Turn it up
There’s never been a better time to party in Accra
The Nightlife scene in Accra pleasingly crosses boundaries. On weekends, restaurants bring in DJs, clear some space, and turn up the party. Mama Cuisine at the Alliance Française is one of the most happening places on Friday and Saturday nights, but by day, it serves rather lovely food in tranquil environs. And anyone who has been to Bella Afrik will certainly know about it; perhaps more than any other place in Accra, it knows how to foster a good time.
One of the best nights you can have in Accra is at Republic, little more than a street bar in Osu, but for years now, it’s attracted some of the best musicians and DJs from Ghana and beyond.
On any given night there could be poets, reggae singers, film shows, Nigerian hip hop artists, spoken word storytellers, traditional musicians, highlife stars, hiplife wannabes, MCs, DJs, comedians and those just in search of a good night out.
Osu is also where you’ll find long-standing bars and clubs including Venus, Firefly and Shisha Lounge – all places to hit up for an evening of cocktails and dancing.
For upmarket vibes and places to be seen, consider Skybar 25, on the rooftop of the Villaggio Vista in Airport. It has some of the best views in the city and a sundowner cocktail here is a wonderful experience.
If you’re looking for something a bit pubby or a sports bar, then places such as Champs Sports Bar, Honeysuckle and Smoke ‘n’ Barrel are where to head for beer and wings.
And then you’ll find places such as Sai Wine & Champagne Café, a lovely wine bar (something previously missing in Accra), and the ubiquitous hotel bar, with those at the Kempinski and Movenpick being our choice.
The holiday seasons are the busiest and liveliest parts of the year. Easter and Christmas bring the Ghanaian diaspora back home in a celebratory mood. Students who have gone abroad return and fill Accra’s dance clubs and bars. A word of warning: revellers in this city go out late. Don’t expect a place to start to bump until 11.30pm at the earliest.
Accra’s nightlife is renowned, with good reason. As one of the most unbridled in West Africa, and when you’ve sampled the cluster of ambience-rich venues around the city first-hand, you’ll understand why. Accra adores its music and likes a drink – when you add in the Ghanaian tendency for not doing things by halves, the combination is a potent one, whether in a well-designed bar, a buzzing nightclub or on a street corner.
