Stone Town Nightlife: Bars & Clubs

Stone Town’s nightlife is a relaxed yet vibrant affair, blending local culture with the island’s history.

Evenings often start at sunset along the waterfront and seep into late-night dancing.

From rooftop lounges to hidden boat-bars, Zanzibar bars and clubs serve everything from fresh seafood and local spiced cocktails to pounding Afrobeat and reggae.

Below are profiles of top and offbeat spots – a mix of Stone Town classics and hidden gems – with their vibe, crowd, music, drinks, hours, and unique features. (Don’t forget to try a classic Dawa cocktail or locally made Konyagi rum drink while you explore!)

6 Degrees South

A crowd-pleasing rooftop bar & grill on the Shangani waterfront, 6 Degrees South is perfect for sundowners.

Its open-air terrace has sweeping ocean views of Stone Town harbor, making it a favorite spot to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

The vibe is casual and friendly – travelers and expats mingle in the lounge chairs at sunset, then dance as the night deepens.

There’s often live Afro-jazz or world music on weekends, plus theme nights like reggae or DJ sets.

Signature cocktails include their famous fruity sundowner drinks (like spiced rum with lime and honey) and locally-inspired mixes.

They also serve a full dinner menu (burgers, fresh fish, curries) if you arrive early.

The bar runs a daily Happy Hour (4–7pm) with discounted beers and cocktails.

6 Degrees South is open daily noon–midnight (some sources say as early as 10am).

Its relaxed, sunset-rooftop vibe makes it a top pick among the best bars in Stone Town.

• Location: Shangani Waterfront, Stone Town

• Hours: About 12:00–24:00 daily (Happy Hour 4–7pm)

• Vibe/Crowd: Lively yet laid-back; a mix of tourists and expats enjoying cocktails on wicker sofas at sunset. The terrace often fills with photo-snapping travelers before dark.

• Music: Afro-jazz live bands on weekends; disco/DJ music on theme nights.

• Signature Drinks: “Sundowner” cocktails (fruity rum punches and mocktails). Local beers and fine wines are also available.

• Highlights: Fantastic sunset panoramic view, open-air terrace.

Mercury’s Bar

Named for Stone Town’s most famous son (Queen’s Freddie Mercury), Mercury’s Bar is a waterside cocktail bar & restaurant right by Shangani Gardens.

Its patio overlooks the ocean, so it’s ideal for sunset drinks by the harbour.

The atmosphere is friendly and laid-back.

Locals and tourists crowd the tables at sunset, sipping Zanzibari spiced rum cocktails or cold beers and listening to the sea breeze.

Owner-owned free Wi-Fi and a TV make it popular for everyone from laptop-working travelers to footie fans watching matches.

Live music (often classic rock or reggae) plays on busy nights, especially on weekends, and they’re known for spinning Queen tracks in tribute.

The bar menu features a huge cocktail selection – try a vodka limo, mix of fresh juices, or their house specials – and Happy Hour deals.

There’s also a full menu of pizzas, curries, seafood, and pastas if you get hungry.

Mercury’s opens early (about 7am) for breakfasts and stays busy until midnight.

It’s one of Stone Town’s most iconic Zanzibar bars.

• Location: Shangani Street, on the beachside near Forodhani (next to the Shangani Gardens).

• Hours: Roughly 7 AM–midnight daily.

• Vibe/Crowd: Beachfront and breezy. Early morning it’s quiet; by afternoon tourists and locals arrive for coffee and curry; by evening couples and groups gather for cocktails and footie. Always a relaxed “come as you are” feel.

• Music: Occasional live bands; often recorded music (Queen, reggae, pop) in background on busy nights.

• Signature Drinks: Creative rum/fruit cocktails and local specialities. They make a popular vodka/ginger-lime drink and serve ice-cold Lion Lager from the tap. Smooth, strong spiced rum mixes are a must-try here.

• Highlights: Legendary sunset view and seaside setting. Being Freddie Mercury’s namesake spot, it’s a cultural staple and a fun “both sides of the bar” tourist photo op.

Garage Club

A beloved late-night dance club in Stone Town, Garage (sometimes called “Garage Club”) is a soundproof indoor disco that stays open until the early hours.

The glittery neon-lit interior is kept cool by AC, which is heaven after Zanzibar’s heat.

The music is an eclectic mix – think house/EDM, Afrobeat, reggae and East African pop – that keeps the crowd dancing well past midnight.

The crowd skews younger: local college students and backpackers usually pack the dance floor on weekends.

Holiday-makers also pop in after other bars close.

Entry is usually free or a small cover charge and drinks (beer, rum and mixers, cocktails) are reasonably priced by island standards.

• Location: Felix Moun Street (near the Clock Tower/Shangani area).

• Hours: Late-night. Typically opens around 10pm and dances on till 4–6am (especially on Fri/Sat).

• Vibe/Crowd: Lively, youthful party scene with an island attitude. Mostly locals and foreign backpackers, dancing shoulder-to-shoulder. Casual dress, lots of smiles and energy.

• Music: DJs spin a mix of house, hip-hop, reggae and Afro-fusion tunes. Occasional live percussion or guest DJ nights pop up too.

• Signature Drinks: Standard club fare: beers and shots. Redbull-vodka and rum coke are common late-night staples.

• Highlights: The disco vibe and all-night dancing, with stone-carved walls and neon lights. Unlike open-air bars, Garage offers guaranteed sound and cooling on hot nights.

Dharma Lounge

Situated near the State University, Dharma Lounge is a trendy nightclub and bar that draws a cosmopolitan crowd.

It’s decked out with colorful lights, wide floor cushions, and comfy booths for lounging between dances.

By early evening it’s a relaxed bar; as night deepens it transforms into a lively party spot.

Dharma’s music is varied – DJs or bands play anything from Afropop and Top 40 to upbeat house or classic throwbacks – so every night has a different flavor.

The club is famous for theme nights and live DJ sets, meaning there’s often a special event (e.g. “80s night” or guest reggae band) that draws bigger crowds.

The crowd here is mostly younger travellers and university students mingling with locals.

People come to chat over cocktails or dance on the spacious dance floor well past midnight.

The bar menu features creative cocktails (themed drinks with island fruits and spices) and mocktails, plus a selection of beers.

Wanderlog notes that Dharma “features a well-stocked bar offering an impressive variety of cocktails and a spacious dance floor with diverse music to keep patrons dancing into the early hours,” and it’s a favorite for vibrant nightlife in Stone Town.

• Location: Mkunazini (Mizingani) Street, in southern Stone Town near the university area.

• Hours: Opens in the evening (around 6–7pm) and goes until about 2am or later on weekends.

• Vibe/Crowd: Modern and energetic. A mix of adventurous travelers, expats, and local youths. The vibe is upbeat – people come ready to dance or chill on large cushions.

• Music: Eclectic DJs and live bands. One night might be reggae or taarab, another night electronic or international pop. They often host themed nights and guest DJs.

• Signature Drinks: Wide array of cocktails – from tropical pina coladas to Swahili-spiced gin drinks. They also do pitchers and mocktails (fresh juices).

• Highlights: Floor cushions and lounge areas for a comfy break, plus a state-of-the-art sound system. Expect a very social, friendly party vibe into the wee hours.

Tatu (Patamu)

Tucked behind the Forodhani Gardens is Tatu, also known as Patamu.

This three-story venue’s name literally means “three” in Swahili – it lives up to that by offering three very different experiences on three floors.

On the ground floor is a bar and casual lounge with a pool table and TVs; the middle floor is a simple pub-style restaurant with local and international dishes; and the third floor is an open rooftop lounge with great ocean views.

Tatu operates all day: breakfast and lunch crowds frequent the lower floors, enjoying pizzas, seafood dishes, and affordable eats.

After dark, though, the rooftop truly comes alive.

When the sun sets the third floor becomes a nightclub, with flashing lights, booming music and crowds of young locals and tourists.

DJ nights and occasional live performances spice up the nightlife here.

Its overall atmosphere is bustling and unpretentious. Moderately priced drinks and menu items make it accessible (the venue’s owner says the pricing is “very reasonable” compared to other spots).

• Location: Forodhani Garden area (off Mizingani Rd).

• Hours: Open 10 AM–1 AM daily, so it covers both restaurant and club crowd.

• Vibe/Crowd: Down-to-earth and mixed. Daytime crowd is families and groups grabbing lunch. Nights draw a younger, party-ready crowd (students and backpackers). Very laid-back feel – it’s basically a neighborhood pub that turns into a club.

• Music: Live local DJs spinning Bongo Flava, reggae, and pop on weekend nights. Some evenings have acoustic nights or guest bands in the lounge.

• Signature Drinks: Cold beers and stone town-sized cocktails (fruit juices with local gin). Because the kitchen stays open late, many order “one-more-beer” well into dinner hour.

• Highlights: The three-floor setup – bar, pub, rooftop – is unique. The rooftop deck’s view of the harbor is especially nice (good for moonlit drinks). Friendly staff and the option to eat before dancing set Tatu apart.

Floating Bar (Dreamer’s Island)

For a truly offbeat night out, head to the Floating Bar (also called Dreamer’s Island).

It’s an actual boat/bar moored just off the Forodhani waterfront, reachable by a short (and free) dinghy ride at dusk.

The boat isn’t permanently tied down, so it floats on the calm ocean – hence the name.

This place has a very laid-back, pirate-chic vibe.

Picture hammocks slung from wooden beams, lantern lights, and a small wooden deck sticking into the water.

Guests can even swim and dive from the boat into the ocean.

Music is low-key reggae and island tunes on a speaker.

The crowd is a mix of adventurous travelers looking for something different and sunset-chasing locals.

Drinks are super cheap – a beer here is notably less expensive than on land – and they serve basic snacks and fresh seafood (grilled fish, calamari).

Many visitors watch an epic sunset from the deck, enjoying the cool sea breeze.

Guests can even stay overnight aboard (a few simple cabins are available, about $65 per night).

• Location: Anchored just off Forodhani Gardens (accessible by boat at sunset).

• Hours: Typically 4 PM–midnight (open mostly at sunset hours). Boats run regularly in the evening from the jetty.

• Vibe/Crowd: Totally relaxed and rustic. People in beachwear; some dive into the sea. Mostly foreign travelers and fearless locals who found it by word-of-mouth. It feels like a beach party floating on the ocean.

• Music: Quiet reggae and acoustic tunes – the ambience is more about the ocean and sunset than pounding club music. Occasionally guests bring a guitar or local DJ might set up.

• Signature Drinks: Fresh coconut juice, local beers, and simple cocktails (rum with fruit juices). They focus more on fresh seafood dishes (grilled fish, octopus) than fancy cocktails.

• Highlights: Jumping off the boat into the warm Indian Ocean, swinging in the hammocks over the water, and watching Stone Town’s skyline from the middle of the bay. It’s literally a floating party spot.

Livingstone’s Zanzibar

Located on Shangani Beach (just outside the old city by the Tropicana hotel area), Livingstone’s bills itself as “the one and only LIVE MUSIC restaurant & cocktail bar of Stone Town”.

It’s an Italian-owned beach lounge that doubles as a lively music venue at night.

By day it’s a pleasant restaurant with ocean-view seating for pizzas, seafood, and Italian dishes.

After dark it turns into a live-music bar.

The walls are open-air, and each evening a band comes on stage – styles range from Afro-fusion and reggae to Italian classics or jazz, making it truly international.

Tourists, Italians, and locals all pack in, clinking aperol spritzes and local beers under twinkling lights.

The decor is casual-chic with wooden tables and string lights, and there’s even a small sandy “private beach” area for sunset drinks.

The crowd is generally 20s–40s, warm and party-ready by 9pm.

Cocktails here tend to lean Italian (think Aperol Spritz, limoncello mixes) but they also serve Swahili-inspired drinks.

Livingstone’s is famous in Zanzibar guides for its nightly live bands and friendly “family-run” vibe.

If you’re looking for a fun, beachside bar with music every night of the week (and some folks really do go there every night!), Livingstone’s is a top pick.

• Location: Shangani Beach (south of Forodhani, near Tropicana Hotel).

• Hours: Open from late afternoon through the evening (roughly 4 PM–midnight). The party picks up after sunset as bands start (roughly 7pm).

• Vibe/Crowd: Beachside and festive. Groups of friends and couples on date nights. Since it’s partly a restaurant, early arrivals may be families, but by 9pm it’s a full-on party crowd.

• Music: Live bands every night. Genres rotate – you might hear Afro-Beat, reggae, local taarab, or Italian pop classics. The music is upbeat and danceable.

• Signature Drinks: Italian-style cocktails (Italian wines, Aperol Spritz, grappa cocktails) as well as local brews. They also do “special offers” on pitchers and carafes.

• Highlights: The concept of dinner and a show – you can eat well and then dance as the band cranks up. Being right on the beach, it’s one of the few spots with ocean breezes and a sandy floor underfoot.

Africa House Sunset Bar

Perched atop the historic Africa House Hotel (a converted 19th-century Omani merchant’s mansion), the Sunset Bar is renowned for its panoramic views and colonial charm.

The rooftop terrace is famed as one of the best sunset-watching spots in Stone Town. Tourists and locals alike flock here an hour before dusk to grab a seat with a cold drink.

The décor is classic colonial – wicker chairs, brass ceiling fans, and old-time photographs on the walls.

You can literally watch traditional wooden dhows float by on the ocean from your table.

The crowd is more on the mature side (couples and small groups), creating a laid-back, romantic atmosphere.

All the cocktails here are budget-friendly (around US$5), and they serve tasty pub fare – burgers, salads, curries and a few local specials.

A top recommendation is to order a rum-and-fresh-juice cocktail and a plate of samosas or calamari, then sit back as the sun turns the sky purple.

Evenings are calm, often with soft jazz or Zanzibari lounge music in the background.

• Location: Shangani Street (Africa House Hotel). Rooftop terrace.

• Hours: Usually late afternoon to late evening (Sunset Bar opens ~5pm until around 11pm). (The venue is primarily a hotel restaurant, so opening hours can vary.)

• Vibe/Crowd: Relaxed and scenic. Perfect for a romantic date or a quiet evening drink. Couples and friends gather to chat over cocktails as the sun sets. Staff in colonial uniforms add to the ambiance.

• Music: Soft lounge or instrumental music at low volume. The focus is on the view.

• Signature Drinks: Fresh-squeezed-juice cocktails (mango daiquiri, lime vodka spritz, etc.) and local beers. They’re known to have “all cocktails $5” specials, so it’s a bargain for the view.

• Highlights: The unbeatable sunset panorama over the Indian Ocean. The fact that it’s in an opulent old-world setting also makes it feel special compared to other bars.

(updated to 2025 information). Each profile captures local insights on crowd, vibe, music, drinks, hours, and unique features so you know what to expect on a Zanzibar night out.

Enjoy your Stone Town nightlife adventure.