If tequila had a personality, it would probably be bold, unapologetic and always ready for a celebration.
That spirit was on full display on Sunday when Don Julio and Mediterraneo brought Kampala's social crowd together for a tequila sundowner that moved effortlessly from a relaxed afternoon into a lively night.
Hosted on the Mediterraneo Restaurant rooftop in Kololo, the second edition of the Tequila Sundowner kicked off at 2:00pm, giving guests several hours to eat, drink, mingle and ease into the final Sunday of September.
And Kampala came dressed for the occasion.
Corsets, satin dresses, pumps, stilettos and carefully styled hair filled the rooftop as guests embraced the glamour of a Sunday afternoon that was clearly never going to remain quiet for long.
At the centre of the experience was Don Julio, with guests enjoying the tequila in different forms, from neat pours and shots to cocktails including the Paloma and Margarita.
For Judie Nandekya, Senior Brand Manager for Tequila and Rum, East Africa, the experience was about creating moments around the brand rather than simply serving drinks.
“As Don Julio, we are committed to giving our consumers the best experiences. We love to see our consumers toast to small and big achievements with friends, which was the thought behind the bottle designs of our tequila ranges; for people to see each other and have fun while having tequila,” Nandekya said.
The music was equally important to the afternoon.
Sinodevassy Band emerged as one of the unexpected highlights, combining saxophone, drums and DJ elements into a semi-live performance that gave the rooftop a different kind of energy.
The entertainment lineup also featured Selector Jay, DJ Anselm and DJ Litto, each adding to the musical journey as the afternoon progressed.
Then came the main act.
When Paris-based DJ Phaphane stepped behind the decks, the atmosphere shifted several gears.
Known for his Amapiano and Afro-dance sounds, the DJ brought together Amapiano, Afro House and Gqom, creating the kind of set that made remaining seated increasingly difficult.
There were familiar choruses to sing along to, recognisable anthems and beats that had the crowd dancing while simultaneously reaching for their phones to capture the moment.
For a few hours, the Mediterraneo rooftop became a meeting point for music, fashion, tequila and Kampala's social crowd.