Nairobi, the green city under the sun, not only boasts it’s wildlife and snorkeling locations: it’s also home to amazing night clubs, pubs, cool bars, and a couple of echo-making spots that would grant revelers and visitors to the city whatever it is that they want. The old nightclubs within the city keep offering additional sophistication to the already available features while the newer ones keep sprouting, making Nairobi an absolute partying centre after dusk. Nairobi clubs also provide a wide selection of music alongside an atmosphere which guarantees nothing short of the best partying experience to clubbers. This post offers a highlight of the best clubs in Nairobi where you can be sure of a good time.
Immediately after sundown, the city of Nairobi transforms to become the ideal partying hub with lots of revellers bustling about and trying to identify the ultimate spot where they can while the night away. As the weekend approaches, you’ll notice that the music from the numerous Nairobi night clubs gets louder. Moreover, you can always be sure of a wide choice of drinks and menus that offer exquisite food that you’ll keep munching as you rave.
Notably, clubs in Kenya, pubs, and bars invest heavily on sound systems, décor, and furnishings in a move to get an edge in the rather competitive sector as well as to retain their client base. So it’s recommendable that you try and find out which crowd is targeted by a specific club before going to have fun. This way, you won’t risk disliking the type of music or failing to afford enough drinks for the night.
Nairobi city at night
Ask a foreigner about Nairobi, and they’ll definitely tell you how the city is pretty much similar to some of the world’s largest cities: busy, street lights, and a nightlife that would remain memorable for anyone visiting for the first time. The character of the city transforms immediately as the sun goes down. At night, the streets of Nairobi are characterized by movement, making it a sprawling city offering loads of adventure, food, fun, and a hip scene. Life is abundant at night, and you’ll have an easy time finding the fun activities to take part in during your stay.
Those looking for dancing and drinking spots are guaranteed of a good time since there’s a wide variety of bars, pubs, and clubs in Nairobi. Travellers and visitors to this location can fancy a night out in one of the joints, watch a movie, do karaoke, or find a fine eatery to dine in. In the evening, the city is full of life and offers plenty of stimulation alternatives with consideration to the distinctive interests of different fun-seeking individuals.
At night, the city is energetic with silver screen lobbies, clubs, casinos, and theatre corridors. You can also enjoy theme evenings that are usually arranged by the clubs. For instance, ‘culture nights’ are characterized with customary nourishment, music, and popular beverages from some of the country’s primary ethnic communities. This explains why this city has been voted to be among the region’s urban areas that truly loves party life. With this in mind, investors in the entertainment and hospitality industry further encourage this by further developing domains that, you know, favor the turn-up.
Top ten night clubs in Nairobi
By all accounts, the city’s amusement scene is heading in the right direction. From organizing more events and regularly inviting A/B list celebrities who grace different occasions to having a more energetic club scene and creating a ‘looking the part’ culture for revellers, the entertainment is just robust. Notably, Nairobi night life can’t be complete without a couple of dances and nightclubs. Here are some of the most popular joints.
1. Brew Bistro
Situated along Ngong Road on Piedmont Plaza, Brew Bistro is among the hottest clubs in Nairobi. The club is popular for its premium brews and master brewers alongside the exquisite restaurant which is known for serving delicious international and local bites and gourmet meals. Before nightfall, the atmosphere of the club is generally laid back. The touches of lavender and coral on the décor contribute to the general relaxing mood.
The club also has a lounge and outdoor terrace that are great places to hang out, and if you’re visiting the joint as a group on busy nights, you may have to book a table. Most of the time, you’ll either find a DJ or a band offering an electric performance, so the music is great and you can be sure of a fun-filled night out. You can check in for their happy hour that’s usually between 5 pm and 7 pm where you’ll enjoy cocktails, in-house brewed beers, and mojitos at discounted rates. The themed nights at Brew Bistro include Caribbean night and Karaoke night.
2. Mercury Lounge Nairobi
This popular entertainment joint is located at ABC place, off Waiyaki Way. If the beer prices and the sophisticated crowd are anything to go by, then Mercury Lounge is quite the upmarket nightclub that makes for one great night out. Notably, it’s not unusual to identify expats here with a variety of both local and exotic brands that meet different tastes and preferences.
The music in this club is great, and its atmosphere is generally mellow. Mercury Lounge is also well decorated with vast modern furnishings while also offering ample parking and security. You can also visit the Mercury Irish Pub that’s located at the Junction Mall along Ngong road which is a great spot to enjoy plenty of cocktails, delicious steaks, and beers. The location is also convenient, as you can access a variety of shops and amenities at the mall.
3. K1 Klub House
Are you an ardent reggae fan looking for a joint where you can enjoy smooth roots and Jamaican dancehall music? K1 Klub House is the place to be. With its strategic location, the popular joint is within reach at the cool and serene Westlands suburbs along Ojijo road, Parklands. The elegant and upscale nightspot is famed for its reggae night that’s usually held on Thursdays. During the weekends, K1 is usually pretty busy, a situation that’s quite common with most clubs within the city. Regardless, the choice of drinks is quite decent and the music played will guarantee an entertaining night.
The club has different sections which feature four bars. Each of the bars is adorned with eye-catching décor to offer a range of settings ranging from modern, classic, to magnificent. Heaven, Paradise, as well as Pitcher & Butch Bars offer you great bottle service that will quench your thirst in an atmosphere that’s worth dying for. What’s more, you can also quench your taste buds with the mouth-watering nyama choma offered at Club Jiko.
4. Choices Nairobi
Nairobians and Kenyans, in general, have something with sports bars. If you are looking for a joint where you can enjoy your favorite games live while sampling a variety of drinks, then this is one of the most recommendable places in the city. Choices Pub is strategically located along Baricho Road within Industrial Area and is particularly funky for mature individuals.
The joint has themed weekday nights whereby you can listen to different specific genres from Rock to R&B. You can attend their Karaoke or listen to the cool live band on Thursday night. Moreover, Friday nights are mostly for some ‘Old Skool’ music and Soul, while Saturday evenings feature a mix of all the music varieties. The prices are reasonable and the snacks and drinks offered are vast.
5. Tribeka Nairobi
Are you one of the young chaps, or young-at-heart trendsetting Nairobians who’s also free-spirited? Are you constantly looking for an impressive joint offering breakfast to dinner? Look no more. Tribeka Nairobi was established towards the end of the year 2011 and has grown to be the preferred and most popular all-night scene within the city’s central business district. It has a swanky VIP section, popularly known as the Beka Lounge that sits 150-180 guests and has been a popular hangout choice for the urbane professionals since 2012 when it opened its doors.
Located conveniently opposite Nation Center along Kimathi Street, Tribeka is a great choice to party with friends even when you’re not driving. Notably, the club attracts a mature group of revellers mostly in their late twenties, and you’ll always find a decent crowd regardless of the day of the week. The joint aspires to continue offering the best services and live up to their tagline ‘Your passport to Nairobi’s nightlife.’
6. Havana Bar and Restaurante
This joint exhibits the most delicious culinary magic alongside the best in draft brews that are premium fermented. Havana Bar and Restaurante is situated on Westlands’ Woodvale Groove, right beside Sarit Center. The proprietors must have sunk in millions to make the club join the league of best clubs in Westlands Nairobi and one of the country’s first-class clubs.
Notably, the location has a conventional bar offering a decent choice of both local and international liquor brands. Moreover, you’ll be served with an assortment of course menus, gastro bar, tapas, and express a la carte, all of which match flawlessly with a fabulous variety of uniquely made draft lagers. The weekends here begins on Thursdays where some of the country’s renowned DJs play.
There are salads and soups for starters, beef steak, different fish varieties, chicken meals, pork chops for the main course, as well as beverages and desserts. The most popular clientele in this location includes the business types and expats who come here on Thursdays.
7. KIZA Restaurant and Lounge
Notably, KIZA is an international brand, and it happens to have an offshoot in the Kenyan capital city. The addition to the club scene of Nairobi and the whole country, in general, comes out as a bit more mature with regards to the kind of crowd the spot attracts. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed or don’t qualify to set foot in this location. All you need to do is keep it classy.
The club is located off Argiwins Kodhek Road, at Galana Plaza and is among the most popular spots in the city at the moment. This club attracts a large crowd and may get a bit too crowded. However, there’s a lounge side from where you can sit, especially if you have a group of friends with you. With the theme nights, drink varieties, and great food, what more could you ask for?
8. Alchemist Bar
This joint is also located in Westlands, situated right next to Unga House. Albeit not having been in existence for a long time, The Alchemist is growing to become a favourite entertainment joint for a huge number of Nairobi residents attracting lots of revellers with every passing weekend. What makes this popular club tick is generally the atmosphere.
Notably, it has a brilliant mix of classy revellers from different backgrounds and nationalities, great music variety, and food that you can easily get from Mama Rocks anytime you feel hungry. You also get to enjoy performances by renowned artists, DJs, and bands every now and then. As for the recommended dress code at The Alchemist, well, don’t struggle to impress. In fact, just switch those heels for some comfortable dancing shoes.
9. B-Club
The widely talked about B-Club, otherwise known as billionaires club in other circles, has majorly focused on overpricing, extravagance, and exclusivity to build its reputation. So if you feel like being drenched in champagne that goes for Ksh.20,000 per bottle during your birthday, then this is the place for you. Anytime you’re feeling rich; you can visit this place and rub shoulders with the sons and daughters of politicians as well as other movers and shakers in the city.
The club is located on the first floor of Galana Plaza in Kilimani and offers bottle service, a money cannon, and a legitimate VIP area.
10. Sarabi, Sankara Hotel
This joint in Westlands is located at Sankara Hotel’s rooftop, and it’s one of the clubs that you must check out if you’re looking for a fun-filled night. You’ll get to enjoy the pretty chill ambience, more so if you are just looking for a subtle relaxed night out. If you’re visiting the club on either Friday or Saturday, you may get to enjoy nice live band music.
The drinks and food served may turn out to be relatively quite expensive compared to other clubs in the city. But then again, it’s Sankara – one of the Kenyan five-star hotels. The dress code is smart casual, and you may as well bring with you a jacket or a throw on since it gets really cold late into the night due to the pool.
Note that all night clubs in Nairobi and the country at large open from 5 pm during weekdays and 2 pm on the weekends as provided by law. Moreover, you’ll need to find a designated driver since ‘Alco-blow officers’ will teach you how to avoid drinking and driving in Nairobi at night if you ignore the cautions on the liquor bottles. Finally, don’t leave your drink on the table unattended.