Johannesburg
Air your grievances loudly and proudly all day long at this left-leaning Mozambican pub that vies with Nuno's next door for the busiest tables on the…
Must-see nightlife in Africa
Tunis
Wreathed in cigarette smoke, this bar/restaurant has Moorish-style decor, simple food and a casual vibe. It's not as sleazy as many other bars in the…
Nigeria
Grassy area with a stage for nighttime concerts (free) and thatched cabanas where you can buy beers, smoothies and street food, including fiery baked fish.
Agadir
This cool little courtyard cafe, with chilled Arabic electronica on the stereo and a fountain gurgling away, serves coffee and light meals (Dh25 to Dh35).
Sharm El Sheikh
The hub of Sharm’s nightlife. Watch for advertising around town to find out about upcoming events. Women gain free entry into the club before midnight.
Nosy Be
Next to the hotel of the same name, this large bar has great views of the hillside. It's a good place for a beer.
Kampala
Taking over from Al's bar, one of Uganda's most famous (although notorious) bars, Deuces keeps the flag flying as the place in Kampala that never sleeps.
Conakry
Brash club filled with teen and twenty-something lip-gloss-sporting girls in tiny skirts and posing guys. There's also a lounge bar in the same complex.
Southern Tunisia
This cafe is a standard no-frills coffeehouse, but it's used to seeing groups of foreign tourists, so is a little less macho than some Tunisian cafes.
Lesotho
Opened in 2017, this downtown Maseru club features comedy, Latin dance and hip-hop nights, along with an outdoor terrace that overlooks the main drag.
Moshi
A large, loud club for dancing or just hanging out and playing pool. The music is mostly Western, but a few African rhythms make themselves heard.
Cape Town
This charming kosher cafe is one of the projects for the Astra Centre, which provides sheltered employment for Jewish people with special needs.
Bissau
Get lost among the plastic palm trees and plastic people at Insónias, a bizarrely decorated club popular with the NGO and UN crowd at weekends.
Mindelo
Just around the corner from Praça Amilcar Cabral, under Porto Grande Hotel, Syrius is the city's perennially fashionable but often empty disco.
Monrovia
Join the shimmering, moneyed party people at Liberia's sleekest club, which hosts DJs and regular special nights. No shorts or sandals for men.
Agadir
A popular spot for a seafront sundowner. The newer of the two neighbouring branches has a panoramic terrace with brilliant views of the beach.
Plettenberg Bay
A long-established bar in the centre of town with sports on the big screen in the early evening and DJs playing pop and dance tunes later on.
Southern Mozambique
This popular beachside place offers tasty meals, Friday barbecues with live music, sundowners overlooking the water and a convivial ambience.
Siwa Oasis
Right in town, Zeytouna is a favourite evening haunt for local men drinking tea and coffee. Its tables often spill out onto the town square.
Maputo
Inside Núcleo d’Arte (a laid-back artists' cooperative and workshop), with occasional live music.
Stellenbosch
A chilled, student-filled place that also serves lunch – opt for the pizza. There's often live music as well as regular drinks specials.
Restaurant-Bar Le Petit Prince
Tozeur
Previously a restaurant, now a smoky local boozer, this is the best place to get a drink outside the hotel bars in the Zone Touristique.
São Tomé
This cute chill-out bar occupies an old warehouse on the seafront and is a great place to hang out after a weekend meal. English spoken.
Northern Tunisia
Just one of several near-identical cafes strung out along the marina, perfect for a coffee or a fruit juice with your people-watching.
Knysna
Knysna's top spot for late-night dancing offers a relaxed vibe and a balcony area for lounging. DJs play when there are no live bands.
Kampala
In an industrial location, the ‘black angel’ has long held Kampala’s most popular dance floor. Events are listed on the website.
Hermanus
A chilled-out bar with good cocktails and DJs most nights. In the early evening it's a great place to enjoy sunset with a beer.
Rabat
Oliveri has been serving up top-notch ice cream and superb sundaes since 1950, and this Agdal branch is just as popular today.
Arusha
Arusha’s loudest and brashest club is an institution on the town's party scene. The music is a mix of African and Western.
Cairo
Walk through the restaurant to the 1st-floor bar. The beer is not always icy, but the atmosphere is fun, if slightly sleazy.
Malindi
This tiny roadside bar deserves a mention for its lovely garden and fresh carrot juice. Who needs alcohol to clink glasses?
Conakry
A chilled-out place from which to watch the sun sink into a murky Atlantic horizon as you nurse a sundowner drink or two.
Eastern Madagascar
A friendly bar that comes into its own on vendredi joli (aka Friday night), with karaoke and music in general.
Malawi
This hotel bar is surprisingly authentic, with loud African music and soccer matches illuminating the darkened room.
Togo
With its massive BBQ and candle-lit tables, this joint doubles as a beer hang-out and a great spot to grab a bite.
Sefrou
Women will feel comfortable at this lovely cafe on the south side of the shady riverbank in Sefrou's popular park.
Western Tanzania
Busy and noisy bar with tables and a pool table outside under the trees. It's catty-corner to the police station.
Togo
This cheerful, easy-going bar is a fun place for a drink. It also shows regular football games and serves food.
Sharm El Sheikh
A cosy pub where divers congregate for an early evening drink or bar meal. Happy hour is from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Cape Town
This coffee roasters and cafe has several branches around town including this handily located one on Long St.
