Club entertainment in Africa
-
Le Moulin Rouge
For dancing, try Le Moulin Rouge at the northeastern end of town, which plays everything from Malagasy to Euro-pop.
reviewed
-
Complexo Monte Verde
Beira's main nightclub is midway between Praia de Makuti and the airport.
reviewed
-
New Cadillac
This long-running club is still just about holding off all-comers to remain the most popular place in town. Located in the Kimikurure district not far from the centre of Kigali, this is a large, partly open-air venue that plays a mixture of East African pop, Congolese soukous (dance music) and Western hits most nights. Drinks are pricey but you are paying to be seen. It doesn't really pick up until after midnight, but once it does, it really rocks.
reviewed
-
A
Actor's
Black, white, and always ready to make a scene, Actor's was recently launched at the Marrakesh International Film Festival to give crowds a place to bask in reflected red-carpet glory. The wall-sized black-and-white photos of pale models with enormous sunglasses, Sofia Loren hats and red lipstick set a kitschy '80s vibe. Midweek it's you and the DJ, but on weekends clubbers descend from Casablanca to revive the last days of disco.
reviewed
-
Mafana Club
For a bit of decadent nightlife, try the disco at Mafana Club. Get your party on at Fort Dauphin's recently pimped-out nightclub that's fast becoming known as the place to get your swerve on. You'll shake to a mix of Malagasy and Western music, especially on busier Friday and Saturday nights. The interior décor is swanky and the deck looks out over Baie Dauphine. Las Vegas features regular Malagasy music and reggae shows.
reviewed
-
Joya
The beachfront suburb of Aïn Diab is the place to go for late night drinking and dancing in Casa. However, hanging out with Casablanca's beautiful people for a night on the town doesn't come cheap. Expect to pay at least around DH100 to get in and as much again for drinks. Heavy-set bouncers guard the doors and practise tough crowd control - if you don't look the part you won't be getting in. Joya is a popular haunt.
reviewed
-
Bô Zin
Ostensibly a restaurant with Thai touches, Bô Zin's real appeal is eye candy, Asian-Moroccan architectural razzle-dazzle, and break-out performances by diners including the likes of Salma Hayek. Go late and on weekends, when it's packed; otherwise, this enormous place is a party desperately waiting to happen. It's not that far from Pacha Marrakesh if you really want to make a night/morning of it.
reviewed
-
B
Simba Saloon
Nairobi's best clubs and bars are mostly found in the suburbs. This is one of the best. DJs play most nights and there are live music events most weekends. There are also occasional CD launch parties and stand-up comedy to amuse the wealthy Kenyans, expat teenagers, travellers and NGO workers who frequent it. Next door is the legendary Carnivore restaurant.
reviewed
-
Civil Servants' Club
Even bureaucrats need to let their hair down - the Civil Servants' Club is virtually the only reliable spot for a drink and a dance at weekends, and occasionally plays host to big names like the Ogopa DJs. It's small, loud, rowdy and great fun, though lone women should run for cover and the harbour wall outside is a potential death trap after a few Tuskers.
reviewed
-
C
Le Paradise
The dance floor here doubles as a runway for Marrakesh's jet set, and it's taken such a relentless pounding over the years that it recently had to be redone. Now the redesigned two-story club has a snazzy new look, some trippy new light effects, and a 1st-floor bar called Le Before where you can summon some liquid courage before entering the fray.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
D
Caesar
Other than Aïn Diab the only real options are the clubs at the large international hotels. They're pretty predictable places with little atmosphere but they attract plenty of business people and tourists. Prostitutes work all of the clubs, men are always expected to pay for the drinks and women shouldn't expect hassle-free drinking anywhere.
reviewed
-
Club Thriller
Lies in a rough area, but beyond the weapons-search at the door, the music is Western and African and the atmosphere upbeat and relatively secure. However, avoid carrying valuables or wearing jewellery; foreigners may also have to fend off strangers hitting them up for beers and cash. Women travelling alone may not feel comfortable here.
reviewed
-
E
Cyclone Café
Like bees to Bacardi, students (and the odd grizzled geezer) swarm on this pub-like, beer-friendly watering hole when live bands perform certain evenings. Good blend of electro, maloya (traditional dance music of Réunion), hardtek and drum 'n' bass. A small pression (draft beer) costs around €3.
reviewed
-
F
Roxy's
This clubbing stalwart is one of the oldest and best-known venues in Jo'burg for pop and hard rock on the weekends. It's the local clubbing multiplex, in fact, with multiple bars and dancefloors that fill up with a younger crowd of mostly university students. During the week, nights vary from comedy to theme parties to karaoke.
reviewed
-
G
Centro Comercial San Telmo
Post-midnight, Los Cristianos' action takes place at the Centro Comercial San Telmo, the shopping centre behind Playa de las Vistas when this daytime-dull little strip is transformed into a string of nightclubs pumping out music late into the night. In Las Américas, places are altogether classier and more costly.
reviewed
-
H
Latex
The grande dame of Cairo’s club scene, the Nile Hotel’s basement party zone has changed hands several times over the years, but it still manages to keep up with the times. The music is always some variation on house, with the occasional Arabic pop hit thrown in, and the crowd is largely 20-somethings.
reviewed
-
I
Nyanza House Club
One of the real earthy local hangouts is the Nyanza House Club; you'll see posters plastered all over town advertising its reggae parties. A night out here will be as authentic a modern African experience as you can get, but we couldn't in good conscience suggest that unaccompanied women go anywhere near here.
reviewed
-
J
Monte Carlo Club
One of the real earthy local hangouts is the Monte Carlo Club; you'll see posters plastered all over town advertising reggae parties here. A night out will be as authentic a modern African experience as you can get, but we couldn't in good conscience suggest that unaccompanied women go anywhere near here.
reviewed
-
Le Rubis
Under new ownership, this place had turned itself into Ziguinchor's most fashionable dance floor when we visited, with salsa on Fridays and a global punch of hip-hop, R&B, mbalax (a mixture of Cuban beats and traditional sabar drumming) and plenty more on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
reviewed
-
XVIème
Upmarket, stylish and expensive, this urbane club in Agdal even requires reservations in advance. Rabat's finest socialities come here safe in the knowledge that the bouncers are intent on keeping out the riffraff. Put on your fanciest clothes and visit an ATM before joining the queue at the door.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Barmooda
The students and bohemians of Obs are obviously getting a bit fussier about where they hang out if the slick looks of this place are anything to go by. The DJs specialise in house and R’n’B and there’s a pole on the dance floor should you feel like putting on a show.
reviewed
-
L
Sombrero's
If you are already tanked up and feeling cheesy, head to the leading club in town, although if you have seen the places it is leading, that isn't quite the commendation it sounds. Local expats hit it once in a while and it's a more Ugandan experience than life at the camping grounds.
reviewed
-
M
La Piedra
It doesn't get much more humdrum than Valverde, and during the week everyone heads home early. On weekends, you might find a bit of action if you're lucky - and if you do, you could do worse than end the night at La Piedra, the closet thing Valverde has to a discoteca.
reviewed
-
N
Rive Gauche
Above the faded Zamalek Hotel, this newly refurbished club has a large dance floor and different DJs each night. There's also a very pleasant outdoor terrace to catch your breath after boogying. With less attitude than many other venues around town, it's a great spot to party.
reviewed
-
O
Las Verónicas
On Playa de las Américas' border with Costa Adeje, Las Verónicas has a buoyant and youthful nightlife. There have been problems with violence and drugs here, although these are reputedly lessening after the closure of several of the seedier, drug-peddling places.
reviewed
