Top Bars in Nairobi – Most Viewed (2025)
Explore Nairobi's vibrant bar scene with rooftop cocktail bars offering city views, traditional Kenyan bars in the historic districts, and trendy speakeasies in the up-and-coming neighborhoods. Experience craft beer bars in the modern areas, sophisticated cocktail lounges in the business district, and traditional bars in the old town. From classic Kenyan hospitality to experimental molecular mixology, Nairobi offers a unique blend of wildlife culture, modern business district, and cutting-edge cocktail innovation in Kenya's most dynamic capital.
Perched on the 13th floor of Alta Towers, opposite Yaya Centre in Kilimani, The Location Rooftop is Nairobi’s contemporary rooftop destination offering panoramic city views, an elevated ambience, and a balance of sophistication and nightlife energy. By day it opens early (from around 8 am) — serving breakfast, coffee, and lighter menus — easing into the evening with more crafted dining and bar offerings. As night falls, the rooftop transforms: the lighting shifts, views of Nairobi’s skyline glow, and DJs or live sounds often punctuate the mood. The menu is designed to be both global and locally inspired: expect share plates, mains, and a drinks program centered on signature cocktails, wines, spirits, and curated pairings. The food portion is more modest than the drink selection, reinforcing that this is a bar-first rooftop destination, but with credible culinary support. Ambience-wise, the bar is enclosed by glass walls in parts (allowing for view control), with terraces or outdoor overlooking sections for fresh-air moments. Lighting is ambient and modern; décor leans toward minimalist chic with some greenery and accents to complement the Nairobi skyline. Whether you're after after-work drinks, rooftop dinners, romantic escapes, or nightlife with a view, The Location Rooftop offers a versatile venue. Its vantage point over Kilimani makes it a favorite for those wanting to drink in city light from above.
Hero Bar, perched on the 9th floor of Nairobi’s Trademark Hotel in Gigiri, is a vivid fusion of design, fantasy and indulgence. Concealed behind a discreet entrance, this speakeasy-inspired bar immerses you in a comic‑book universe—complete with wall-spanning murals, hidden figurines, and menus that read like pages from a graphic novel. The drink selection is brilliantly categorized: “Heroes” (bold cocktails), “Sidekicks” (lighter companions), “Villains” (shooters), “Law Enforcement” (0% ABV), and “Parole” (low-ABV), all with inventive, playful names. Craft cocktails average around $7 and range from mezcal-infused marvels to mushroom‑butter old fashioneds. There’s even a solid mocktail lineup. Sushi and Japanese-inspired small plates dominate the food menu—think shrimp ceviche, bao buns, sashimi, and creative rolls such as crab‑lobster maki and lamb curry‑prawn maki. Reviews highlight the quality of both raw and cooked items, with special praise for panko‑fried bao and soups that are unexpectedly comforting in Nairobi’s climate. By day, Hero doubles as a vibrant sushi & small‑plates restaurant; by night, it transforms into one of Nairobi’s top rooftop bars—enhanced with rooftop seating and sweeping city panoramas from the outdoor patio. Live DJ sets often punctuate weekend evenings, adding to the upbeat, social atmosphere. Ranked among the world’s best (World’s 50 Best Bars – #68 in 2022; #75 in 2024), Hero blends vibrant storytelling, bold flavors, and a metropolitan vibe into a unique “experience bar” that invites you to drink—and dine—like a hero.