Concert halls Addis Ababa

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.

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!

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.

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.

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...

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.