Entertainment in Africa
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Al's Bar
A legend in Kampala, this is the most famous bar in Uganda, although notorious might be a better word! This is the one place in Kampala that you can be guaranteed to find some people propping up the bar into the wee hours of the morning. It gets very busy on weekends, and attracts a regular crowd of expats, Ugandans and a fair number of prostitutes, meaning half the customers or more. There are two pool tables, but you might need to stay all night to get a game.
Drinks are reasonable, and it is not uncommon for this bar to be open 24 hours. It's just down the road from the Half London . Special-hire taxis between here and the city centre cost anything from USh4000 to…
reviewed
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A
Jazz Tone
A popular place with good live jazz music.
reviewed
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Pepper Bush
Another popular nightspot is Pepper Bush, near Carey St.
reviewed
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Imax
Visit the Imax for a serious big-screen experience.
reviewed
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Hotel Parador
While it’s easy to find kif in Chefchaouen, it’s hard to find a beer. The small bar at the Hotel Parador, is fine.
reviewed
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D
Champs Sports Bar
Part of the Paloma Hotel complex, this expat-friendly pub beams in sports from abroad. Thursday is quiz night, Friday is karaoke night, Saturday is live-music night and Sunday movie night. Also serves Mexican food.
reviewed
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E
Yewedale
Thanks to some of the city's best azmaris performing here, this place is resoundingly popular and you may have trouble finding a seat. There's no sign, so just look for the thatched twin-peaked roof above its entrance.
reviewed
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F
Sax Pub
Forget the name, there is no jazz here, but plenty of action. It started out pretty sane with a good mix of African and Western tunes, but lately things have become pretty wild with working girls and an 'anything goes' atmosphere.
reviewed
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Hôtel de l'Indépendance
This is the most notable of the hotel bars, with its rooftop bar by the pool. It is worth coming to have a drink here if only for the fantastic views at sunset - although the height of the parapet means you have to sit on the table to enjoy them.
reviewed
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H
Florida 2000
This big dancing den near City Hall Way works to the formula of booze, beats and tight-packed bodies. All-hours eats are provided by the Water Margin Chinese restaurant. Monday is salsa-zouk-mamba night, Wednesday is straight-up dance/trance and Sunday is Rasta night.
reviewed
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Octopus Bottoms-Up Club
A short stroll from Oginga Odinga Rd, this popular bar has two pool tables, a foosball table, its own disco and more Michael Jackson posters than we're comfortable with. With a largely male crowd and lots of beer flowing, single females may not find it the most appealing of places.
reviewed
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J
Cineplex
The leading cinema group in Uganda is Cineplex, with two locations, the original on Wilson Rd and a new one in the Garden City Complex. The newer one screens new Hollywood releases and charges USh11,000 evenings and weekends, while the original screens slightly more dated features.
reviewed
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K
Mezzanine
Scoring highly on the fashion meter and for late-opening, this new bar is the hippest thing in the medina – more Ibiza than Moulay Idriss. The terrace overlooking Jnan Sbil gardens is a good place to chill with a beer or cocktail, and there’s tapas too if you want some finger food.
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L
La Bodéga
Hip, happening and loved by a mixed-aged group of Casablanca’s finest, La Bodega is essentially a tapas bar where the music (every-thing from Salsa to Arabic pop) is loud and the Rioja (Spanish wine) flows freely. It’s a fun place with a lively atmosphere and a packed dance floor after 10pm.
reviewed
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M
Heaven
The Yumbo Centrum transforms into a pulsating clubbers' heaven at night - and the aptly named Heaven (an offshoot of the London club) is the flashiest and best of the gay discos here. There are straight and gay places in the centre and you could stagger around Yumbo Centrum - as many do - for weeks and not sample all the nightlife options.
reviewed
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N
Casablanca Restaurant & Club
Amid the makuti (thatch made with palm leaves used for roofing buildings) and cartoon animals, this loud split-level bar-club pulls in plenty of Westerners, but also a lot of prostitutes - all-male groups will be mobbed mercilessly, especially on the dance floor. Still, the music is good, there are tables downstairs and the beers are wonderfully cold.
reviewed
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O
Bubbles O'Learys
Kampala's contribution to the growing legion of Irish pubs, this is one of the more authentic. The bar and all the furnishings were shipped in from an old Irish pub back home on the emerald isle. This is now the 'in' place to be on Friday, for the next five minutes at least, and draws a fun crowd. Live music on Wednesday, DJs on weekends, but there is a cheeky cover charge on big nights.
reviewed
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Afric'n Chic
This easygoing 'Afro-Brazilian Moroccan' hot spot run by a Brazilian-French couple draws local crowds for the happy hour. By the time the live samba and bossa nova kicks in, you'll be feeling the vibe, if not buying the odd 'Afro-Brazilian Moroccan' tapas standbys as baked Camembert, salmon tartare and Thai salad. Say what? Stick with the fun international crowd and Moroccan mint caipirinhas at the bar, and drink those borders away.
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Casino
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Civic Theatre
reviewed
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Guildhall Bar & Restaurant
A great place to soak up some history while stoking the fires with a pint or two of lager. There’s an upstairs terrace for city-centre people-watching and food available.
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Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
The city’s budding orchestra stages a regular circuit of concerts, utilising venues from Wits University to City Hall. Call or check its website for the latest program.
reviewed
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Pieter Toerien Theatre
reviewed
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S
Sophiatown Bar Lounge
One of a number of ‘township chic’ bars and restaurants in the city, Sophiatown has a tin awning, waitresses with ‘shebeen queen’ plastered across their chests and is adorned with black-and-white photos of township life. There’s an eclectic menu including kudu, ostrich, crocodile and mopane worms, and there is live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Ster-Kinekor
Has the widest distribution of multiplexes, with screens in the Fourways, Westgate, Eastgate, Sandton and Rosebank malls.
reviewed