Inside Kenya’s top bars: beaches, rooftops, and more

---

---

---

At a glance

---

• Kenya’s bar scene rivals its safaris with rooftop lounges and beachfront dive bars.
• Nairobi leads with craft breweries, luxe lounges, and eclectic nightlife in Westlands and Karen.
• Coastal gems like Lamu and Diani blend barefoot luxury with bold, local cocktail menus.

---

---

Kenya’s nightlife scene is no longer a quiet afterthought to its famed safaris and wildlife adventures.

In recent years, the country’s hospitality sector has diversified beyond the game parks and luxury lodges, developing a vibrant bar culture that’s winning over both locals and globetrotters.

From scenic rooftop lounges in Nairobi to beachfront dive bars in Diani and historic watering holes in Lamu, Kenya now boasts a curated mix of nightlife destinations for every kind of traveler. 

This East African nation offers far more than sundowners on safari. Nairobi’s urban sprawl pulses with inventive cocktail menus, world-class microbreweries, and high-energy music venues, many found in the city’s upscale Westlands and Karen neighborhoods.

Mombasa’s coastal allure, meanwhile, pairs sunset views with single malts and traditional dhow cruises. On the tranquil island of Lamu, the bar scene leans nostalgic, with old-school elegance and barefoot luxury creating a distinct, timeless charm.

As Kenya’s tourism sector modernizes and diversifies, a new generation of bars and lounges is blending local flair with global sophistication.

Some venues lean into classic colonial-era nostalgia with leather armchairs and vintage whisky menus, while others take cues from California’s craft beer revolution or the edgy multiculturalism of London’s underground club scene.

Together, they form a bar landscape that reflects Kenya’s global ambitions and local creativity. 

Whether you’re after champagne cocktails in a design-forward hotel lounge, house-brewed lagers crafted under German purity laws, or spiked ice cream concoctions at a seafood grill, Kenya has a bar for that.

Here’s a guide to 10 of the best bars in Kenya — a cross-country crawl from Nairobi to the slopes of Mount Kenya, and the sandy beaches of Mombasa to the serene waters of Lamu.

Zebar, Nanyuki 

Equator-side cocktails with mountain views at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club 

Straddling the equator and brimming with Old Hollywood charm, Zebar is one of Kenya’s most iconic bars.

Founded in 1959 by actor William Holden, this stylish lounge at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club offers an unmatched experience — where guests sip signature cocktails with one foot in each hemisphere.

Inside, zebra-print fabrics and equine artwork nod to Kenya’s wildlife, while outside, Mount Kenya looms in snow-capped majesty. 

Order the house-favorite Safari Cocktail, a refreshing blend of vodka, pineapple, and mint — the perfect companion to panoramic terrace views.

Tamarind Clifftop Terrace, Mombasa 

Classic seafood and single malts with panoramic Indian Ocean views 

Overlooking Mombasa Creek and the city’s historic Old Town, Tamarind Clifftop Terrace is a coastal institution that combines fine dining with elegant drinking.

The bar’s standout offerings include premium Scotch whiskies like Talisker, Cragganmore, and Glenkinchie — often incorporated into signature dishes such as whisky-sautéed Kenya quail and Amarula crème brûlée. 

The homegrown cocktails are bold and inventive. Try the infamous Mamba Venom — a potent fusion of tequila, Tabasco, and sambuca — before heading out on a traditional dhow sundowner cruise.

The Champagne Bar, Nairobi 

Upscale bubbles and skyline views at Sankara Hotel 

Perched on the seventh floor of Nairobi’s Sankara Hotel in Westlands, The Champagne Bar exudes refined luxury. Designed with hand-carved palm wood and plush sofa seating, it’s a magnet for oenophiles and lovers of bubbly.

Guests can enjoy nightly Champagne Rituals at 6 p.m. or customize their drinks with help from expert mixologists. 

For a seamless evening, head upstairs after the last call to the rooftop Sarabi Pool Bar — open an hour longer and just as glamorous.

Forty Thieves, Diani Beach 

Legendary beachfront dive bar with live music and cold beer 

Diani Beach’s beloved Forty Thieves is as much a lifestyle as it is a bar. Since the 1970s, it has welcomed sunseekers, surfers, and night owls with its barefoot charm and infectious energy.

Daytime is for sipping cold Tuskers on the deck; by night, the venue turns electric with live bands and international DJs. 

Expect a relaxed, sand-between-your-toes vibe, tiki cocktails, and event-packed weekends — including beach rugby tournaments and music festivals.

Peponi Bar, Lamu 

Timeless elegance and barefoot luxury on the Swahili coast

The Peponi Hotel’s bar is a Lamu legend — a gathering spot for deep-sea fishermen, safari veterans, and travelers seeking quiet sophistication. 

With its waterfront terrace, house cocktails like the Old Pal (whisky, vermouth, Campari), and view of passing dhows, it’s a place for reading, dreaming, and unplugging.

A barefoot stroll down Shela Beach with a drink in hand is a rite of passage here.

Sierra Brewery, Nairobi 

German-style craft beer meets Nairobi’s upscale gastropub culture 

As East Africa’s first microbrewery, Sierra Brewery brings high standards to Kenya’s craft beer movement.

Inspired by the founder’s brewing education in California, Sierra adheres to traditional German purity laws — crafting beers with just hops, yeast, malt, and water. 

Located in Nairobi’s Yaya Centre, its Brasserie gastropub pairs their house stout, blonde, amber, and lager with elevated fare and premium spirits from around the globe.

The Alchemist, Nairobi 

Nairobi’s eclectic hotspot for cocktails, art, and open-air nightlife 

More than a bar, The Alchemist is Nairobi’s creative playground. Set in Westlands, this outdoor venue brings together a multicultural mix of food trucks, art collectives, DJs, and small businesses. 

A converted London double-decker bus serves as an art space, while local favorite Mama Rocks dishes up Afro-Burgers on-site.

Order a Campari Negroni, sink into a blue sofa, and enjoy the best people-watching in town.

Hemingways Bar, Nairobi 

Old-world charm and world-class wines in a colonial-inspired setting 

With leather armchairs, black-and-white portraits, and one of the finest wine cellars in Nairobi, Hemingways Bar offers timeless sophistication.

Located within the upscale Hemingways Hotel, it channels the elegance of colonial clubs — minus the exclusivity. 

Sip a Mojito in honor of the bar’s namesake or enjoy a wine-paired chef’s table experience in the cellar.

Champagne & Fishbowls, Nairobi 

Whimsical cocktails and marine-themed drinks in the capital’s west side 

This intimate circular bar beside Seven Seafood & Grill lives up to its playful name.

From martinis and upscale champagnes to indulgent ice-cream cocktails, the menu surprises and delights. 

Try the Cookies ‘n’ Cream (Baileys + mint liqueur) or the sea-themed Piranha and Seven’s Tsunami.

Locally made vanilla bean ice cream is the star ingredient — a sweet twist on cocktail culture.

Choice’s Pub, Nairobi 

A laid-back sports bar with music, pool tables, and Kenyan vibes 

Located near Nairobi’s National Stadium, Choice’s Pub is the city’s go-to for casual drinks, live music, and English Premier League matches.

Mondays are mellow, Thursdays feature live bands, and weekends crank up the volume with DJ sets. 

Come for the soul music, stay for the beer, and make friends over a game of pool or a shared love for F1 racing.