The best music and entertainment bars Cape Verde

With superb views over Quebra Canela beach, it's an ideal place for a snack or a drink. The clientele? A mix of locals and tourists who frequent the place to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and fast-food menu (shawarma, quesadilla and pizza). Many evenings are organized with live music. Check the venue's page for the latest news. The natural fruit juices and exotic caipirinha cocktails are delicious, all at very affordable prices.

In Maio, it's impossible to come across anyone who hasn't heard of Tibau. Owner of an estaminet where music is king, he is known throughout the country, and even beyond its borders, for his talent as a composer. He has written for numerous Cape Verdean singers. An approachable, humble and discreet character, he loves to share his musical passion with visitors. Like the local artists, don't hesitate to push open the door of his bar to witness some of the finest improvised sessions - in other words, the most authentic music.

Run by two artists, producer Miriam Simas and her husband, dancer António Tavares, this alternative venue claims to be "an idea provocateur", and that's all we ask. The bar's design is unique, and the eye is drawn everywhere at once. As for the events, they stand out from those held anywhere else in Mindelo. From movie nights to conversations, hi hop evenings, poetry or open-air or street theater, you have to come here for an experience that's both original and authentically Cape Verdean.

A rendezvous for lovers of culture and music, this eclectic venue not only acts as a bookshop, as its name suggests, but also organizes many concerts. Jam session musicians, reggae and rock musicians, guitarists and singers of all kinds perform here on Thursday and Friday evenings from sundown onwards. Drinks and snacks are also available on site. Check out their website or the cultural calendar to find out what's on and make sure you don't miss a thing. Positive vibes on the horizon!

A veritable institution on the island, this Mindelo jazz club was founded in 1997 and continues to grow thanks to Vou Monteiro, its dynamic owner and musical events organizer, who is well known in the industry. In a sort of cellar, between walls decorated with old black & white posters, and sometimes spilling out onto the street in summer, jam sessions and concerts are regularly programmed, to the delight of music lovers. A journey through the music so dear to the hearts of the locals, and a jazzy atmosphere guaranteed!