Nightlife
Abidjan has a reputation for its vibrant nightlife, it is considered to be the liveliest on the continent. There are many nightclubs; bars and what are called maquis’ to discover all over the city.
It is worth mentioning that smoking in public areas has been officially forbidden since 2012 but its only recently that regular checks in bars and restaurants are being done and if charged, both the smoker and the establishment are liable to pay a fine that can amount up to 100 000 FCFA.
Rue des Princes in the Yopougon neighbourhood of Abidjan, is today the new Rue Princesse, which was an infamous street filled with nightclubs. Today Rue des Princes is the place to be at night in Yopougon with its multitude of bars and famous maquis such as Le Monde Arabe, le Vélodrome and the Zénith de Baby.
Historically the maquis started off as being clandestine restaurants where locals could enjoy some food and drinks. Today the maquis has been modernized into official and sometimes luxurious nightclubs, often with open air spaces for concerts and live music. The Yopougon neighborhood is host to some of the most famous of maquis. As is the case in many other African cities, which have taken after the Ivorian example, the maquis is where most local artists, singers and musicians make a name for themselves.
Below we have listed some of the numerous nightclubs, bars and maquis that you will find in Abidjan.