As the holiday draws closer, everyone is scrambling to make travel plans, or at leat have fun with friends and family in their home town. Whether you’re coming to Lagos, or you already live here, these top 10 places should keep you occupied just right. The list of places to have fun goes on till infinity, but we’ve helped make things easier. From parting spots to places for art lovers and book readers, here are our top 10 must visit places in Lagos before 2017 is over:
1. Quilox Night Club: Located on Victoria Island, this nightclub transforms Nigeria’s elite nightlife with its impeccable design and finishing complemented with stunning and first of its kind decor and lighting, world class customer service and hospitality, renowned DJ’s and an over-the-roof sound system. Immersed in an exquisite Red, Gold and Black theme, Quilox is perfect hub for relaxation and nightlife activity. It’s easy to get addicted to the magical moments, electrifying vibes, extraordinary hang outs and late-night clubbing guaranteed to leave you asking for more. Quilox is ideal for both after-dinner entertainment and late-night revelry. They also host private events. Whether it’s a party for 40 or 400, they provide an accommodating space as well as booming bass for an unbelievable fun night for party lovers.
2. Hard Rock cafe: Cheers to the weekend! Located on Victoria Island, Hard Rock Cafe Lagos is right in the centre of one of the most exclusive areas in Nigeria. This is the bar to go if you’re looking to enhance your evening and take your dining and entertainment expectations to a whole new level. The cuisine is out of this world, and you can do more than grab a bite to eat there. Their state-of-the-art cafe features more than 200 seats, a stage for live performances, and a swimming pool area for adults and kids. Children can also enjoy the atmosphere in their special kids section. No matter where you sit, you can enjoy live music, cold drinks, and an unforgettable experience with the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean as the perfect backdrop.
3. Didoz Lounge: Situated at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, and Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, a nightlife magnet of the city of Lagos, Didoz Lounge is a regular stop for night-crawlers in the city. Do you sometimes long for a place with a nice homely feel, with an exotic ambience nonetheless? Then Didoz Lounge is the place to be. Either way, mainland or island, you’re sure to catch your fun. It is also an ideal after-work spot to relax as traffic dies down. Great music, fantastic ambiance, and plenty fun make Didoz Lounge a place to check out.
4. Lekki Leisure: Lekki Leisure Lake is a lake side resort overlooking the Atlantic in the Lekki peninsula area. Loose the corporate look and throw on a t-shirt, shorts, a pair of sun glasses and beach slippers, it’s time to unwind. The activity zone embodies what the Lekki Leisure Lake is all about; Safe, authentic outdoor fun. It offers exciting water-craft activities on a tranquil lake and quad bike action for both kids and adults. Get wet on a jet ski, watch the kids get a kick from working the pedal boats, have a small get-together with friends on the party barge, or race a friend on a quad bike through a challenging dirt course.
5. Lekki Conservation Centre: From its origin and establishment in 1990 by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) has grown into one of Africa’s prominent and most-diverse urban Nature Parks due to its high species richness. It is located in the coastal environs covering an approximate land area of 78 hectares, extending from the Lagos-Epe Expressway and ends up a very close distance to the Atlantic Ocean. LCC can be accessed through the Lagos-Epe Expressway, opposite Chevron. Widely acclaimed as an icon of nature conservation and pearl of ecotourism, Lekki Conservation Centre represents the project on preservation of the unique biodiversity, scenic, natural, scientific and recreational values of the coastal environs of the south-western Nigeria. It is therefore one of the best urban parks to satiate visitors’ curiosity of nature. It is one of the very few vibrant tourist destinations of repute in Lagos and is recognised as one of the notable Sites/Monuments of special interest and exceptional relevance. The LCC’s 401-metre long canopy walkway is a scenic attraction and is the the longest canopy walkway in Africa. It is an engineering feat and an amazing suspended swinging bridge walkway through the mosaic of vegetation types characterising the LCC Nature Park. It has the entry & exit portals connecting six towers treating visitors to unique experience/unforgettable chance to explore the Nature Park and get a bird’s eye/panoramic view of the habitat types and sight the unique wildlife that inhabit the Lekki Conservation Centre.
6. Nike Art Gallery: Artist and Designer Nike Davies Okundaye invites us to visit her Nigeria, an ancient culture that thrives in modern cities, a world that moves easily between talking drums and the internet. Located along Lekki-Epe expressway, the gallery is the biggest in Lagos, and offers a variety of art works from around the country. Whether you are a specialist in the arts, an enthusiast of African arts or merely interested in a brief immersion in a new culture, Nike offers the opportunity to see Nigeria with fresh eyes.
7. Sailors Lounge: Happy Hour! Sailor’s lounge is a fully furnished, relaxed & adventurous lounge with the ambience of a sea view that compliments the atmosphere for unwinding, business networking and water view. The lounge has three sections; Sailor’s Bar, Captain’s Cabin and Captain’s Deck. Captain’s Deck is the first floating bar in Nigeria, it is specifically constructed to capture the experience of floating atop the ocean for maximum enjoyment. Sailor’s lounge is one of the leading Lounges in Lagos. Sailor’s Lounge Lekki, has grown significantly over the last 3 years to become a respected and capable convenience provider and a hub where fun meets with nature. With rigorous quality controls in place, a comprehensive product range from continental meals to assorted drinks sought from the original manufacturers and their proven capacity to deliver quantitative and qualitative products and services to their corporates and individuals has made their customers develop confidence in them. Sailors Lounge is one of the luxurious lounges situated on the Lagos lagoon at plot 1, block 12, Admiralty Road, Lekki phase 1. So make sure you pay them a visit this Christmas (and beyond)!
8. The JazzHole: A music shop, book shop and cafe all in one spot. The Jazzhole is an oasis of calm within the bustle of Lagos. If you are a lover of good music, books, and African artwork, the Jazzhole is a haven for you. Jazzhole Records is an independent label based at 168 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Created in the 90’s together with the Glendora Book library, the cafe offers about 40 varieties of tea, which comes served in individual tin tea pots with jars of dark brown sugar. The coffee crumble cake is delicious, the sandwiches three slices high. it is credited as one of the best music shops and cultural centres within the country. It is an African lounge with endless Jazz and Soul music, and also a place where you can read from the largest collection of good books. They also do monthly art exhibitions showcasing the African strength in literature, music, arts, and more. In the evenings there is a live jazz band while the audience is scattered all over giving rise to a very cool environment.
9. Kalakuta museum: The residence of the late great Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, continues to stand as a symbol of hope to many Nigerians who are desperately seeking a turn-around. The name “Kalakuta Republic” came to Fela when he was imprisoned for “corruption of minors and possession of cannabis.” He was locked up for eleven months in 1974 in a jail called the Kalakuta cell. Upon his release, the revolutionary music icon decided to rename his residence Kalakuta Republic. After the musician’s death, his children, family and close fans decided to transform his house into a museum where lovers of his songs and ideology can come for remembrance of what Fela stood for during his lifetime. The legendary musician’s home, one of the most memorable places in the sprawling city of Lagos, now houses an intriguing museum where care has been taken to preserve everything associated with Fela. Taking a tour of Fela’s residence, one can see his musical instruments, clothes (down to his signature small underwear), shoes, and other mementos that symbolised the great musician.
10. Rumors Night Club: Since birthing in Festac Town, Rumors has become a hotspot for night crawlers especially around the FESTAC town vicinity. Owned by living legend 2Face Idibia, Rumors is a luxurious hangout spot that serves exquisite cuisine with fine dining and great music, it is a great place for socialites to mingle and network with celebrities, business people and government officials. They also offer a wide range of beverage choices, which include beer, cocktails, and other drinks that will ensure your night is a success. A memorable experience is always guaranteed.
Compiled by David Edet of Nairametrics