Top six Africa and Middle East bars to visit in 2016
Long undervalued, the bar scene across the Middle East & Africa is breaking out from its international hotel constraints and powering forward with local tastes at the fore, writes Ayushi Ramaiya.
Africa may be behind more established cocktail markets, but there’s a bounty of bars taking confident strides in innovationLong gone are the days of limited drinking options across Africa and the Middle East. Big cities were once cocktail followers but are now branching out and forging their own paths with a proudly individual character.
The bar scene has collectively pushed to the next level, combining local flavours with stunning settings.
For the first time, The Spirits Business has sought out the best Bars to Watch across Africa and the Middle East, and discovered a selection of venues over five countries, all rich in innovation and leading their respective cities.
Click through the following pages to discover our pick of the top six Africa and Middle East bars to visit in 2016, as well as our Africa and Middle East Bar to Watch 2016. While these bars are not necessarily new, they look set to offer exciting things for discerning barflies in the year ahead.
Champagne and Fishbowls at the Seven – Nairobi, Kenya
Walk into this bar and any preconceived bias against the country’s drinking scene will be turned on its head. One of Nairobi’s premier concept bars, Champagne and Fishbowls at the Seven restaurant is an upbeat, high-end and charmingly unique bar offering a drink and dine experience like no other. Officially endorsed by Veuve Clicquot as East Africa’s first Champagne bar, Champagne and Fishbowls goes beyond the bubbles and offers an unusual cocktail menu – think Cookies’n’Cream or Strawberry Shortcake at Seven. The eponymous fishbowls are present too – but think elegant celebration and sharing happiness rather than over-imbibing.
News Café – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Nestled in the quiet, upmarket streets of Dar es Salaam, News Café Tanzania is a South African franchise which opened in February last year. With “it’s all about the vibe” as its motto, this bar is renowned for its descriptive cocktail menu unique to Tanzania. From Psycho Jack, 7 Deadly Sins, Faithful Beach and Desperate Housewives, the menu adds an edge and style to drinking. Its uniquely shaped glassware more than matches international standards: think spherical, twists and varicose glasses that are a delight to hold. Express services are a News Café’s specialty – its bartender holds a world record for creating 348 cocktails in day. His preparation time has been cut to just 30-40 seconds, with the total serving time three-to-four minutes for all cocktails.
Buena Vista – Cape Town, South Africa
Located on the popular Long Street in Cape Town alongside several other ethnic bars, Victorian style buildings and bookstores, the Cuban-inspired Buena Vista Social Club has become renowned for its rustic yet chic charm and its elaborate, affordable cocktail menu. Signature serves combine international brands with local flavours: blended creamy liqueurs, chillies and pulps. An exciting tapas menu features chilli poppers with cream cheese, lemony calamari and grilled chicken, all served in generous portions. It’s become a must-visit for younger drinkers and groups – and its star is in the ascendant with the addition of weekly salsa dance classes and live Latin music.
Nasimi Beach – Dubai, UAE
Nasimi Beach is set to become the spot to relax while sipping cocktails, right on a white sand beach in Dubai. Whether you are here for an evening sundowner, to relax with a partner, or party by the sea, the bar, located at The Atlantis The Palm, offers a relaxing and upbeat ambience for a diverse crowd. The cocktail menu might be limited, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality. Its fresh fruit-based serves are unrivalled in the region with the melon and vodka Nasimi Signature and the 5-Spirit Bullfrog just two essentials. But it’s the combination of the cocktail menu with the location, and the line-up of international DJs, that make this bar not to be missed. Expect the bar to go stellar with cocktail and music lovers alike as the Nasimi Sessions make a return for the new season.
Ray’s Bar – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Perched high on the 62nd floor at Etihad Towers, Ray’s Bar offers the finest combination of a stylish sky bar, up-to-the-minute tunes and chic cocktails all in one place. Favoured by the jet set for its elegant ambience and breathtaking views at night, the bar has become renowned amongst international visitors and affluent residents alike. The best time to head to Ray’s is a few minutes before sunset. Guests can sip sundowners and enjoy the transformation “from dusk to DJ”. In addition to its in-house cocktails, the bartending team delight in conjuring up bespoke drinks for guests, all paired with an extensive Asian tapas menu – the ideal complement.
Africa and Middle East Bar to Watch 2016: High Spirits Lounge Bar – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Breaking through held preconceptions of the drinking scene in East Africa, High Spirits is a modern, super spacious and eclectic rooftop bar in the commercial heart of Dar es Salaam. It opened in 2013, but is now receiving deserved international acclaim for its signature cocktail menu and its stunning setting – think views of the harbour, the Indian Ocean and the city’s ever-growing skyline.
To meet and beat international standards, High Spirit has a team of three experienced bartenders from India and South Africa, and 20 waiting staff. The menu has been carefully designed with both local and expat visitors in mind. The Dar crowd loves the classics, with Martinis and Long Islands true to their roots yet thoughtfully garnished to impress. The team also offers customised “infused cocktails”, such as Mojitos with mango, cucumber, coconut or curry leaves as bespoke specialties for group visits and private events.
The management is poised to launch Akira, another “bar to watch”, in an upmarket area of Dar es Salaam, set to cement the city’s status as a cocktail hub.
