Fun and entertainment Ethiopia

This jazz club, opened by the great Mulatu Astatké, creator of ethiojazz, is housed in the Hotel Ghion. The program features jazz and ethiojazz concerts by artists from all over the continent, and more specifically from the Ethiopian scene. Mulatu himself performs during the jams, all smiles behind his xylophone. It's a real privilege to be able to talk to him when he's seated in the room. The stage is round and central, surrounded by sofas. Arrive a little early to get a front-row seat. A memorable evening.

At the top of Churchill Avenue and on the corner of Wavel Street, with its 1950s-style Italian café, Tomoca is an institution. This little store, with its yellowed walls quoting Balzac, exudes the wonderful aroma of Ethiopian coffees, selected and roasted on site. Equipped with a colored token indicating its origin, you wait for the buna beverage to be prepared, then sip it from a small glass leaning against the old counter. You can also buy packets of coffee as souvenirs. A second Tomoca has opened less than 500 metres away.

It's the city's must-seeazmari bet. An azmari is a singer-poet who improvises; funny and corrosive, he pokes fun at his audience, who come back for more! When the musician approaches you and addresses you with his poems, he'll probably laugh at you, which is fair enough. The dancers are exceptional, starting with Mélaku (the angel), behind the current project, Shemeless, known for its Mickael Jackson imitation. The singers grab you by the guts, and the evenings end in a trance. Photos and videos forbidden, what happens here stays here!

We come here above all for the old-fashioned charm of the Inter Luxury Hotel and its special atmosphere, reminiscent of the Addis Ababa of the turn of the last century: the restaurant of the city's oldest hotel serves Ethiopian dishes, in particular a vegan and vegetarian buffet at lunchtime, which is a big hit because it's so affordable (but also very basic). We'd advise you to come here for a coffee or tea rather than a meal, especially if you're visiting the center, where there are few places to take a break.

Renowned for its jazz programming on Thursday night, the Blue Note Club group, this concert bar, housed in a particular house, is an address that has a soul. The atmosphere is always on schedule.

This friendly pub, where Mexican inspiration has replaced the old with typical British accents, is of the purest international style. The cocktails of the French boss, especially the "Suicide bomber", will delight amateurs.

This bar, resolutely fashionable with its lighting, decor and music, is a good step to enjoy the wide choice of cocktails, with or without alcohol. A circular veranda offers an unobstructed view on the street below.

There are three azmari bet all well filled by musicians. The beer is a little cheaper than in Kazanchis, at 2 or 3 birrs near, and the clientele a little different, younger and more noisy. A singer among all others deserves special attention: Etiénesh Wassé, a specialist in ambassel, who is very much in the blues. She is also part of the discoveries of Francis Pioneer and Cds 2 and 18 in the "Ethiopiques" collection. She happens every evening at Datsun Sefer, except when she is on international tour.

This is the chic café-bar of the new Hyatt Regency hotel in Addis Ababa, opening in 2020. In this majestic architectural setting, it's a pleasure to sit under high ceilings supported by sculpted columns, or under the glass roof that precedes the terrace nestled in the garden. The gilded sofas, tables and counters invite you to enjoy a good cup of coffee at any time of day. In the evening, the ambience is more distinguished, with signature cocktails thoughtfully designed.

Subdued red lights, comfortable banquettes and pretty murals give this lounge bar a very cosy atmosphere. The spacious, sophisticated venue is a meeting place for Addis Ababa's golden youth, expatriates and tourists alike. The program ranges from African hits of the moment (naija and amapiano) to salsa, techno and Indian pop, so it's quite eclectic, but the choices are always judicious. A good place to sip a worked cocktail (perhaps the best) as a couple or with friends.

It's one of the few clubs that didn't succumb to closures during the Covid pandemic followed by the war in Tigray. Midtown is a solid, safe bet. It programs live Ethiopian pop, groove and traditional musical performances, mainly on Thursdays - a good idea if you're in Addis Ababa that day and looking for a good concert. On other evenings, it's all about clubbing, with a good selection of music from sharp local DJs and a golden youth who flock here to drink good cocktails and dance the night away.

Wollo Sefer is undoubtedly the new hot spot for contemporary Ethiopian music. V Lounge organizes concerts every night except Wednesday, and has held up well despite the Covid and the war in Tigray. The stage is huge, the decor spectacular, the lighting cleverly arranged, and the sound impeccable, which will delight demanding ears. There's no shortage of talent to be seen on stage, like Alemayehu Eshete. Program online on social networks.

Bar Melo is really a club, to see and be seen. It's the place to go out in Addis Ababa, and you'll always find festive souls dancing in this discotheque, whatever the day, or rather the night! Discover the modernity of Addis Ababa nights, with an excellent sound system, excellent local DJs playing national, African and international hits, a lively atmosphere, and a dance-floor that goes on late into the night. DJs take turns at the turntables from Monday to Saturday; Sundays off!

The latest trendy club for going out, where four DJs line up behind turntables and giant screens in a high-tech neon room. It's a quiet dance club, a good place to hang out, but still pretty hip. Good security at the entrance. Quite expensive for drinks, though, but we're in Bolé. Ethiopian, electro, hip-hop and international music, with a good program. Wednesday is "Lady's Night" with a DJ at the turntables, Saturday is the big night with international DJs sometimes invited.

It's the latest trendy place to go out and see a concert. To stay in, Mama's Kitchen has almost nixed its last open address, which was the most prominent in Addis Ababa, to inaugurate an even more lavish one, still in Bolé. With its high ceilings, luxurious ambience, upholstered armchairs and huge wrought-iron windows, the old place contrasts with this new 4,000^m2 outdoor space set in a pretty garden. Although the house has cut back on concerts of late, there's still the ethio jazz and jazz night on Mondays.

The Azmari bet cabaret tradition that fascinates Addis Ababa actually originated in Gondar. This is the city's most popular and incandescent cabaret. Don't bother arriving before 9:30 p.m., there's nothing going on. Frequented by locals responding to Amhara singers, you'll witness music played on traditional instruments and impressive shoulder dances. A little frustrating not to understand the words, but a great time.

Here's a sports' bar in Bole, ideal for watching match broadcasts, which is also a festive address: Sunday, Monday and Wednesday: live concerts; Tuesday DJ R&B, Thursday, Friday and Saturday DJ sets of the latest Ethiopian, African and international hits. A vast outdoor area with high stools is always full. Inside, a bright designer bar invites you to try a cocktail. Also on the menu: Chinese noodle, sweet chickens, sushi...

The Flirt Lounge is a beautiful, well-placed place to go out in Bole, quite impressive for its designer bar, beautifully lit with colors all over the wall. In fact, you have to push open a heavy, massive door to get in. Live programming on Tuesdays (ethio groove) and Sundays (called "Rehab Sunday", it's more modern Ethiopian music). The other evenings are more clubbing, but you can also just come in for a drink (Wednesday R'n'B, Thursday Lady's Night, Friday International, etc.). A really nice place to go out.

This unpretentious venue is a good place to go out when small concerts are organized: ethio groove jazz afterworks on Thursdays, Latino brunches on Sundays, occasional reggae afrobeat dance hall evenings, a rising trend in Ethiopia, cradle of the Caribbean-born Rasta religion. An opportunity to listen to local acoustic bands accompanied by trendy DJs. Addis Ababa, young and vibrant as we know it! The place itself is cute, with lounge sofas and a pretty decor. A la carte, local-style pizzas.