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Pavement
Split between a relaxed ground-level bar and the big, modern basement club, Pavement is the dancefloor of choice for most resident expats. Weekends favour the kind of jump-up commercial dance music you might get on a night out in Europe.
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Professional Centre
Local theatre troupe the Phoenix Players put on regular performances at this unlikely-sounding venue. Many of the plays are by foreign playwrights but a good proportion are by Kenyans, and new works are well represented.
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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.
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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.
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Simmers
Simmers is the place to come to rediscover a bit of true African rhythm. This lively alfresco pub-restaurant cooks up a variety of traditional African dishes alongside some greasy Western offerings. The atmosphere here is always jumping, with live bands playing anything from Congolese rumba to Kenyan benga while you chow.
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Soho's
A lively and popular place that pulls in a smart Kenyan and expat crowd. As well as the crisp cold beers, there's a good selection of wines and cocktails.
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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…
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Taco's
Taco's sells beers by the dozen(!). An over-21s policy applies, for no apparent reason.
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Toona Tree Bar & Restaurant
Part of the massive International Casino complex by the National Museum, Toona Tree has live bands on Friday and Saturday, playing jazz, blues and 'classic hits'.
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Zanze Bar
A lively and friendly top-floor bar with pool tables, a dance floor, and cheap beer, so that from Friday to Sunday it rocks until the early hours.
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