Best bars for a party

The popularity of Bella Roma shows no sign of abating, thanks to its combination of good cocktails, good music and good vibes. It’s set just off Oxford Street behind Frankie’s, but on weekend evenings you’ll hear the music first. It teeters somewhere between a bar and nightclub. Walking into the joint, to the left is a partially open-air dancefloor with a DJ spinning crowd-pleasing dance and hip hop. A quieter VIP area sits behind the dancefloor with glass walls to watch and be watched. The liveliest part is the crowded main bar area. Cocktails and beers are the drinks of choice. There’s good food using quality Italian ingredients.

Music is the defining factor at this fairly new little bar that has seen highlife legend Ebo Taylor pass through its doors. Album covers and black and white photos of music stars adorn the walls and Ghana’s best music plays out – live too on the terrace; check out the Facebook page and Twitter account for details. But the food is making waves as well – the cassava chips are a fabulous accompaniment for a caipirihna made from traditional palm wine, and the Fire Go Burn You pepper soup and Ye Ye Goat soup for GH¢18 is superb value for something this tasty. One of the most happening bars in Accra right now.

Industrial chic has arrived in Accra. As if plucked from the streets of Manhattan, this confident nightspot has effortlessly slid to the forefront of the city’s social scene; its whitewashed brickwork, dim lighting and edgy beats attracting a preened and international crowd. A lit backbar glows with premium blends, and cocktail aficionados, spirit lovers and wine drinkers alike pull up stools to confer with chatty staff sporting black shirts, braces and the odd hat set to a jaunty angle. Food spans light nibbles and three-course meals, with a silver chainmail curtain gesturing a divide between drinkers and diners.

The ever-popular Duplex has moved location within Osu and, if anything, is now more popular. The décor is brighter and more upmarket, and the small outside terrace fills up quickly on balmy nights. It has an easy-going attitude and manages to feel exclusive without being in the least bit snobbish. It’s popular with the young expat crowd.

This bar is owned by ‘Godfather of Hiplife’ Reggie Rockstone. Reggie has succeeded in creating a kind of hip hop casual environment, so alongside the white leather sofas and bum-grinding beautiful people there’s a relaxed outside terrace and an easy-come dress code. There’s often live music on Wednesdays and it occasionally hosts the Bless the Mic collective (Facebook page). But it’s at weekends when things really get going, with booming hiplife carrying the crowd through to 6am. His GrandPapazz is next door – a VIP only area. But most people will end up on the terrace at some point.

Champs is back! After a brief flirt with being called The Lexington, the bar has become Champs again. It now offers an international menu, wide coverage of all major sporting events on eight large screens TV and four project screens and a wide selection of regular events organised entertainment events, a quiz night every Thursday, regular live music,  Thursday Quiz Night, Accra DJs such as DJ Black, DJ KillerFingers, DJ Big L and DJ Vision and a Friday karaoke competition. The Stellar Group that runs it hopes to return the bar to the good old days of Champs.  Champs. Champs Sports Bar & Grill can also be found in Takoradi at Stellar Lodge and will soon open in Lagos on Victoria Island.There’s also a Champs Sports Bar & Grill in Takoradi at Stellar Lodge and there will be a new Champs opening in Lagos this month. A full review will be uploaded in mid-May.The Accra Champs is located in the Paloma Hotel Complex on the Ring Road.  FB: Champs Sports Bar & GrillTwitter:@ChampsGHAccra

From the leather bar seating to the tilework in the private dining room, the attention to detail in Coco Lounge is quite amazing. Local artist Nana Anoff has installed pieces alongside thoroughly modern and brave design touches, as you’d expect coming from the same stable as design store La Maison next door, which also curated the restaurant’s interior. The pizza oven is dressed up as an old Italian truck and a sight to behold. Incredible space for sure, so what about the food? The tight menu of mains includes sandwiches, burgers and fish and chips. Plus there’s a wide range of salad dishes, rice bowls and that wood-fired pizza. Oh, and don’t forget the home-made ice cream and cakes. The focus on detail continues through to the food – renowned New York chef Andrew DiCataldo has designed the menu as well as that of the flagship Urban Grill. Our burger was on a brioche (thank heavens), and the quinoa salad was loaded with dried fruit and nuts – an inviting sight. The dickie-bowed wait staff were attentive and kind. The cocktail list is also impressive. Meko Martini anyone? It’s Ketel One Vodka with Ghanaian chili. Pow!