The colorful history of this grand metropolitan city details the location of the most popular speakeasies, where notable men of Nigeria’s past spent their leisure, in and around Yaba and Surulere – Mainland Lagos. Today, most of these golden-age ‘joints’ have been relocated or shutdown altogether, but the mainland, rich in emblems of Lagos’ yore, is hardly left bare of luxurious, contemporary clubs, doubling as some of the most exquisite restaurants and cafés by day…
Haven Lounge
140 Sagamu-Ikorodu Road, Ikorodu, Lagos
In Ikorodu, a district many consider a world away from the Lagos popular culture, we discover Haven Lounge, a destination many consider a diamond in the rough. Still a relatively new establishment, all visible elements already suggests that this lounge has a firm grasp on high standards, an appropriate attention to style, quality, and the ultimate goal of loud, liquid fun.
Ikorodu is an emerging municipal away from Central Lagos. Residential properties are springing up by the hundreds; some commerce is slowly shifting toward this formerly lonely location. Still, glamorous activity is hard to come by in these parts, the trendier residents of this equally old and new town, are forced to make the journey to a more forward Ikeja – or to the capital of Lagos entertainment, Victoria Island – in search of succor.
Yet, Haven Lounge does its best to soothe the growing need for local options for nighttime entertainment, even daring to compete for superiority with these seemingly more fashion-forward industry leaders. Its physical façade is nothing particularly impressive, but inside this brave new lounge are ample attractions. The décor is an impeccably contemporary finish of an intricate red, gold and black wall design, accented with quilt-upholstered leather settees and glass tables.
With a visibly colossal floor room, the venue claims a capacity of a thousand guests, offering the potential crowd varied options for engagement: an elegantly setup VIP lounge; walled-off areas aptly tagged VVIP rooms, apparently earmarked for private parties – the opportunities almost seem limitless. These strikingly white-paneled rooms are appropriately soundproofed too.
From the main floor of the lounge, an outdoor bamboo bar can be clearly spotted, designed to resemble an opulent house patio, clearly the aim is to offer a more laidback, outdoorsy form of relaxation away from the often heady, crowded dance floor. The only downside? The outdoor arrangement is missing a pool. It almost goes unnoticed though…just so.
Like most clubs, Haven Lounge hosts an interesting variety of themed nights. For starters, the karaoke floor is open to wannabe crooners every night. ‘Ladies Nite,’ an exclusive party made free for prospective female attendees – fast becoming a cliché addition to any club’s itinerary – is hosted at the Lounge every Wednesday. Sunday nights are for the Sunday Parties, Saturday nights are for special pole dancing shows, and Friday nights – a club lover’s favorite night of the week – is tagged Ballerz Night.
With these diverse possibilities splayed on a platter, ‘the night of our lives’ is a silent promise to all who walk through the doors of Haven Lounge. And, one thing is certain at first view, there is no end to the presence of what is luxurious, what is upscale, and what is exhilarating… at least not in any other club scene close by.
Club Vegas
1, Sheraton-Opebi Link Road, Omole Phase 1, Ikeja, Lagos
For a scene unpretentious in its delivery of one thing: intoxicating fun, Club Vegas attempts to channel the spirit of the world renowned city of sin it is named after. Past the gated fence of the club lot, ‘Club Vegas’ in a big bright orange and yellow sign is easily the first thing that meets the eye, then the loud thump of music.
A big hit among the mainland inhabitants, the two floored dance haven welcomes crowds of party-lovers who flock in from right across Ikeja in which it is located and just beyond it. Vegas is a true pillar of Ikeja and mainland Lagos partying. Thriving with the Naija flare and a bohemian style, hedonists rejoice coming here when they find a wonderland of DJs, pole dancing and shisha lounges amidst the freedom to bop out to some of the hottest Afro pop tunes in Lagos right here.
Club Uno
19B, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos
Patrons of Club Uno would say it has a unique sparkle that even night owls can’t resist, and they would be so right. This exotic location provides no room for dull moments and no one is left out. A place where late nights thrive and live music pumps out each day, catch everything from A-list DJs to rising band talent. Guests can hit the dance floor, take a drink, network, and enjoy the vibes, or just the upbeat atmosphere. Club Uno is the place to go for edgy nights out at one of Ikeja’s most energetic clubs.
The Place Nightclub
45, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos
Relaxed ambience, impressive service, The Place is most famous as a go-to restaurant for great food at somewhat affordable prices. But, this well-grounded outfit is really an all-in-one package. Set in several locations across town, it is quickly evolving into an expertly-branded franchise offering hospitality to different crowds. After five pm every day, it opens its lounge to patrons, a spot ideal for the busy executive to relax, unwind… and avoid that notorious traffic. And on Fridays, the bar/lounge is transformed into a major night club with music from high profile DJs and performers.
Rhapsody’s
Ikeja City Mall. 9 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos
Cosmopolitan, upscale, relaxing: the universal go-to words for all things entertainment; a destination that offers a truly diverse nightlife experience not limited to loud music and hot drinks. Rhapsody’s is just this destination. From the perfectly paired wine and dine experience, to the beautiful interior design, to its strategic location within Ikeja City Mall, Rhapsody’s offers everything you can get at a conventional lounge or club, and then some much more compelling extras.
From their flavorsome sea food meal to their classic fish and chips dish and to their exquisite beef and chicken Espatada, the food menu is only surpassed by the excellent patron service. And, the variety is something to be congratulated…as well as their perfectly tender prawn suya starters! Their signature dishes are designed and created by expert Chefs – rare for a night club. Elegant decor and a collection of fine winery form part of the perfect backdrop. Rhapsody’s offers a natural ambiance: lively yet effortless, simple yet diverse, stylish yet relaxed; ideal for the more conservative clubber.
House of Haze
25 Ibikunle Street, Yaba, Lagos
Arguably one of the best dance clubs in the Yaba area, House of Haze offers nightlife enthusiasts the best of everything. Formerly christened Road runners club, with redefinition comes a new identity for this house which is the ultimate destination for dancers, clubbers, music and all-round party lovers, those who define home as a place where snazzy drinks are readily available and booming music is all that can be heard. The building’s contemporary gray façade is beautiful enough with its brick-wall details and overhanging layers, and incites enough curiosity with its lack of front windows, but it is difficult to define the palpable energy and excitement that begins right at the entrance into the lounge, and just never ends.
With the stellar, vibrant atmosphere, one rule is obvious, “Go mad or go home.” ‘Mad,’ in this context, representing an uncontrollable compulsion to drop all your worries and shake all parts of your body, ably abetted by DJ DannyKoy – the house DJ. As for live performances, storming through stunning sets and electrifying the room, this is the perfect environment for a dose of dancing way on into the night…and morning. An unapologetic, uninhibited night club, House of Haze offers just that, hazy fun, epitomizing the concept of letting loose. The establishment also offers support for private partying, providing a beautifully energetic scenery, combined with amazing service and all your conventional Lagos party mixes and chops.
Lounge 38
38 Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos
The entire front wall is glass, but that’s the second striking thing about Lounge 38. The first thing is the name, which rather sounds like something out of a TV mystery. The building is the 38th house on a widely popular street. Ergo, ‘Lounge 38.’ From this street, the patrons, their movements, the general activity within this modern two story building, is visible to commuters. That is part of the lure. The clear glass view offers a glimpse, shows just enough, breeds curiosity.
De Chill’s Hind restaurant makes up the entire ground floor, offering a great menu, contemporary serving style and an aesthetically-pleasing atmosphere. Good food, great seating and dining options, an extensive wine list, and as you navigate up the inconspicuously-placed stairway to Lounge 38, the muffled thumping, the vibrations felt at each step is almost exhilarating. The upstairs lounge is white and green string flood lights geometrically arranged across Remy Martin-branded black glossy walls of a surprisingly small floor area. It is a cozy arrangement of comfortable white and black booth sofas and high bar chairs. The music is pop and its afro, techno, urban. The drinks? Signature mixes and classic labels. The 38 mojito cocktail is especially worth returning to this classy scene for.
Lounge 38 by De Chill’s Hind Restaurant is managed by a team of culinary craftsmen visibly trained to masterfully concoct tongue-tripping menus. Think ‘Beef Brocheole,’ or ‘Coconut Chicken Curry,’ it will be impossible to miss that only top-quality ingredients are used in everything from the abundant Salads, classic African Dishes, to the memorable desserts. The lounge is a revelation for the discerning dance-loving foodies, accommodating up to 20 guests with an invigorating menu and wine list. Lounge 38 is open 24 hours a day for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and of course, Night Life.
Bheerhugz Café
Leisure Mall. Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos.
Ikeja City Mall. 9 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Apapa Mall. 13 Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos.
A café, a bar, a lounge, a club and a restaurant, and a master of all of it. Want a wonderful dining experience? Go to Bheerhugz. A stylish lounge for personal, corporate, or social retreats? Go to Bheerhugz. A laidback club scene with unique activities every night? Bheerhugz! And, a different outlet is found in three popular mainland areas of Lagos – Surulere, Ikeja, and Apapa – delivering the same diverse service at top notch quality. This refreshing one-stop location is an exquisite spot for a night out.
Its value is in the warm friendliness of its attendants. The dim and cozy setting is inherently relaxing, exuding a feel-at-home quality, only made better by meals prepared by some of the finest chefs in the Lagos hospitality industry. The Redhugz menu – as it is called – features crowd favorites like chicken, fish and asun, made new by their trademark Bheerhugz presentation. Then, there’s the ‘Pork chops,’ a Bheerhugz special. Each outlet location is strategic in offering a cool terrace atmosphere with a lovely view of the beautiful city of Lagos from different angles.
However, the lounge comes alive in the night, whether with the presence of an enthralling live band, themed parties, celebrity DJ nights, or the amateur karaoke shows, complemented by tasteful cocktail mixes with or sans alcohol.
Club Rumors
15A Oduduwa Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
1st Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.
Star-studded ambience, au courant glow and glass décor, we discover a place in the heart of the serene Ikeja GRA. Nimbly hidden away from the crowds of Ikeja central, and the fast-paced commercial world of the Maryland district, is an exclusive spot, a contemporary Lagos nightclub called Rumors – the name, giving off more than just a wisp of mystery.
The trendy venue has an A-list owner, ensuring a predominantly big-named guest list. Iconic African pop star, Tubaba, and his associates, have set up an enticing menu of time-honored liquor and cocktails, and carefully curated ace DJs, to transcend the spacey box that is the inside of Club Rumors into an Afro-pop-hazed heaven. Still, with special nights come energetic performances by live bands, established and emerging acts, to an audience of hyped music and dance enthusiasts.
From the finely tarred Oduduwa road on which we find this rave hangout, it is hard to spot signs of its presence, least of all when the sun is up. The edifice is a scarlet box-building with white embossed concrete crisscrossed across its surface, and its main entrance is in fact a wooden door – two diamond shaped mirrors attached – located slightly behind a larger building which looks nothing more than a commonplace suburban residential building. The inconspicuous entryway is paved on all sides by carpets of rich green grass – synthetic yet attractive still. Everything seems natural from the outside, serene even.
Inside the club though, you are transported into a world of matte-white walls complemented with sections of the bright red that seems to be Rumors trademark color, neon lights, railings and stairs…lots of stairs, and they seem to lead everywhere and nowhere at all. A grand stairway is the focal point of the space, the cynosure of all eyes, right from entry. The extensive libations bar is laid out with design finesse and famously well-stocked, positioned under the expansive landing of the grand stairs. ‘Well-stocked’ meaning ‘all the classic tipples will be found here’: the big name liquor brands, dessert bubblies…
Perhaps the most sought after nocturnal hangout on Lagos mainland, you are as likely to walk past icons of Nigerian politics, music, and movies at Rumors, as an old school mate. And, you will find Club Rumors in Festac town too – a pop franchise situated in another of Lagos’ pioneer social hubs.
La Mango
3A Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos
At this point, it is safe to declare Ikeja GRA the honorary center of Lagos Mainland nightlife. Why? By sheer amount of reputable nightspots that can be found within its serene vicinity. One of many classy lounges located in this upscale region, La Mango finds a way to stand out still. One of Lagos Mainland’s mega restaurant lounges, La Mango offers dining, drink and dance, tailored for easy consumption, high satisfaction and calming fun. The lounge provides a modern, classy and stylishly decorated venue with strategically placed TV screens, in an area designated as the Sports Bar, to offer football viewing as added entertainment options. At the bar, you will find beer and spirits, and cocktails consistently made by expert mixologists.
Its serene, laidback setting makes it possible to interchangeably hold a conversation and vibe out to pleasant music. Seating comes in four different styles, allowing patrons the power of discretion: elegant bar stools and high chairs, or cushioned lounge seating; inside restaurant seating, breathtaking poolside, love garden, or roof top terrace seating. Then, there is the VIP Glass Lounge. Revel in a bit of late night luxury with great music, regardless of seating choice.
Nevertheless, the restaurant section offers an exquisite menu of Nigerian, Continental and Oriental dishes, featuring regional specialties like peppered chicken, nkwobi, asun and suya. And, in everything, professionalism seems the watchword. For special events, awaken your inner performer at the karaoke bar on Wednesday’s Ladies Nite and on Saturdays too, or have a few laughs with D don of Rainbow FM on Thursday’s Comedy Nite. When is it party time? Well, Friday Club Nite, of course! Sunday’s, on the other hand, are for the Old School jammers.
R Café
29 Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos
Presiding over the holiest of matrimonies between food and drink, R Café, formerly named Rodizzio, is a movement taking Ikeja GRA and Lagos by storm. Here is an all-rounder café, bar, and lounge, wholly inspired by the Brazilians’ love of meat and sense of fun, the Europeans’ healthy living lifestyle, the Americans’ demand for more, and of course, the Lagos-Naija flavor. R Café is this fusion of cultures – a cosmopolitan intensity filled with unlimited barbeque, consistently grilled to Lagos-approved perfection, and served the Brazilian way! Salads, side dishes, dressing, sauces et al. Food is certainly an integral part of nighttime hospitality at R Café, but the cocktails are the holy grail, with unique mixes offered, from the flaming to the frozen on rocks. The myriad of flavors are racked up alongside a live stage performance. Feast on meat, and then, hit the dance floor for a fully satisfying night of your life.
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 tour the Island Division...
The outline of this series was curated by Favour Umanah
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