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Ethiopia

Entertainment in Ethiopia

  1. A

    Fendika Azmari Beat

    This azmari beat rivals Yewedale and is only a few minutes' walk down the street.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Bar Cottage

    Still haven't tried tej (honey wine)? It's time to get a hands-on education in this traditionally decked out, dimly lit den. It's a bit nibbled around the edges but after a few drinks you'll call this place home. It's best at weekends.

    reviewed

  3. C

    National Hotel

    Hallelujah! Live music Thursday to Sunday from around 21:30 to 02:00 or 03:00. The music is a mixture of Ethiopian/Middle Eastern pop, with some traditional tunes thrown in. When not playing, there's soccer on big-screen TV - much less exotic.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Topia Tej Beat

    Off Haile Gebreselassie Rd, tucked up an alley behind the Axum Hotel, this is Addis' top tej beat and the only one to serve pure honey tej. A small flask on an empty stomach had our heads spinning.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Samsun Hotel

    Don't be confused by the name, it's under the right heading here. Identity crisis aside, this publike venue is popular at weekends with an eclectic crowd gulping down glasses of beer. It's just past Harar Gate.

    reviewed

  6. F

    GC Pub

    Almost next door to Samsun Hotel, this pub-cum-bar works to the same formula of booze, reggae beats, a touch of sleaziness and tight-packed bodies at weekends. Dive in!

    reviewed

  7. G

    Hill Top Bar

    American-inspired but insuppressibly Ethiopian. Try, if you dare, a gin fir fir (gin mixed with beer), or, for women, wine diluted with Coca-Cola!

    reviewed

  8. H

    Yegebawal Tej Beat

    For a more rough-and-ready experience, head for this place off Lorenzo Tezaz St. The tej is dirt cheap, but it's not pure as sugar has been added.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Askalech Tej House

    Askalech Tej House. Also known as 'torpedo', it serves tej (honey wine) of varying potency. There's usually traditional music after 19:00.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Abyssinia Café

    This classic Italian café in the heart of the piazza is a true throwback to the days of old. The coffee is great and the beer is cheap.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    D-Cave Club

    Lurking in southwest Addis Ababa, D-Cave hosts well-known DJs most weekends. Music ranges from Ethiopian to hip-hop and drum and base.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Tourist Hotel

    Another bar-cum-club venue, a few doors from the National Hotel. A bit brash, but take a bold approach and you should do all right.

    reviewed

  14. M

    Ali Bal Cafe

    Slap bang in the heart of the Old Town, this is a good place to mull over a coffee or sugar-cane juice and watch life go by.

    reviewed

  15. N

    Virgo Lounge

    This hip drinking den sits above Kaldi's Coffee in southeastern Addis. It's an ideal place to kick back and chill out.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Bru box

    You'll hear the drumbeats from a block away. It's good fun but the faranji drink prices are stupidly steep.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Abkeilish Tej Beat

    This well-known tej beat (purveyor of honey wine) is the best place to delve into some stiff tej.

    reviewed

  18. Q

    Divine

    Slip into a sleek leather lounger, sip a cocktail and groove to heavy hip-hop and rap in this slick new nightclub.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Sofa Juice

    If your insides are calling for drinks of a healthy variety, get your vitamin and fruity fix at this juice haven.

    reviewed

  20. S

    Club Illusion

    This is Addis' most raucous club. It's below the Ambassador Theatre.

    reviewed

  21. T

    Old Milk House

    A popular place, though laden with expats chatting up local ladies.

    reviewed

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  23. U

    Bar Balageru

    Usually the most fun and the most packed.

    reviewed

  24. V

    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