Nightclubs and bars in Nairobi Area

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Casablanca, a bar/night club with Moroccon theme, can be a very different spot at different times. The happy hour sees the after work crowd having a drink, and during the week it is a good spot for a romantic evening, especially given the Swahili style daybeds and big cushions. On weekends it is far more lively, with dancing and attracting both the expat scene and the ladies of the night looking for affluent clients. The pick-me-up is not as aggressive as at Gipsy' s, though. The drinks are not overpriced in relation to other places in Nairobi (a Tusker cost 200 KSH, cocktails usually 500). No food unless some nibbles during happy hour, but there is a good Italian restaurant just next door, on the same compound

Dress Code: no formal dress code, people usually are seen in casual smart

Kengeles nightclub and cafe-bar is the only place I stayed for outside my hotel. It's situated in the Koniange Street, not far from the Kenya Comfort hotel. I really like this place. The food and drink is good and not too expensive. And it is easy to speak with the local people here.

The Carnivore has a range of flavors for the nightlife palate. An open-air club w/ bars & dance floor under gazebo-like cover for protection from weather. If I recall correctly, there's a cover charge-maybe equal to $10 U.S. There're no non-smoking laws in Kenya, so the open-air environm't makes the usual bar aroma more tolerable.

I certainly suggest the local fave "daiwa" drink, meaning "medicine". Named so I assume since it will make you forget what ails you. Mostly vodka w/ lime juice & honey. They give you a stirring stick so you can stir it up & mix the honey in. It's pretty tasty, so moderation is key. The other one you should try is actually 5 drinks & if you make pals w/ the patrons, you'll discover it--Sambuca. I know, that's an Italian liquor, but their's is a brand I haven't found in the U.S. that's better than the too-sweet kind you find in the U.S. There're 5 diff colors: red, blue, black, green, & clear. It's not for the faint of liver either, since they shoot it (a flaming shot glass comes to mind & some1 lighting the shot in my mouth w/ my head tilted back), but merely 100 Kenya shillings/shot makes for a cheap night.

After drinks you should be warned the dance flr is a couple steps down from the landing. I want to make it clear 'cause if you miss a step, it's all stone floors & isn't very forgiving. However, the dance floor is big enough for lots of people & if there's a breeze it keeps the floor free of the usual funk of a typical enclosed club.

I guess the biggest catch is the parking & which night to attend. The largest club in Nairobi so parkings limited. We often parked along the road w/ the others who didn't fight for space in the parking lot. The danger here is it's still a 3rd world country & security isn't great outside the club. Avoid walkin alone back to the car. The upside is that they were installing more lighting along the road for those who inevitably park there. I think only Saturdays were the good nights, too, but that "changes w/ the seasons" according to my pal.

Dress Code: The dress is casual to GQ and all in between. They are pretty accepting of any style.