Nightclubs and bars in Eritrea

You may see Asmara Beer in guidebooks and on menus, but ask for it and the waiters laugh. It apparently hasn't been available since 2006, when the brewery ran out of ingredients and closed. Now the only beer you can find is Heineken or Chinese beer (if you're lucky) at an eye watering cost of 80-100 Nakfas a can ($7). The only local beer, which we found tasted of petrol, was found, after much hunting and asking of locals, at the Khartoum Hotel bar. Eritrean wine and imported wine are available at most restaurants - at a cost. Locals seem to drink Asmara gin neat... or sparkling water served tantalisingly in old beer bottles, or a cup of tea...

ASMARA

We tended to drink mostly in restaurants, ordering wine or beer with our meal. However we were very impressed by Zara cocktail bar next to Blue Bird restaurant - great cocktails and an impressive selection of drinks. Almost feels like a London cocktail bar! If you want to try the only local beer, the Khartoum Hotel bar will oblige, but be warned - it tastes of petrol!

MASSAWA

Massawa seems to have the best bar life in Eritrea - there are an array of little bars scattered around the main square on Massawa Island and the atmosphere is nice.

KEREN

The best option is the Red Sea Hotel on the Giro Fiori roundabout. We bought a bottle of Asmara Spumante. The staff looked incredulous. It wasn't great... As per everywhere else in Eritrea, the only beer available cost about $7.