much more fun than the house parties that were always on the other side of town. So by early 1994 the friends moved HQ to the house of one of the members, Goat, and so it was that true Al-Ain "kitchen parties" were born.
The founding members, aka the 'Kitchen Crew':
Gauthier 'Goat' Lambert, Antti 'Andy' Innamaa, David 'Bluff' Bluff, Conrad Gillett, Mikko, and myself
During the early years at Goat's original kitchen it became a long serving tradition of the kitchen crew to invite new guests of honor to the table, often with drastic consequences. Such guests included Tasman Papworth, Franck Lestringant,.....and many other legendary boozers. In more recent times kitchen parties have been accepted as a way of life in the parched desert wastes of Al-Ain and many generations now look forward to these Wednesday and Thursday rituals.
Long live Al-Ain the party capital of the known universe, and may kitchen parties continue long into the new millenium!!!
Other drinking establishments frequented by the Kitchen Crew:
The Horse and Jockey, Samantha's, Lambaba's (all in the Al-Ain Intercontinental Hotel), the Hash, Al-Ain Rugby club, Tawam poolside parties, Paco's (Al-Ain Hilton), and any adult party we could crash!!
Unfortunately photos from the very early years, including most of the memorable parties, have been very scarce. I guess we were too busy getting hammered, so if you have any pics please send them over.
Coming soon: Legendary piss-up stories......
The image in the background is that of shriveled up brain cells, much like the ones dehydrating inside your skull after a kitchen party.
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