Nairobians, where do you go when you want to dance? And I mean, when you really want to bust a move? For me, I go to one of two places: Dolce (now Dolce VIP Lounge, Starehe) or Soho’s.
Today, I’d like to tell you about one of the things I most enjoy doing on a weekend night in Nairobi: partying at Soho’s.
A Small Aside About Dolce VIP Lounge First, Though…
Dolce Club Nairobi is a nightclub on Koinange Street that has been around for almost thirty years (don’t worry, that’s not something I know from personal experience).
Unlike many Nairobi “clubs”, which are actually half bar, half club, Dolce is a true nightclub complete with a fully enclosed interior, a cover charge, and a dress code.
I have spent many a night dancing away at Dolce.
The music is always superb and covers a wide range of genres. It’s not unusual to hear hip-hop, R&B, East African urban pop, hits from the rest of the continent (both old and new), rhumba, salsa, and zouk all in a couple of hours at Dolce.
If you love to dance, and you love African music, Dolce Club Nairobi will have you constantly on the dance floor.
My friends and I like to say: “What happens at Dolce stays at Dolce”. That’s because Dolce is bound to give you a fun, wilder night than you expected. Perhaps it’s the whole being underground thing.
What I know for sure is that, when I leave Dolce, it’s always later than I expected and close to daybreak.
On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, Dolce Club Nairobi, Starehe got bigger and better with a new VIP lounge.
What can I say? Don’t take my word for it. Check it out yourself sometime!
Where is Soho’s?
Soho’s is located on Parklands Road not far from the Sarit Centre in Westlands.
Soho’s has 3 distinctive sections: an outdoor area which feels more like a bar than a club, an indoor bar area and dance floor downstairs, and a VIP section upstairs.
Yes, Soho’s is a two-floor nightclub.
What’s cool about the two floors is that they aren’t entirely separate from each other; rather, the VIP section overlooks the dance floor like a mezzanine.
I first fell in love with Soho’s because of the downstairs bar and dance floor area. I loved the ambiance—I felt it was really all about dancing.
The music at Soho’s always has me jumping to my feet at almost every song!
Soho’s is one of those places where everyone is so focused on having a good time that they mind their own business, allowing you to dance whichever way you want.
Soho’s is also one of the few places in Nairobi where you can just turn around and acceptably dance with a stranger.
I don’t know what it is about Soho’s, but people seem to always be in a jovial mood and just out to have a good time.
Soho’s VIP
Recently, I’ve developed a new love for Soho’s—this time not for the downstairs section but for the upstairs VIP section.
Let’s be clear: I’m not a Soho’s VIP!
Lately, though, I’ve been finding myself in the VIP section a lot.
Somehow, the company I’m with always heads upstairs to that section.
When I first went to Soho’s VIP, I thought it boring and completely wannabe. I felt the real partying happened downstairs.
Whenever a good song would come on, I’d rush downstairs to make the most of it.
Over time though, I’ve come to love the atmosphere upstairs.
I’ve learned to appreciate the spaciousness as well as the company. I also love the fact that it’s so much easier to get a drink upstairs because of the lower patrons-to-bar ratio.
Upstairs or downstairs, Soho’s is a lot of fun. If you are looking for fun things to do in Nairobi, you need to check it out.
READ ALSO: Thorn Tree Cafe, Nairobi
I advise you not to do so too early in the night though, because Soho’s picks up well after midnight.
If you get there too long before midnight, you get a totally different vibe and might be tempted to leave before the fun begins.
In case you do try it out, I would love to hear what you thought. If you’ve been to Soho’s before, does my review do it justice? Or is there something I’am missing out?
I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
Biche
Click here for more ideas on things to do in Nairobi.
Photo Credits: Dolce VIP Lounge Facebook Page
Thanks for this. I’ve definitely been looking for a good place to go out! You used to live in DSM, sindiyo? Did you ever go to Chui Bay?
I love Sohos, though I have not been there for a while now. Was once spotted leaving the place at 3am to head to, yes, Dolce!
Have you on my reader and am just a really, really lazy person hence the lack of comments 🙂
Cheers.
Hi Fake Expatriate,
Nice to see you back on ChickAboutTown. I hope you do enjoy Soho’s. Let me know what you think when you’ve been.
Ndiyo, I used to live in DSM. Nope, I haven’t been to Chui Bay. Where’s that?
Cheers,
Biche
Hi Kafai,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! 🙂 I see we definitely like the same spots. That sounds like something I would do! Doesn’t Dolce just suck you in? I often say it’s almost impossible to leave Dolce before 5am no matter what you do. I think, though, that the cover charge there is getting ridiculously high. The last time I was there, it was 400 KSh. Why do you think they do that?
I am glad you are a regular reader of ChickAboutTown. I”ll do my best to write more often. 🙂
Cheers,
Biche
I think the cover charge at Dolce is a way of maintaining a certain class of clientèle.
Ok, I can see why they think that might work, but do you think the crowd at Dolce is upscale in any way? (I don’t. Dolce is all about shadiness and shady people for the most part! ;-))
Soho is decent venue, although they could use a good cocktail mixer. Last time I was there, they weren’t able to fix me a simple flaming B52 Shot!! I must admit they do have friendly staff though and one them went out of his way to recommend Grey Goose!! Who would have though Goose is available in Nairobi.
Where is Dolce located in? Is this the Dolce on Koinange Street? Aren’t most if not all clubs on that street are notorious for other activities. Perhaps Its time to check it out. Do tell biche?
Haven’t gone out in a while, but the last favorite venue I had was Mercury Lounge, which by far has a good variety of cocktails. They were even able to whip me my favorite, Flaming Lamborghini(Not recommended for light drinkers). Pity the place got raided by pompous douches and college kids.
Could this be the end of Nairobi late night life for me? We shall see.
Hi Pseudo Intellectual,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown!
Thanks for the info on cocktails at Soho’s. Frankly, I’ve never tried having a cocktail there (maybe I’ve just never expected them to be able to whip up a good one. ;-)) What’s Grey Goose by the way?
Yes, Dolce is located on Koinange street, and as I said earlier in the comments, it can be quite shady. Still, there are a lot of regular folk who hang out at Dolce, and if you go with your own crew, it’s quite a blast. Check it out some time. 🙂
Cocktails at Mercury Lounge – yes, they’ve got quite an array, but what do you think about the quality of their cocktails? I find they often don’t have enough kick and are better in concept than in reality.
A place that has always come through for me when it comes to cocktails is Casablanca in Kilimani. Have you been? What do you think?
Biche
Tried Soho again this last Saturday(07/19/078) and was disappointed. They were able to fix me b52 shot but thats about it.
Grey Goose is premium Vodka and comes in many flavors, orange and lemon being my favorites. You can take them dry,simple mixture with orange/cranberry juice or cocktail form like Martini. By the far the only reason I’ll be going from now on to Soho.
On Mercury lounge, the only drinks I take there are dry shots and my favorite Flaming Lamborghini. I do not know how their other cocktails are so cannot really comment on them. Perhaps you should give this cocktail a try and let me know what you think.
I avoid Casablanca as it is frequented by my colleagues. Maybe I will give it a try one early evening and see their cocktails.
Hi Pseudo Intellect,
Thanks for the feedback about Soho’s this Saturday. 🙂 Readers, I guess now you know: don’t go to Soho’s for the cocktails!
Coming to think of it, I have seen Grey Goose before. Thanks for telling me more about it. Although I am currently on an alcohol sabbatical (why do I do this to myself?), I’ll definitely try it out as soon as my sabbatical is over and then get back to you. I’ll also try the Flaming Lamborghini at Mercury Lounge. It sounds interesting! 🙂
I look forward to receiving more feedback from you.
Biche
HEY ITS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING PLACES IN NAIROBI !!! INFACT I WAS THE RESEDENCE DJ AT THIS JOINT AND I AM THE ONE WHO DID THE OPENING !! IT IS A GOOD PLACE
DJ DESHAL
Hi DJ Deshal,
Thanks for your shout out on Soho’s. When did it open again? You were the resident DJ both at Casablanca and Soho’s? Cool! You must be really good. So where do you play now? Where can we hear you do your thang? (Or would that be too much disclosure over the Internet. ;-))
Biche
I surfed in to your lovely site, my compliments to your beautiful work
Thank you, Dave, and welcome to ChickAboutTown! 🙂
nyce stuf! Just from th u.s en Ur blog syt helpt me gt a joint 2nyt. . . . Havin a blast the kenyan way!!
Hi D.j Engard,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! I am glad you had a blast at Soho’s!
Biche
Planning a visit to Nairobi from us in a month time, just wondering the nice place to go (n/b: I hate seing women in jeans in club) am looking for a place where I can put on my short pretty dresses and shorts without attracting damn attention!
Hi Elle,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! Sorry for not getting back to you in time for your trip to Nairobi. Did you manage to find the kind of club you were looking for? If so, I’d love to hear all about it.
Biche
Good to read this sort of stuff am going to be in Westland for only two days thrusday n friday. need a college girl what could you recommend?
I have no clue. I no longer live in Nairobi and have been out of college for 14 years, so don’t know many college girls. Why do you need a college girl in particular?