Nightclubs and bars in Somalia

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The Qaybta Cuntada (Restaurant) on top of the Barwaaqo Hotel is the highest point in central Hargeisa and worth a visit. It is a great place in which to see the city at night and you can enjoy an ice cold drink once you have made it to the top of the stairs. I have listed this location under Restaurants as well. If you ask nicely, you can come up here day or night to take pictures of the city. The staff are friendly and the food looks good too.

There is no alcohol served in any establishment in Somaliland, but you can bring in your own alcohol to mix with a nice cold soft drink. Just be discrete out of respect to your hosts.

After a while on any operation, things eventually settle into a routine...For us, it was no different. One day, while messing around with a piece of wood and a ball bearing, rolling it around on the board, I had a thought. Why not make this into a golf course? So, I carved some divots into the wood, grabbed a few green magic markers, and made fairways and greens, sand traps and lakes. Pretty soon, rather than just trying to get the ball in the cup, it turned into a speed competition. Who could get the ball into all of the cups the fastest. I was the reigning champion for a very short time...Even our battalion commander got involved. It became a furious competition.

Other things we did in our "spare" time...reading (lots of that), French lessons (one of my buddies spoke fluently, and helped me refresh the competence I'd picked up in high school, including an imaginary trip through French Canada that led to a real trip once we got back.), and soccer games (we put together a team and played the local club...and lost big to guys with no shoes.)

If you get a chance, try to attend a live Somali theatre called a 'Ruwaayed'. It's usually a mix of music, comedy, entertainment and fun. It's all in Somali-so try to get an English speaking person to accompany you.

Dress Code: Casual dress.

You wont' find too many disco's or nightclubs in Somalia. But the streets are still busy. You will find a lot of restaurants and cafe's with men drinking tea and listening to BBC News or watching Somali tv(SLTV, STN-TV, HornAfrique)

Dress Code: Casual, but no shorts.

Well, to be honest, there isn't much of a night life in Somalia. That is, if your looking for a disco or some sort of dance spot. However , there are restaurants where people play mucic and sing songs. You'll find that in almost any major city. There aren't any alcohol-serving places in Somalia, so if that's what your looking for, you won't find it. After all, this is a muslim country. I know some muslim countries have places where they sell alcohol but not in Somalia.
Usually anybody who is in the restaurant can join in the conversation. Outsiders are welcomed especially, due to their unique perspectives on things such as politics. Don't be surprised if you get offered Qat to chew while you are there.

Dress Code: First of all, you won't find women in these restaurants because women aren't supposed to go out to eat in public places with men. So it's mostly men chewing Qat and chatting about anything. I'd say about 2/3 of Somali men chew Qat which is a a stimulant plant. It causes you to lose your appetite and have a dry mouth. Its mostly chewed in East Africa and parts of the middle east.