Abidjan Nightlife: The Bars and the Clubs
Bao Café Bar Riviera 2 Don’t let the name fool you, this is no Chinese food hangout. Bao Café caters to the expat crowd on the weekends, serving up strong cocktails. Friday nights they have live music that booms from inside the bar to the outside patio that spills into the street. Red Cross and UN vans line the sidewalks since all of the international community knows to come to Bao for a solid night out. Price: 1000-2000 depending on your dink What not to get: Lemonade, they actually don’t make this well at all of all things Life Star Bar/Club Plateau I personally have mixed feelings about Life Star because our experience wasn’t exactly what we thought it was going to be. We rolled in at bout 1AM to find the place mostly empty. Then we took a table and sat with a bottle of Absolut for 60,000 FCFA (which, even for Africa is truly robbery because you can get the same bottle for half the price at any other club). Our group of 8 decided amongst us it wouldn’t be too crazy to split it and have a place to sit down. The music started with African rap then moved into Top 40 American music. But, in honest, we were in universal agreement that the DJ was pure garbage. He cut songs off half way, waited for the beat to build up then abruptly switched to a slow song, and added mixing where there shouldn’t be mixing. The dance floor as well as broken and was caving in, clearly they aren’t trying to keep the place up. But, if you are into drugs, there were several people doing lines of coke in the back of the club. And don’t let the bathroom attendant harass you into giving him any tips. By the time we left at 3:30AM the place was packed; Abidjan really likes to start the party late. But the crowd stayed predominately local, not as international as you would think since this is one of the two main clubs of the city. But even then; there isn’t any real reason to be in Life Star for that long. Those who stayed behind till 7AM said it didn’t get much better. Price: Exorbitant What to get: The ability to say that you went to Life Star What to skip: A second trip back VIP Bar/Club Vallon Especially after the disappointment of Life Star, VIP is THE spot. When we got there at midnight we were practically the only ones there. By group of 5 sat down at a table and we got our bottle of Absolut at 35,000, nearly half the price than Life Star. Then the DJ switched from Ivorian rap to French music and my group HAD to get up and dance to take advantage of it. Even though we were the only ones on the dance floor, we still belted out the lyrics and danced like the club was packed. They played a wide range of dance songs, some that even harkened back to 2011 at one point. People are incredibly friendly here, we made friends, danced like fools, and one girl even got to go home with someone. It was a successful night all around. The club is energetic and comfortable; this is a must go to spot to have a night out. My group has come here a few times now and every time we leave already planning our next trip back. That atmosphere is vibrant, the crowd is young, and the music all come together to make this place incredibly fun. Pro tip: After the night is nearing its end, hit up the brochette sandwhich stand that smartly sets up shop a few feet away from the entrance to VIP. This may be one of the best drunk foods you could get: beef brochettes drowned in melty cheese on a warm baguette made by friendly Ivorian women. Also, don’t let anyone order for you, order yourself! The guys walking around that ask to take your order aren’t waiters, they’re just looking for a tip (that if you don’t give to them they’ll put a curse on you). Price: 35,000, no cover Bluetooth Bar Bar/Club Angré If you’re looking to get a glimpse at the truly local scene, then Bluetooth will give you that snap shot. Packed into a tight space, the women stand in front of the mirror and the men sit on the couches only to barely touch their bottles of champagne. The music is blasting to full capacity, which if you haven’t been drinking might be deafening. The atmosphere is very jovial and there is no pressure to have to buy a bottle. Grab a few beers and dance in front of the mirror, be weary of girls looking to push you out of the way to get their own time to awkwardly look at themselves make fidgety hand gestures! Overall this shouldn’t be at the top of your list unless you want to see a real Ivorian night, but no reason to stay more than two hours. Price: 2000-3000 What to get: A “cultural experience” Nova Metropolis Bar/Club Zone 4 I have high hopes that on a good day Nova one of the premier spots of Zone 4. For those who are “Zone 4 people” (who you who you are), then this two level dance haven is always high on your recommendation list. A top spot amongst the Abidjanais. The music is a great blend of American ’00 classics and Ivorian rap, and the DJ tacks great beats throughout. The Mirror is large enough to accommodate everyone in the club who wants to watch themselves dance. Everyone is friendly and willing to dance. You can easily stay past 3pm here if you’re with the right people. Parker’s Place Bar/Club Zone 4 When this place advertises itself as a reggae bar, it’s not kidding. Walking into Parker’s Place is like getting smacked in the face with e Bob Marley bong. Personally not my scene (we only took a beer and bounced) but you will find a very friendly crowd here. Everyone is welcoming and swaying along to the music. It also smells like some pot could be scored here if you look hard enough. Price: Beer was 2500, which is more than anyone should pay for a bottle. Le temps d’aimer Bar/Club Zone 4 Officially, this is my favorite club in Abidjan. This place can easily transform your night, allow me to present an example; After a low key couple of hours at Jardyland and finding Bao basically dead, my group was ready to call it an early night at 11pm. We heard a few friends were going to Le temps d’aimer and we reluctantly went, think we had nothing to lose. Before we even had two feet in the door we we smiling ear to ear and immediately pulled into the atmosphere. If you liked VIP, you’ll love this place even more. A friendly, young 20s crowd invites you to dance with them. Locals and expats alike laugh and dance together to primarily American music before the night winds down to the classic Ivorian club songs (all your favorites). On a personal note we ran into some friends of freidns who own some sort of company in Abidjan and, upon hearing it was my last night in Abidjan, decided to pick up the tab for our whole group. Drinks were well mixed and sexy dancing definitely ensued. We didn’t even realize it had come to 4AM when we decided we should probably call it a night (5 hours after we were about to give up, I might add). We went across the street to get street shwarama and used it as our safety net for tomorrow’s hangover. I love this place. But I do have to say, with a heavy heart, that you have to be prepared for cigarette smoke. Everyone inside is smoking and your clothes will reek of it, and your hair will smell for about the whole of the next day. Otherwise, this place is THE place in Abidjan. Jardyland Bar/Club Gobelé After Bao Café, Jardyland is the main expat hangout with no Ivoirians in sight. We went off a recommendation since Friday nights are Jazz nights (call ahead to verify because they don’t do them every week). But on normal nights Jardyland has live music and a very quiet crowd. By 10PM people are clearing out. An older crowd as well, but very international and friendly nonetheless. Fridays are also Fish and Chips night. This is a great place to start your night if you’re looking for a tranquil spot to talk with your friends before you head out for the night. Price: 10,000 for two plates of fish and chips, and a couple rounds of beer