Lomé
A nice blend of exhibition space, affordable craft and jewellery, and a vibrant restaurant-bar. There's great live music Thursday to Sunday, catering for…
Must-see nightlife in West Africa
Gabon
A smart new bar with great terrace seating on the seaside corniche, Vin/20 has a good wine list, as you'd expect from the name. There's live music from 7…
Boa Vista
Adorable little blue-and-white shack with a boat shape, right by the fishing boats on Praia de Diante. Expect no less than 70 cocktail varieties, nice…
Cameroon
An excellent place to cut loose in Limbe, this is a young vibrant club playing street music, R&B and soul. A lot of posing from funkily dressed locals…
Rio Muni
Pastries – including croissants and pains au chocolat – and good coffee make this a great place for breakfast. Next to its sister, the Bar Central, it has…
Cabo Verde
Just up from Quebra-Canela beach, Alkimist is a popular, low-key hangout. Grab an outdoor table for an afternoon pick-me-up, or come on Friday and…
Libreville
Dress up to get in the door here: there's a hugely popular black-and-purple bar, a disco and often live music. The entrance price depends on who's playing…
Sierra Leone
Mingle with ministers at China House, strangely located in the compound of the ministerial building. There's regular live music, although you might want…
Ghana
The Jungle Bar, on the grounds of the TICCS Guesthouse, is on a leafy balcony with an all-wood bar, cable TV and comfy benches. It's one of the nicest…
Mindelo
Known to locals as Vou, after the friendly owner, this cool little basement bar plastered with old jazz posters attracts an older crowd. Big-name local…
Dakar
Black & White is the place for cold drinks served at tables right on the sands, with reggae and West African beats playing overhead. You'll have to go…
Accra
One of a number of slick cocktail bars in Accra, where the capital's beautiful people come to see and be seen; dancing generally starts around 10pm on…
Dakar
This lively eatery and drinking space with a colourfully decorated patio draws a mix of locals and expats, and hosts quite the lively salsa parties …
Cabo Verde
Cool beach bar with a hipster crowd, loungey tunes, live music on Friday nights and good food to boot – crepes, sandwiches, burgers and grilled seafood …
Casamance
Sit back in a carved wooden chair and watch village life unfold from this upper-storey bar overlooking the main road. It's a laid-back spot, and a good…
Rio Muni
The 1st-floor terrace at this hotel has sea views, while the bar inside has wood panelling and blasting air-con. It's a convivial place, especially when…
Accra
Champs feels a bit like an American frat boy hangout – with sports on the big screen, karaoke and a menu of burgers and bar snacks. There's also live…
Cameroon
Attractively screened with bamboo, this is an upbeat bar hosting DJ nights and live music nights. It serves beers, whiskies and spirits plus barbecued…
Ghana
Sit on the rooftop terrace and let an ice-cold beer and the sweet sounds of northern hip-life (a hip-hop and highlife hybrid) into your world at this…
Dakar
Past the broad-shouldered bouncers and across the red carpet, this large outdoor place serves well-made cocktails within strolling distance of the…
Kumasi
A friendly beer joint with an outdoor patio on the street; inside it’s all diamond-shaped mirrors and big-screen sports, with dancing as the night goes on.
Sierra Leone
Rather more chilled than many of Freetown's night-time venues, this place has a low-key jazz and soul soundtrack, punctuated by more energetic dance…
Libreville
An old Libreville favourite, the Cotton Club attracts a slightly older clientele. It has a great buzz, especially on weekends. There's karaoke on…
Sierra Leone
Cute Plum Store is shielded from the busy Congo Cross junction by greenery, making it an ideal spot for a quick drink on your way back from town.
Ghana
This small streetside bar, decorated in a dark, Guinness-inspired colour scheme, is a good place to drink a beer or two and watch the world go by.
Sierra Leone
This lively Irish bar across the road from the beach features regular live music and film nights; it also screens big-name football matches.
Rio Muni
An open-air bar with some sports screens, located next to the old stadium, this is a great place for a beer, especially on match nights.
Dakar
A lively daytime spot for drinks and snacks, with a great open-air setting over the ocean. You can also rent surfboards and bodyboards.
Sierra Leone
Reopened in 2015 after a refit, this sleek club favours banging house and hip-hop. It's popular with moneyed locals and expats.
Cabo Verde
On the main plaza in Nova Sintra, Esplanada is a great spot for a pick-me-up after a long walk on the island.
Rio Muni
This is a good place for beer. You'll find lots of Moroccans here from the Somagec housing complex opposite.
Kumasi
Big outdoor space, English premiership football and blaring music are the staples at this low-key bar.
Sal
Busy pub on the main strip, with sidewalk tables, nightly happy hour and DJ-spun tunes from 11pm.
Malabo
Hugely popular club that hosts various events. There is a cover charge for some.
Cameroon
Housed inside a 1905 colonial German residence, this charming cafe-restaurant on Bonanjo's main square has a great garden terrace perfect for an evening…
Monrovia
Wicker armchairs and loveseats line the wide veranda at the oceanfront Tides, where you get views with style. Inside, find the cocktail list scribbled on…
Libreville
A great little bar across the road from the seafront, Le Cactus has a variety of beers and good cocktails. There's food, too – it's called tapas in Gabon,…
Lagos
Dancing bumper-to-bumper, bottles of the hard stuff – the party does not get better than Elegushi Beach on a Sunday night. Go with a local; there have…
Monrovia
This Sinkor institution comes alive on weekend nights, and has drinks specials, karaoke, quiz nights and special events. There's also food, including…
