Let your hair down, feel the music, grab a drink and let the Zanzibar nightlife take you on one of the most epic evenings of your life! So, bookmark this blog, book your ticket and let’s get the fun started.
See also: Where to Stay in Zanzibar
Zanzibar nightlife
The truth is that Zanzibar bars aren’t like the ones you may be more familiar with back home. You see, given its British colonial influences and Muslim culture, most of Zanzibar nightlife centres on the sundowner tradition. You don’t have to wait for night to strike before the fun begins.
The culture is very much as soon as the sun begins to descend, the lights are up, the music is up and so are your spirits! You will surprisingly notice that things tend to quiet down a little after midnight, which makes sense since sundowners start pretty early. That being said, don’t let that deter you from visiting this incredible island as there is still a terrific scene for dancing and drinks.
Stone Town, the island’s urban center, offers the most opportunity for a night on the town. Nungwi, at the northern tip, and Jambiani and Paje, on the eastern coast, also have popular bars and beach clubs.
Here are some of the constant favorites among tourists and locals alike:
Stone Town nightlife
Some of the most vibrant Zanzibar nightlife can be found in Stone Town! This is definitely one of the go-to spots to have a few drinks, take in the views and let loose after a long day.
See also: The Best Markets in Stone Town, Zanzibar
6 Degrees South
This café on Shanghai Street gets high marks for its happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weeknights, and Friday nights with live Afro Jazz and themed disco. This way you get cheaper drinks and some of the best entertainment. What more could you ask for?
Address: Plot 60, Waterfront, Shangani St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Website
Dharma Lounge
Located near the State University of Zanzibar, the Dharma Lounge is a natural for students and the younger international crowd who are looking for a modern club where they can boogie into the wee hours of the morning on a large dance floor. Give the youth a run for their money and show them how its done!
Address: Mkunazini St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Garage Club
Get ready for some dancing at this eclectic (and air-conditioned!) disco with house, hip-hop, reggae, and Afro-European pop; the club rocks until sun-up on weekend nights, making it the most popular disco in Stone Town. Look for the black and white zebra striped walls across the street from the Starehe Club.
Address: Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Kendwa Rocks
On those Saturdays that fall during, or near, the full moon, Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel hosts its famous Full Moon Party, right on the white-sand beach, for music and dancing under the stars. The rest of the month, partiers can dance the night away Monday through Saturday at the hotel’s lounge bar, The Rocks.
Address: Kendwa, Tanzania
Website
Starehe Club
This chill nightclub is very popular with the Zanzibaris, making it a great place for visitors who want to meet and chat with locals. Quiet ambiance and a great location on the balcony overlooking the bay make the Starehe club the place for a tranquil evening on the town.
Address: Shangani St, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Sweet Easy
Plenty of seating, a pool table, good food, and a well stocked bar make this restaurant and lounge a popular evening hangout for visitors and locals alike. The Sweet Easy reportedly has the best beer selection in town, with a wide range of choices from around the world.
Forodhani Gardens
If you’re looking for fun after dark, but want to avoid the usual clubs and pubs, try heading down to Forodhani Gardens. The street market comes alive at night with performers, food stalls, and vendors. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket and come early to find a great spot on the grass. A lively scene for people watching, this seafront park is the place to be for visitors and locals alike. When you spend an evening at Fordhani Gardens, you really get a feel for the local community.
Address: Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Nungwi nightlife
Nungwi is packed with exciting nightlife, make sure to check out the below spots.
Related read: Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Stunning Nungwi in Zanzibar
Gerry’s Bar
On the beach, Gerry’s gets high marks for its friendly staff and laidback atmosphere. Though a bit further down the beach than other Nungwi beach bars, visitors say it’s well worth the hike. Called an “excellent place to chill” by one TripAdvisor fan, Gerry’s enjoys a perfect spot right on the water in Nungwi Beach. Be sure to arrive early to catch the sunset.
Address: Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tansania
Website
Cholo’s Disco Bar
Right on the sand, Cholo’s is party-central on Nungwi Beach, attracting a more adult crowd of 30-somethings for drinking and dancing. For great food, a fun atmosphere, good drinks, music, and crashing waves in the background, head for Cholo’s; past visitors say you’re in for a very fun evening.
Address: Cholos beach Nungwi TZ, 09255, Tanzania
Website
Paje nightlife
Paje by Night
The beach bar at the Paje by Night hotel is a fun place for tourists to hang out, and it holds regular theme parties for the bold, such as its Glow in the Dark and Bubble Bath Jacuzzi parties. Offering plenty of dancing and cold beer, this is a “come as you are” kind of bar, perfect for after a day on the beach or kite surfing.
Address: Paje by Night Street Paje TZ, 0000, Tansania
Website
Jambiani nightlife
Red Monkey Beach Lodge
Usually a quiet bar on the beach at Jambiani, the Red Monkey Beach Lodge hosts a weekly Life Music Jam Session every Sunday, that is a huge hit for locals and visitors alike. It starts with a BBQ and a reservation is essential.
From casual beach parties to discos, and performing arts to people watching, Zanzibar has an abundance of evening entertainment options for everyone.
Address: Jambiani, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Website
The Star Hotel
This local hotspot has all of the things you would need for the perfect night out. This spit features an impressive bar, a large, shared lounge area and a gorgeous garden. There is also evening entertainment to get you dancing the night away!
Apart from the great Zanzibar nightlife…
Now that your evening plans are sorted, look forward to an action-packed quad tour through remote African villages and explore the beautiful landscape.
Or why not look into planning a Zanzibar spice island sailing adventure to explore the islands during the day, go parasailing, join a guided jet ski tour or go all out and book a Zanzibar all day excursion tour.
You can also head to Mafia Island in Tanzania, it’s just a 30-minute flight south of Zanzibar. Also, check out the other day trips from Zanzibar.
