If there’s one place to find clubbing Nirvana, it’s in the Lagos’ Island area. Home to some of the biggest, most notorious and iconic party scenes in Nigeria – some say Africa – here’s a tour of some amazing nights on the tiles, discover the very best late night bars, cocktail hangouts and DJ clubs in Lagos.
The Island division might be the commercial headquarters of Lagos, but it truly comes to life when the sun goes down. We explore popular nightlife areas, hit live music spots, and dance until dawn. With everything from trendy low-lit lounges and open-air roof-top bars, to high-end, designer-decorated spaces, every area in this region has bars and lounges that stand out in their own right.
Don’t look too hard to find a nice place for a happy hour or late night cocktail. From the many grand hotels with trendy watering holes right in the lobby, everyone has recommendations on places to try, regardless of preferences—live music, haute-mixology or simply a sports bar to watch the game.
Club Quilox
873 Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos
Let’s begin right with the Prima Donna, shall we? Victoria Island is the island in most Lagos resident’s books, and it caters to an international crowd ready to mix and mingle all day (and night) long. Wander into the Art Deco boutique hotels and swanky luxury high rises where stunning hotel bars run the gamut from historic glitz to poolside loungers, you will find an array of options.
Visit Club Quilox, one of the most popular places to see-and-be-seen throughout Lagos. This relatively new club found on the legendary Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, has a great bar and restaurant, and has maintained very high standards with its impeccable interior of red, gold, and black, exquisite VIP and VVIP lounges. The club can house more than 300 people, and it truly shines with the mix of a hyped crowd and good music as supplied by DJ Consequence and DJ Redwoods.
At Quilox, there is always something to do: Monday to Wednesdays are tagged ‘Night Shift,’ Thursday Night is ‘Workman’s Compensation,’ Friday Night is ‘Starry Night,’ Saturday Night is ‘Thriller Night,’ and Sunday Night is ‘Sunday Nitro.’ Furthermore, every last Sunday of each month, the DJ spins tunes from lunchtime (around 2 pm) till dawn! Quilox is essentially the perfect confluence of Lagos debonair party lovers and the booming bass.
1089 Club and Lounge
1089 Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
Or, try the all-new ultra-modern 1089 Club and Lounge, speculated as the newest and hottest club on the Lagos nightlife scene with two international resident DJs – purveyors of House music, Naija Afro pop, and Old School music. Remodeled from the renowned Auto Lounge, 1089, a prestigious club, caters to an exclusive clientele, attracting a sophisticated VIP crowd. The 1089th lot on Adeola Odeku, just above Casper & Gambini Restaurant, it covets an unforgettable address. Be prepared to dance under the stars in this mesmerizing club with multi-colored fiber-optic lights shining down from high ceilings.
The extensive bar is the centerpiece of the main floor, with strategically placed stools perched, overlooking the counter, offering patrons the best overhead view of skilled mixologists displaying their art from a menu of 30 signature cocktails. Oversized, colorful armchairs and seating areas give the otherwise dark club a dash of color. The entrée menu is great for an after-work stop but also curbs late night hunger pangs. Opening its doors from 5 pm, this snazzy spot is ideal for a happy hour drink, the perfect time to venture upstairs to the rooftop terrace – a great transition spot. Patrons can begin there with an evening drink to ease the mood for a night of dancing. With the champagne flowing, the music pumping, the crowd can do nothing but be hyped all night long.
Privé Lounge
5b Karimu Kotun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
And, on that note, a rooftop terrace which comes complete with cabanas and an exclusive bar is never a bad idea, which is why Privé Lounge makes this brilliant review. A luxurious restaurant, lounge, and bar, Privé certainly embodies its name as a private spot for the Lagos elite and nouveau riche alike. Highlights of this sophisticated wonderland includes the Privé Seafood Pasta – which can stand on its own as a major reason to visit Privé – a luxuriously furnished cigar room; the high-end interior design; and inventive DJs.
Club Pravada
89B Agoro Odiyan Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
For an all-party nightlife spot that leaves little room for anything else, there is Club Pravada, a zippy hangout. With ample dance-floor space, the true mission of this club is no secret. A VIP section and a number of private rooms provide class, an executive setting with unique ambience. The Club offers complimentary champagne cocktails and a myriad of side attractions. Happy Hour starts from 5 pm on Mondays to Wednesdays, Thursdays are ‘Ladies and Cocktails,’ and Friday nights are what Friday nights need to be, turned up with high-profile DJs spinning exciting mixes of hyped local and foreign music. Fun fact: Club Pravada has played host for the 2017 Hennessy Social Media Week after-party among other exclusive events.
COVA Lounge
Mega Plaza Rooftop. 14, Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
What’s dreamier than a beautifully decorated rooftop with white flowing curtains, high ceilings and a spacious terrace? Nothing! Combine that package with awesome music and you’ve accurately described COVA Lounge. Formerly known as Kudeta Lounge, this big-hitter has rebranded into a standout spot for scintillating sound and lights. With a restaurant below which complements the package, patrons can transit from dinner to drinks to dance with ease. And, things are kicked up a notch with live band performances every Sunday, whilst the karaoke stage is open all day every day. A weekly Grill event is more than a casual icing on the cake as nothing is more glorious than the avenue to grease out on succulently barbequed gruel. Yes, we know. Heaven…
Lekki: The peninsula
Lagos’ new first-class city. Over two decades ago, Lekki was a quiet, little-known slum. Now, it is a modern world, still under construction, yet home to some of Lagos’ most valuable real estate. Still, it is the vivid murals, entertainment hubs and growing roster of nighttime hangouts we focus on.
For DJs and dancing until the early hours of the morning, Elysium Night club is the place to be. Grab your mates, a good drink at the bar, and dance away your troubles at this foremost Lekki night scene. Or go for E-BAR, the venue that brings forth an ethereal nightlife of live pop music and professional individuals on the discs. At De Place by Papas, the night philosophy is a simple one: state-of-the-art sound systems, one big dance floor, and one hot DJ on the beat all night – in other words, a great dance scene. Besides good music, De Place is popular for the scenery and the dress-to-kill attitude of every new patron who walks through the doors.
MVP Lounge
Plot 16, Block 46, Bisola Durosinmi Etti Drive, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
An illuminated glass, architectural masterpiece conceived by famous comedian, Ayo ‘AY’ Makun, MVP Lounge truly redefines night life in Lagos. Sitting over 5000 sq. foot (6000 sq.m) and equipped with the finest sound and lighting system, the scene perpetually raises the bar for clubbing experience in Lagos. A modern facility, the building is grand and distinct. Its acronym – Most Valuable Player – portends ‘premium luxury,’ and this is captured in the general set up, design and intricate decoration infused from top to bottom. The adventure begins with the all-round glass façade which reveals to the outside world the wonderland within what seems to surpass the conventional Lagos nightlife.
With the gold or marble (depending on the room) laid flooring, and intricate, polished accents, the MVP atmosphere appears to have a psychological element conceptualized to challenge the patron’s grasp of what is really the ‘outside world,’ of what is real life. Party lovers can expect slip easily into this alternate universe and loose themselves to the DJ’s skilled tempo, with a modern LED version of the 90s disco ball suspended overhead like a big glob of sparkles and glitters.
The self-proclaimed largest lounge in Nigeria, its sheer size makes it easy to accept this claim. It is however the first no-smoking club of its kind. MVP also boasts some unique add-ons: A restaurant, Game Room, VIP gold room, and the VVIP Diamond Room – which comes complete with personal access passes and exclusive attendants. MVP offers exclusive restaurant membership as well as Gold and Diamond membership areas for moguls, celebrities, and anyone who can afford this prestige.
The Bank
10 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
Not a river bank nor a money saving bank, but an upscale bar and night club called ‘the Bank.’ Racking up quite the reputation as one of the fastest rising clubs in Lagos, it features comedy Mondays, ‘Touch me Tease me’ Tuesdays, Karaoke/ Ladies Night on Wednesdays, ‘Unusual’ Friday Parties, Afro Night Saturdays, Special Salsa nights, and hot, loud music, every night! At this particular club, music, drinks, and partying, are the most important elements. With the post-modern furniture, décor, ambience, the Bank’s solid reputation is widely known among the local and expatriate community.
Uptown Stream Bush Bar
20 Langbasa Road, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Ajah, Lagos
A relaxation spot with a unique ambience, Uptown Stream Bush Bar offers quite a thrill, with cool music, mouth-watering dishes, and a variety of drinks. This beautiful nightclub is on the upstairs floor of a story building, and it is a place to party all night with a widely popular in-house DJ whose track list is nothing short of legendary. This equal parts bar and club poses a nice array of assorted drinks and a menu of the classic Naija chop options. Don’t forget to get a taste of the unique Uptown fruit cocktail. Relax, mingle, and sip delicious cocktails at Sea Lounge, while enjoying the calm sea breeze and tasty canapés that cater to a variety of palates and preferences. Take a short sea cruise and enjoy dinner 20 miles away from the coast.
Lounges on Admiralty Road
Another Lekki architectural gem is the reputable Xovar Lounge, with its bespoke outdoor terrace and indoor layout, offering patrons entertainment and the scenery. Sailor’s Lounge is also a lavish venue that unveils a pleasant nightlife experience. A perfect location for a relaxed evening after a hectic work day, the music is only loud enough to be exhilarating, complemented by the breathtaking view of the Lagos Lagoon. The sheer, unadulterated ambience is unique, and a great breather from the loud boom of a typical dance club. Jazz connoisseurs will enjoy the live jazz shows at Bay Lounge. Right beside Sailor’s Lounge, tucked within the swanky Admiralty road, Bay Lounge shares the same panoramic view of the beautiful lagoon. And, there are so many activities to engage in: Al fresco dining, movie nights, and DJ-playlist-induced dancing.
Ikoyi: No Qualifiers Needed
The city that has birthed the definition of Lagos luxury and nobility, Ikoyi is reputably the most amazing place to live in Lagos. This precinct is essentially an island, a prestigious one which embraces simple style, class, and comfort, with a general aura of order and conformity – a universe away from the rest of Lagos. Ikoyi offers upscale living with quality houses and good security. Its top class restaurants, malls, bars, and a rich offering of outdoor activities, have made it a prime location for celebrities, upper-class citizens and a long list of prominent personalities.
This is easily one of the most opulent districts in Lagos, within its confines, you will find secure and luxurious apartments, stunning mansions, and dazzling architectural works that spread across the neighborhood. Recording the highest amount of rainfall in Lagos, even the daily weather is cool and breezy, a contrast to the usual Lagos harsh heat. Hence, if your ideal nightlife entails evening walks, Ikoyi is the place to be. If not, there are a string of nightclubs, restaurants and hangout spots that draw people from all walks of life, these will certainly measure up to your every archetype…
Club 57
57 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
Packed full, upbeat music, equals great experiences, and Club 57 fits the bill. Formerly Bacchus, and located on the central Awolowo Road, this exclusive club boasts continental cuisine and exotic cocktails, with a consistently electric atmosphere. The three-floor upscale nightclub can offer patrons a convenient, spacious environment underneath luminous lights, with VIP tables, and quality service…not to mention, great vibes courtesy DJ Prince.
Avalon Lounge
5 Maitama Sule Street, Ikoyi, Lagos
Conversely, Avalon Lounge is appreciated for its warm, laid-back patron service. The interior façade is simplistic and refined, with faux-brick details and bright orange chairs designed to keep spirits high. Relax, unwind, enjoy flavorful meals prepared by the best of Chefs in the industry, and enjoy quality music from the house DJs and guest live shows, as you sip and dine at Avalon Lounge.
Ember Creek Water Front Lounge
32 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
5B Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos
A lively setting for nocturnals and day lovers alike, here is a unique outdoor location on Lagos’ lagoon. Ember Creek; a bar, a restaurant, and a fashion café on the waterfront of McGregor Creek, Ikoyi. The Creek is set like a resort in the middle of the city, and attracts elite patrons per its location. The beautiful and serene environment is complimentary with the exotic services provided: a bar overlooking a scenic pool, one of the best bars in Lagos, guaranteeing a night to remember. International style cooking, beautiful sound system, fantastic ambience, and full jetty access, are just some of its perks. Engage in a wide option of activities: Thursday Salsa nights, Cocktail nights, a dip in the pool, a trip to the dance floor, fine wining and dining, take the opportunity to network and meet people…all in all, have a wonderful night in this cushy destination hub.
Posh Café
21 Cameron Road, Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos
Aptly branded Posh café is simply posh, a refined backdrop for nighttime leisure and relaxation. Enjoy great barbeque during the weekends, or chill out by the pool any time. Stay inside and have some refreshing fresh fruit cocktail, or smoothie, or your regular vodka shots. Whatever the choice, it will be a memorable one, a memorably breezy night out on Cameron Road. In Ikoyi, it’s easy to have a good time at one of the many clubs and lounges around the city.
Which of these venues have you visited? Is our review of them accurate? Correct us if we're wrong. Tell us more if you can down below. Also, let us know which clubs or lounges we missed out.
Next Sunday, we'll talk about Mixology in Lagos!
The outline of this series was curated by Favour Umanah
