Which area for your evening
| Mood | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Beach bars until late | Nungwi (most choice), then Kendwa |
| Big monthly party | Kendwa Rocks, full moon |
| Sunset drink | Stone Town (rooftops) or a dhow cruise |
| Dinner and a calm vibe | Stone Town, Forodhani |
| Beach and small parties | Paje |
Nungwi and Kendwa: the beaches that go out
This is the heart of the island's nightlife. In Nungwi, beach bars line up as shacks (Mellow Yellow and others named by guides), and in Kendwa there is Sunset Kendwa and above all Kendwa Rocks, known for its grills, cocktails and Saturday music. The big event is the full-moon party, once a month at Kendwa Rocks, until dawn: see the Full Moon Party. Book your room early for those dates. To sleep near the bars: Nungwi and Kendwa guide.
Stone Town: sunset, night market, hotel bars
The town is more about dining than clubbing. People have a sunset drink on the seafront (6 Degrees South is a rooftop bar-grill in Shangani, popular for sundowners) then dine at the Forodhani night market. Mercury's opens in the morning and stays open until midnight. Many places do not serve alcohol: read alcohol in Zanzibar.
Paje: more authentic, less wild
On the east coast, Paje has calmer evenings, with for example Paje by Night (a beach bar with local DJs and regular parties, according to one guide). See Paje and Jambiani.
Getting home safely
- Zanzibar is generally safe, but avoid walking alone at night and stay in lit areas.
- To get back, book a hotel taxi rather than walking along the beach; see scams and safety.
- Dress: casual, but cover up in town, which stays conservative.
For an easy first evening
A sunset dhow cruise is one of the easiest evening outings to book, with drinks on board depending on the offer: see the dhow cruise. To sleep in Nungwi, see where to stay in Zanzibar.
