Dusk in Stone Town settles over coral-stone walls and carved balconies, and the evening begins quietly: sugar cane juice and fresh coconut milk are pressed and poured in the streets, and the smell of the day's heat gives way to the sea air along the harbour.
Zanzibar's nightlife is modest and spread out rather than concentrated. As a predominantly Muslim community, it centres on small bars, beach bars and restaurants rather than large clubs, and it suits travellers who prefer a slow drink with a view, a cocktail after a day on the water, or a beach party tied to the lunar calendar over a long night of venue-hopping.
Where to go out in Zanzibar
1. Stone Town
The historic centre of Zanzibar City is where you will find small bars and the island's most distinctive drinking spots, along with the sugar cane juice and fresh coconut milk sold in the streets. It suits an early, low-key evening rather than a late one.
One named option is The Old Dispensary, which has a basic top-storey bar with views over the harbour and beaches. It sits off the beaten track, so you may find yourself among a few locals and a band.
2. Kendwa Beach
On the north-western coast, south of Nungwi, Kendwa has a wide sand beach and the advantage of being swimmable at both low and high tide. It suits a full beach evening: lots of beach bars and restaurants serve everything from pizza to local curries.
Kendwa is also where the Full Moon Party is arranged, held on Saturdays just before or after a full moon. It draws a large crowd, particularly when the full moon coincides with public holidays in Europe and North America such as Easter and Christmas.
3. Beach bars
Beach bars along the coast supply good local beer and cocktails, and are the most straightforward way to spend an evening near the water. They suit anyone who wants a drink without committing to a long night in town.
If you order one thing, make it a Dawa cocktail, which the sources single out as the drink to try.
4. East coast beaches
The beaches near Paje and Jambiani are popular with travellers, with brilliant white sand and warm teal water. They suit a quieter evening built around a beach restaurant rather than a bar scene.
Note that swimming here is not always possible at all tides, unlike on the north-western coast.
5. Sunset dhow cruises
Traditional dhows sail in the evening and make for a sunset cruise. This suits a short, early night out, or a way to start an evening before returning to shore.
How a night out unfolds
The sources do not set out a detailed evening timetable for Zanzibar. What they indicate is that drinking is spread across small bars, beach bars and restaurants rather than clustered in one late-night district, and that the island's biggest night, the Full Moon Party at Kendwa, is tied to Saturdays around the full moon rather than to a fixed weekly slot. Plan an early start around sunset, and treat the full moon as the one date worth checking before you book.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- The Full Moon Party at Kendwa Beach — held on Saturdays just before or after a full moon, with the largest crowds when the full moon falls near Easter or Christmas.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink alcohol in Zanzibar?
Yes. While Zanzibar is predominantly a Muslim community, small bars can be found everywhere on the islands, and beach bars serve local beer and cocktails.
What should I drink?
The Dawa cocktail is the one the sources recommend trying. Ginger beer, called tangawizi, is also worth ordering, though it is a spicy soda rather than an alcoholic beer. In Stone Town, the sugar cane juice and fresh coconut milk are the drinks not to miss.
Where can I go for a drink with a view?
The Old Dispensary in Stone Town has a basic top-storey bar with views over the harbour and beaches. It is off the beaten track, so it tends to be quiet, with a few locals and sometimes a band.
When is the biggest night out?
The Full Moon Party at Kendwa Beach, arranged on Saturdays just before or after a full moon. Crowds are largest when the full moon coincides with public holidays in Europe and North America.
Check the moon phase and pick your beach before you go, then plan the evening around a sunset on the water and a drink after dark.