The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is here. Over the past months, Rwanda has done tremendous work in setting up beautiful sceneries and lively places where people can unwind. New bars, coffee shops, nightclubs, and car-free zones have sprung up; and these have surely done a great job bringing out fun and offering great nights’ and days’ experiences for Kigali residents. With Rwanda hosting over 5000 delegates from 54 member countries, delegates ought to enjoy the city and visit some of these buzzing places. Here are some indoor and outdoor spots in Kigali you can visit. Gisimenti car-free zone This is the only weekend car-free zone in Kigali, it opens from Friday to Sunday but best believe me, those three days are the most entertaining days of Kigali. The idea of a car-free zone was brought up by the City of Kigali with the aim of allowing bars and other businesses in this area to expand their seating area outdoors. I have been to the car-free zone personally, and if you are a party lover and a night owl, you will definitely love this place. There are a lot of people coming from everywhere; there are drinks, roasted meat, and other street food. Besides, there are stands everywhere offering all kinds of food and drinks and clubs nearby for music fans. Cocobean bar and nightclub For night goers and dance floor lovers, the new Cocobean bar and nightclub is the best place to have a great night experience on the dance floor. Combined with a restaurant that serves all kinds of food and drinks, it is also the best place to have lunch, or a dinner date with your friends. The place also hosts the best DJs in Kigali and all kinds of music is played there. Cocobean is one of the most booming clubs in Kigali, you can also check People’s bar, Molato restaurant, bar, and so many others. Inema Arts Centre Located in Kacyiru, Inema Arts Centre is one of the best art centres in Kigali with an awesome display of art pieces created by different artists. The place is commonly known for its happy hour and party every Thursday. Different people love it for a taste of their delicious cocktails and spacious outdoor garden. Choma’d Bar and Grill This is one of the most growing and hippest restaurants in Kigali; the place is always busy with diverse happenings. It is a great place to enjoy signature cocktails and savour delicious comfort food, also known for its afro beat and Amapiano playlist that attracts different partygoers of Kigali. Biryogo car-free zone Biryogo is normally known to be the most diverse, lively, and fun place in Kigali and this has been the case for so long. Recently turned into a car-free zone, Biryogo became part of the most visited places in Kigali. The predominant Muslim place has seats everywhere, some with umbrellas on, there are ice cream stands, and the paintings on the road make the place more beautiful. Although this place offers no alcohol, various coffees, teas like, green tea, black tea, and others, and street food like chapatti, and also their finger-licking pilau, will make you go there countless times. Choose Kigali Founded by world renowned artist, Emmanuel Nkuranga in 2019, the historic heart of the city, Choose Kigali is at its core a creative space. This space includes several floors of open gallery that feature a rotating slate of Africa’s latest contemporary art. It allows for a wider range of artists to show their work, in a greater range of formats. The gallery and tiered gardens are built for an ideal event space. With few bespoke events spaces in the city, Choose Kigali is the ideal location for a private event, whether a lunch of 10, or a reception of 200. The space, located in Kiyovu, is also best known for its Executive Chef, Stafano Rutigliano, who is one of the best chefs on the globe. He is famously known on establishments of the Giorgio Amani’s Franchise in UAE. Sundowner If you’re a meat or nyamacoma lover, then Sundowner bar, located in Kimihurura-Kigali is your spot. Sundowner has everything you want from a mid-week hangout or pre-party venue, to a late night hangout with friends enjoying the best Nyamacoma dishes of Kigali. The spot is best known for low-cost alcohol, great music, good food, and an outdoor seating. Also, its vicinity to clubs like Papyrus, People, and Cocobean make it a perfect place from which to map out the rest of your evening. Jollof Kigali The growing West African population in Kigali now has a restaurant to call home, Jollof Kigali, where they can dine and enjoy their local cuisine. Located right on the busy Gisimenti street, Jollof Kigali is the only spot you can order west African and Nigerian dishes such as Suya fish, Jollof rice, Egusi soup, Chicken yassa and many others at a low price. Jollof Kigali has glowing gold lights against translucent decor and dark walls, giving the place a majestic look. It is often full, but not congested, catering for those who prefer an intimate space inside, while those in celebratory mood can sit around the TV lounge or in other open spaces. The spot also has an addition of smooth Afrobeat playlists that introduce everyone in the space to a West African mood, from both the menu and background music. Pili Pili Pili-Pili bar located in Kibagabaga-Kigali ticks all the right boxes: a vast open-air terrace with superb views, a nifty pool, and a congenial atmosphere. Its a popular bar and restaurant known for its knockout burgers, grills, pizzas, salads and vast choice of drinks especially champagnes of all kinds. It heats up to club temperature on weekend nights when DJs spin house music and other beats. Soy Asian table Soy Asian table is Kigali’s best of South East Asia cuisine. Located in the heart of the vibrant city of Kigali, the restaurant reimagines a modern Asian restaurant and is adorned with Buddha statuettes, sea blue walls matching with blue tablemats, black tables and dining chairs. It is also home to the best live music sets on Sunday evenings with different top vocalists in Kigali performing live at the spot.
