Must-see nightlife in Africa

  • Siki's Koffee Kafe

    Cape Town

    Siki Dibela, an ex-employee of the Vida e Caffè chain, is the business brains and barista behind the township's coolest cafe. He sells his own blend of…

  • Dancing Spoon

    Nairobi

    The Dancing Spoon is a good place to start the night before making for Westlands. With an impressive cellar of international wines and an equally good…

  • Rainbow Beach Bar, Restaurant & Lodge

    The Gambia

    This place has a perfect location for drinks, though it's often swamped with tour groups all afternoon (between noon and 5pm). Come early or around sunset…

  • Eastwoods

    Pretoria

    Far from sophisticated, brash and breezy Eastwoods is popular with locals, especially at lunchtime and after work hours. There’s a large outdoor deck, and…

  • Tonic

    Johannesburg

    A mural of Queen Elizabeth II with a Ziggy Stardust makeover greets you at this cute bar specialising in gin. It has around 50 different and mostly South…

  • Kafein

    Cairo

    This teensy cafe-restaurant, tucked in the little alley off Sharia Sherif, does good coffee and shisha, as well as yummy fresh juices and milkshakes. Many…

  • Fireman’s Arms

    Cape Town

    Here since 1906, the Fireman’s is a Capetonian institution. Inside, the Rhodesian and old South African flags remain pinned up alongside a collection of…

  • Brewery on the Beach

    Sunshine Coast

    Set back from the seafront, this atmospheric bar set in an old fish factory is a good place for getting a bit of local vibe. It has a small selection of…

  • Pienaar & Son

    Cape Town

    Cape Town is gin-crazy and the two complex gins at this family-run distillery are some of the best. You'll taste them neat before adding just a splash of…

  • Londres

    Sal

    Run by a couple of friendly English expats, Londres offers a winning combination of tapas plates (calamari, Spanish-style meatballs, zucchini carpaccio)…

  • Hotel Parador

    Chefchaouen

    Hotel Parador's restaurant offers beer and wine with meals, which may be enjoyed poolside on the back terrace. But if you aren't hungry or are looking for…

  • Al Lado

    Johannesburg

    Wines, craft beers and classic cocktails with a twist are the stock in trade of this speakeasy-style cocktail bar that's part of the Argentine grill…

  • Elevate Rooftop Bar

    Johannesburg

    Elevate Rooftop Bar, at the top of the Reef Hotel, is a true Jo'burg secret. Most locals have no idea this venue is open every evening to the public and…

  • Délice de France

    Malabo

    This Lebanese-owned place is perfect for breakfast. There's excellent coffee and delicious French croissants and pains au chocolat. Sit on the terrace and…

  • Big Mike's

    Kampala

    Whether you're looking for a lively beer garden, a swanky cocktail bar or a pumping club, Big Mike's has it covered – all under one roof. It's popular for…

  • Deals

    Cairo

    This classic Zamalek hangout can get crammed, and seriously smoke-filled, late in the evening, but we still love its laid-back, casual vibe. Also check…

  • Kahama Sports Bar

    South Coast

    This sleek sports bar, part of the same complex as the Kahama Hotel, has more big screens than you can count, plus disco-ball lighting, burgers and beers…

  • Twankey Bar

    Cape Town

    For those not familiar with the conventions of British theatre, this elegant bar is named after pantomime dame Widow Twankey – which also happens to be…

  • Chatterbox Cafe

    Mahé

    The pick of Eden Island's cafes, Chatterbox does excellent coffee and always has a buzz about it – locals come out to the island just for a coffee here…

  • K-Club

    Kigali

    The general consensus is that K-Club is currently the best spot in town for a night out and come the weekends (the only time admission is charged), it's…

  • Shoestrings Bar

    Victoria Falls (town)

    Popular with locals and backpackers alike, Shoestrings is the most lively spot for a drink in town. It's fairly laid-back during the week, but on Fridays…

  • Kasbah Café

    Marrakesh

    Come sunset, the roof terrace of this cafe is a prime viewing platform for the unfurling nightly social life around Kasbah Mosque. Relax with a fresh…

  • Cafeteria El Horreya

    Cairo

    El Horreya has long been a living room for locals, artists and foreign residents, with tea, coffee and cold Stella beer on offer. It's not as dusty and…

  • African Beer Emporium

    Pretoria

    Capital Craft are the brains behind this new, very welcome and large bar in the hip 012central precinct. The focus, as the name implies, is on local ales…

  • Uncle Merv's

    Johannesburg

    This hole-in-the-wall is famous for its perfectly brewed coffee, decadent banana bread, yummy croissants and killer shakes. Our favourite is the Macci…

  • Regue Jamaa

    Marrakesh

    Watch the comings and goings around Bab Doukkala mosque from under a straw umbrella on the front terrace of this laid-back cafe. There's a long juice list…

  • Reo's

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Reo's is a sleek but welcoming space that ticks all the boxes, with football matches playing on the big screens, a pool table for lazy afternoons, and DJ…

  • Chesterfield Pub

    Gueliz & Ville Nouvelle

    This secret bar on the 1st floor of the Nassim Hotel is a tale of two halves. Inside, the wood-panelled bar is a place where art deco–inspired drinking…

  • Black Diamond

    Nairobi

    If you want to explore real Nairobi nightlife, Black Diamond is an obvious place to start. The crowd is as lively as the music, which is mainly Kenyan and…

  • Memo Club

    Addis Ababa

    About 200m west of Bole Rd (Africa Ave), this is another of Addis Ababa’s hot spots. Cosy seats, red lights and the odd full-length mirror surround the…

  • Bistro Flutuante

    Mindelo

    You'll need to get your sea legs before venturing out onto this breezy floating (sometimes bobbing) dock in the marina. You'll find a few salty expats and…

  • Café-Bar Xeirinho

    Mozambique

    The dark, moody Xeirinho is the unlikely nexus of Chimoio's lively (for Mozambique) music scene. Gigs take place on Friday night, and the karaoke's…

  • Art'Cafe

    Tunis

    The comfy couches in this cavernous space with its jaunty black-and-red decorative scheme are popular with young locals of both genders. Positives include…

  • Via Via

    Arusha

    This cafe is a good spot for a drink, and one of the best places to find out about upcoming cultural events, many of which are held here. On Thursday…

  • Coffeeshop Al Khatoun

    Cairo

    Tucked away in a quiet square behind Al Azhar, this modern outdoor ahwa is a great place to rest up after a walk, with tea and snacks and comfortable…

  • Café Semmarine

    Marrakesh

    This old-fashioned cafe with its wooden stained-glass entranceway is hidden right inside bustling Rue Semmarine. Inside it's spotlessly clean, and the…

  • Centurion

    Harare

    Looking out to Harare's international cricket ground, this cheerful pub is the ultimate spot to watch a match. Other times it pulls a lively crowd of…

  • Twin's Garden

    Flic en Flac

    A sprawling collection of agreeable outdoor tables just across the road from the beach, Twin's has a decent restaurant but we like it more as a lounge bar…

  • The Vue

    Cape Town

    Knockout views of the city, mountains and harbour envelop this rooftop bar, restaurant and lounge. Exhibitionists should bring their swimming cossies, as…

  • Café Le Saf Saf

    Tunis

    La Marsa's most famous, best-loved and most traditional cafe has seating in a lovely tiled courtyard with shady trees – perfect for a leisurely tea or…

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