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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.
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Bomas of Kenya
The Bomas of Kenya is a cultural centre at Langata, near the main gate to Nairobi National Park. The talented resident artistes perform traditional dances and songs taken from the country's 16 various tribal groups, including Arab-influenced Swahili taarab music, Kalenjin warrior dances, Embu drumming and Kikuyu circumcision ceremonies. It's touristy, of course, but it's still a spectacular afternoon out.
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Cameo Cinema
The fleapit Cameo Cinema is well placed but appears to show manly sex films.
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Casablanca
This hip new Moroccan-style lounge bar has been an instant hit with Nairobi's fastidious expat community, and you don't have to spend much time here to become a convert. Shisha pipes, wines and cocktails conspire to ease you into what's bound to end up as a late night.
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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 to suck in premature punters.
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Dormans Café
Established in the 1960s, this venerable firm has only recently branched out into the café business but has certainly made an aggressive Starbucks-style start, opening a shiny pine outlet right opposite its main rival Nairobi Java. The coffee's good and the selection of teas is impressive, but so far the food just doesn't compete.
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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.
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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.
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Gypsy's Bar
This is probably the most popular bar in Westlands, pulling in Kenyans, expats and prostitutes. It's as close as you'll get to a gay-friendly venue in Kenya.
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Hornbill Pub
A large, dark but friendly bar stretching the width of the block between Moi Ave and Tom Mboya St, with lashings of cold Tusker and sizzling nyama choma .
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Jockey Pub
The Hilton's house boozer is a cosy English-style hostelry, but nonguests are subject to a hefty minimum-spend requirement. There's a free yard of ale if you can drink it in under three minutes without stopping, a feat possibly not to be attempted on a full stomach.
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Kenya National Theatre
This is the major theatre venue in Nairobi. As well as contemporary and classic plays, there are special events such as beauty pageants, which are less highbrow but still culturally interesting.
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Klub House
The Klub House is an old favourite. The spacious bar has more pool tables than anyone else and is a good place to party until late. Music is predominantly Latino, Caribbean and African.
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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.
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Mzizi Arts Centre
The Mzizi Arts Centre, a smaller centre in a central office building, is a good place to view contemporary Kenyan art, craft, dance, literature and performance art. 'Cultural Personality Evenings', when Kenyan cultural stars give lectures, and sigana performances are held here.
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Nairobi Cinema
Goes through phases of only screening Christian 'message' films.
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Nairobi Java House
Western café culture has hit Nairobi at last and Nairobi Java House offer that elusive decent coffee plus many other tasty treats; thankfully, there's also a branch at Jomo Kenyatta airport.
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New Florida
New Florida is the 'Mad House', a big, rowdy club that's usually crammed with bruisers, cruisers, hookers, hustlers and curious tourists. Entry is usually free before .
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Nu Metro Cinema
The first entry in a chain of modern multiplexes springing up around Nairobi, showing new Western films fairly promptly after their international release. Seats here are pretty steep, but that's still cheaper than the popcorn at a London picture house.
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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.
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Odeon
Odeon is one of several local cinemas showing a mix of Indian, South African and Western films. Tickets are very cheap but reels are often scratched.
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Oleander Café
This small elevated café has limited stocks of food and drink, but the terrace is so surrounded by greenery that you barely even notice the busy road below, providing a perfect respite from town if you happen to be around the Nairobi Hill area.
