Music entertainment in Africa
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A
Chez Ruhara
The ultimate club in Buj, Chez Ruhara is a cross between an underground rave in Africa and a scene straight out of Mad Max. Set in the basement of an unfinished tenement block on the back streets, there are steel poles sticking out and leaks on the stairs. But once inside, it really rocks and has deservedly earned the nickname 'Jazz Club'. African and international tunes, a steady flow of drinks and the option to go all night - welcome to the alternative Burundi.
reviewed
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B
After Eight
A funky, poorly ventilated venue that gets packed for everything from jazz trios to a Frank Sinatra impersonator to the wildly popular DJ Dina, who mixes James Brown, ’70s Egyptian pop and the latest cab-driver favourites; the clientele is equally eclectic. Reserve online (the website’s style in no way reflects the club’s).
reviewed
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C
Bar Code
It's nowhere near as cool as it thinks it is, but this very modern late-opening lounge bar does at least have a good range of international spirits and cocktails, plus semi-competent DJs spinning R&B and hip-hop for the tiny dance floor. The lurid painted toilets are probably the best bit, in keeping with the vague gangster theme.
reviewed
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D
Club Soundd
A central nightspot with a bit more to offer those who take their music seriously: high-profile local posse the HomeBoyz DJs play on Friday, there's salsa on Sunday and a rare trance night on Wednesday. It opens earlier than most similar places, and has a happy hour until 20:00 to suck in premature punters.
reviewed
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E
Toyz Disco
A loud and lively Kenyan nightspot just off Nkrumah Rd. The 'Be Casual' sign outside announces in graphic form that drugs, nudity, fighting and weapons are banned, which seems to work as it's perfectly friendly inside. Entry is free for women. Expect plenty of gangsta rap and jangly Congolese music.
reviewed
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F
L'Africa Queen
If there's a constant here, it's the promise that the music, whatever the style, will get you groovin'. DJs roll through salsa, hip-hop, house, electro and soul but always find a way to keep the dance floor filled. Heart-start the night with a few shots at Café de la Gare, in the same building.
reviewed
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G
Crazy 88
Hosts up-and-coming and big-name bands and a host of DJs from around the country. It’s all here – house, hip hop, rock and jazz, and there are chilled-out Sunday sessions and more raucous fancy-dress parties on Friday and Saturday night. The mixed crowd is grounded and attitude-free.
reviewed
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Le Boeuf sur le Toit
Out in the up-and-coming suburb of La Soukra 'the beef on the roof' is named after a surrealist ballet; it's a restaurant with a dance floor and terrace, and regular DJs, live gigs and Sunday jazz evenings, attracting Tunisia's most cosmopolitan crowd.
reviewed
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H
Monopol Centre
One great entertainment space is the Monopol Centre , which has a cinema, terrazas, bars and small clubs. Our favourite is the Lounge Bar, which doesn't get going until after midnight, but has funky DJ sounds and a spacey, industrial vibe.
reviewed
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I
Taco Bell
On the 1st floor, with an open balcony overlooking the street, this popular bar has DJs from Thursday to Sunday. Food is served but there's not a burrito in sight - we suspect the Taco Bell Corporation doesn't know they've borrowed the name…
reviewed
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J
Le Makoumba Plus
Although most of Bobo's garden bars turn into dance venues late on Friday and Saturday nights, Le Makoumba Plus, near the market, is a dedicated nightclub that pumps out loud music most nights of the week, and really gets going by the weekend.
reviewed
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K
Nyira Rock
A local nightclub in the city centre, there is usually a friendly crowd here. Don't be put off if it looks closed from the main road, as the entrance is up the alley to the right. DJs, cheap beers and plenty of action towards the weekend.
reviewed
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L
Colours Café
Above a pizzeria on this energetic stretch of eateries, snag a seat by a window overlooking the square. A cocktail bar with mellow décor and Latin and African music, this is a good place to kick off your night on the tiles.
reviewed
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M
Tokyo Star
Anime chic and loads of plastic characterise this trendy, noisy Tokyo-style bar where young people nightly learn the rules of seduction and break the laws of attraction. Asian snacks such as tempura (around R22) are served.
reviewed
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N
Art Bar Café
This promising place in the cinema building was about to open when this text was written. It's run by the same people who used to run one of Beira's best bars (now closed) and will have snacks, drinks and a DJ after 23:00.
reviewed
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O
Jimmy's Discotheque
For a more DJ-driven experience, plus well-heeled patrons, and Western dance music with occasional African rhythms, try this place. It gets going by 23:00 on weekends and doesn't close until the last punters stagger home.
reviewed
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P
Green Corner Restaurant & Cactus Pub
This very popular after-work bar and restaurant just opposite the Nairobi Cinema has live bands on Thursday and Sunday and DJs the rest of the week. Music is generally modern, East African and enthusiastically received.
reviewed
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Q
Legends
This is a bar most evenings and a nightclub at weekends, where young expats and well-to-do Malawians mix it up in a happy and energetic atmosphere. The music is a fair blend of Western and African.
reviewed
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R
Hectic On Hope
Studiedly untrendy, school-hall-style venue above an old boozer. New wave, electronica and alternative dance hits from recent decades are what draw the studenty, screw-fashion crowd.
reviewed
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S
Fool Company
Has some live music, but mostly invigorating funk and R&B DJs. It can get packed with a party-loving crowd firing up to a steamy dance-pit. Look for the plastic bamboo out front.
reviewed
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Le Livingstone
Expect reassuring guitar riffs - at least when the rock-loving English owner has wrestled control of the hi-fi - and an expat crowd kicking back on the terrace. Hearty food too.
reviewed
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T
Joy
Sophisticated it ain't. This cavernous disco pumps out a mix of techno, pop and house. It's popular with the local 20-something gang with free drinks for ladies until 01:30.
reviewed
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U
Monk Bar
Work your way through the many bottled Belgium brews, or the Hoegaarden, Leffe and Stella beers on tap, at this stylish DJ bar over the trendy 0932 Belgian restaurant.
reviewed
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Roast House
This split-level green bar-restaurant is one of the better specimens in the River Rd area, with regular DJ nights, but caution is still advised if coming here.
reviewed
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W
Berlin Bar
Retro-chic bar full of floral ’70s-style sofas and tasselled lamps, like a funked-up version of grandma’s living room. Arty types flock here.
reviewed
