Community Spotlight: SippAfrica Is A Community For People Looking For Something Different.
“The biggest difference is the intention. We are not replicating the same club scene or nightlife vibe. Every event is thoughtfully curated. I am always thinking outside the box, “What haven’t people experienced in a while? What feelings can we bring back?” We’re building events around emotion and memory.” — Pearl Chuks.
SippAfrica is rooted in the desire to connect people to something they miss: home, play, freedom, music, culture, and a little magic. Finding spaces that feel like home where you can laugh, dance, and rediscover yourself is rare. But that’s exactly what SippAfrica is creating: not just events, but intentional, alternative spaces where African culture, joy, nostalgia, and community is experienced.
At the center of this community is Pearl Chuks, the founder of SippAfrica. She is a woman with a deep love for culture, community, and connection. Pearl sat down with us to talk about how SippAfrica started, how it's grown, and why it’s much more than a party.
Me: Let’s get to know you. What’s your name, your role at SippAfrica, and what does SippAfrica mean to you?
Pearl Chuks: My name is Pearl Chuks, and I’m the founder of SippAfrica. For me, SippAfrica means community, but not the usual kind of community gathering that's built around nightlife or partying. Sipp is different. We’re creating alternative spaces where people can have fun and always have a drink in hand, whether it’s through a cultural themed movie night or a nostalgic experience.
Our focus is on Africans, but we also want non-Africans to experience African culture. When we were in Nigeria, we hosted events like Adult’s Day Out, where adults could relive their childhood moments, playing with water guns, jumping on bouncy castles, drinking Ribena, and just dropping all the weight of adulthood for a day.
Now that we are in the UK, the direction SippAfrica is taking has become even clearer. We’re leaning into nostalgia, reminding people of joy, identity, and the essence of who they were before life became all about work and survival. Through art, music, games, and culture, we create moments of escape. That’s what Sipp is about: fun, culture, and community over drinks.
Me: It’s really amazing what you’re building. Sharing African experiences in a way that also gives adults a space to unwind is so powerful. I have a few questions about SippAfrica as a community, all you do, and the impact on the people that have been involved in this over the years.
1. Sippafrica curates experiences that go beyond just entertainment and bringing people together. Was there a specific moment or feeling that made you want to build a space like this?
Pearl: Definitely. I grew up majorly in Abuja with parents who didn’t really allow us to go out. If we wanted to go to parties, we’d have to cover for each other. I’ve always loved going out, dancing, and doing outdoor activities but I started to ask myself, “Why do we only party at night?” What if we did it during the day? And that was the moment I said, nobody was stopping us from doing things differently.
Then when I moved to the UK, I saw an even bigger gap. I started to ask, “How can I fill this space in a way that’s meaningful?” That’s how Sipp evolved. It’s not just about parties. We’ve done learning conferences, design and marketing fests, basically any event where people can show up as they are, feel seen, and feel free to connect with others.
We’re building community and culture at once, a sort of knit commitment that joins you and other people together. But also telling other people who are not part of you that you are a community, and this is happening here. For instance, we had Naija Day, where we served a three-course Nigerian meal styled like the British dining experience. We’ve also hosted African Karaoke day, spotlighting different African music. I realized what we started in Nigeria had even more potential here in the UK, where people are craving community and cultural connection.
2. What makes a SippAfrica event different from a regular party or gathering?
Pearl: The biggest difference is the intention. We are not replicating the same club scene or nightlife vibe. Every event is thoughtfully curated. I am always thinking outside the box, “What haven’t people experienced in a while? What feelings can we bring back?” We’re building events around emotion and memory.
We hosted a paint-and-sipp in Newcastle, which was something many Africans never experienced growing up. People were painting, laughing, making a mess, and nobody cared about perfection. They were just present. We had African food, music, drinks, and it was a vibe. The event was supposed to end at 8 PM, but no one wanted to leave until after 10 PM.
For us, quality and rest go hand in hand. We don’t want people to party all night and then regret it the next day. We want them to enjoy, go home, rest, and still show up the next day feeling good. That’s why our events are mostly during the day. And we don’t gatekeep. Whether you're African or not, you're welcome to experience Africa through us. Because of SippAfrica we know that you will interact and experience these cultures, their food, music, art, whatever it is, there is a 90% chance you will be able to interact with them through us. That is what makes us different.
Me: Do you have a specific venue, or does it vary by event?
Pearl: It varies. SippAfrica officially launched in Newcastle and we’ve since expanded to Birmingham, London, Glasgow, and Sunderland because people from different cities have reached out, saying they want Sipp events where they live.
We’re still growing, but we move with the times and with collaboration. If someone says, “Hey, can you do this in Kent?” we’ll sit down, have the conversation, and make it happen. We partner with local communities to bring these events to life. So yes, we’re mobile.
3. For years you have hosted a number of events, from Naija Day, Sipp and paint parties, to the play jorr series, what moments truly reflect what Sippafrica stands for?
Pearl: So many. But one that stands out is Adult’s Day Out in Nigeria. Watching adults let loose, eating sweets, jumping around, forgetting adulthood for a day, that’s the essence of what we’re trying to do: help people unwind and connect in their truest forms.
Another one was the Y2K party. It hit differently. Most of our audience grew up in the early 2000s, a time when life was simpler. All we did was listen to music, watch cartoons, and do homework. Then we all grew up and 2020 hit, the pandemic happened, and suddenly everyone had to grow up faster than they planned to. [laughs]
For Y2K, we had a DJ who mixed music from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Angola, songs we all grew up on. It felt like a reunion of different cultures and childhood memories. Everyone danced, played games, laughed, it was one of those “I’ll remember this for a long time” moments. The UK is so rigid, everything is centered around work, the way it’s set up especially as an immigrant. This space allows for people like us to find time to unwind, and Y2K was one of those days because I was happy to bring this many people from different parts of the world together. We received so much feedback from people and it really made us happy because it is what we stand for people to have a good time, not necessarily clubbing or strictly artists performing, all we want to do is to create new experiences for people to be in.
4. Have you seen the community impact go beyond the events themselves, maybe in the form of friendships, collaborations, or people finding belonging?
Pearl: Absolutely. I have a friend who met another friend at a Sipp event, and now they create TikTok content together without me, and I love that! She had been looking for someone to collaborate with, and now she has that. The community we create allows you to meet with people who are ready to pull you out of that comfort zone.
At the Y2K event, several DJs and content creators met new people, gained followers, and got booked for other gigs. And beyond that, we’ve had people come to our events alone and leave with new friendships. I remember one girl who arrived early and sat by herself. I noticed her, introduced her to my friends, and by the end of the night, she was all smiles. Later, she sent us a message saying it was one of the best nights she’s had.
That’s the whole point, connection. Whether it’s creatives finding collaborators or immigrants finding home, we are building something deeper than just parties.
Me: What kind of people typically attend SippAfrica events?
Pearl: We get students, millennials, working professionals (people in business, tech, and care workers). I love seeing care workers show up because they work so hard, and I know how much they need to unwind. It’s beautiful seeing people from all walks of life come together like this.
5. Looking ahead, what should people expect from SippAfrica upcoming events this July and in August?
Pearl: On July 27th, we’re bringing the Y2K event to Birmingham. On August 24th we’re bringing the Y2K event to London. Expect good vibes, nostalgic moments, and a guaranteed good time. From the DJs to the food, drinks, and the people, we make sure it’s always a vibe.
Even if you come by yourself, you will leave feeling like you were part of something. That’s the magic of Sipp.
At its core, SippAfrica is about joy. It’s about reclaiming freedom, embracing culture, and building a new kind of community, one that is focused on giving you moments that feel like home, even if you’re far away from it.