“Happy hour” is really just code for hanging out at a bar or restaurant after work, usually between 5-7 PM, where you can score some discounts on drinks—especially cocktails. You might get cocktails at a cheaper price or a bundle deal where you pay for two and get an extra one free. If you’re lucky, it might even be a buy-one-get-one-free situation!
Late afternoons are generally slow at bars, which is why happy hours exist, but it’s also the time people finish work and are looking to unwind. To make that after-work drink more appealing, bars and restaurants throw in happy hour deals. In Kenya, though, these deals are strictly for drinks—food stays full price, even at restaurants that offer happy hour.
Despite the name, happy hour isn’t limited to one hour. It usually stretches from around 5 PM to as late as 8 PM, depending on the place. Each spot sets its timeline and prices, so here’s a roundup of some of the best cocktail deals in Nairobi, where restaurants tend to offer more happy hour specials than pubs in no particular order
Cafe Kaya-Westlands
Deal: 3 Cocktails for KSh 1,000
Cafe Kaya’s Happy Hour is a steal—3 cocktails for just 1K! It’s from 4-7 pm Monday to Saturday, and 2-7pm on Sundays and Public Holidays. Honestly, their Happy Hour is super generous; most spots only give you 3 hours max, but Cafe Kaya goes all out and even throws in weekends when many places don’t.
As for the cocktails, they’re top-shelf. If you’re looking for the best Happy Hour spot in Nairobi, hands down it’s Cafe Kaya. If it’s a bit out of reach for you, don’t worry—I’ve got other options on this list too.
But really, Cafe Kaya offers unbeatable value. Affordable cocktails that actually taste good? If you’re after the best bang for your buck, you can just stop reading here because nothing else comes close. (Just kidding, keep reading so I can pay my rent)
MeSo-Westlands
Happy Hour Deal: 3 Cocktails for KSh 1,200
Meso’s still rocking the classic 3-for-1 deal but with a twist. Most cocktails usually go from 750 to 1100, but during Happy Hour, you get 3 drinks for just 1200.
Considering the chill vibes and nice ambiance of the place, the pricing is pretty sweet—it’s not as overpriced as you’d expect from a fancier spot. The cocktails are solid, so I’d totally recommend it, especially if you love visiting nice places and flexing it to your 69 Instagram followers!
Oyster Bay-Kilimani
Happy Hour Deal: 2 for KSh 1,000
Oyster Bay is nice-ish and easy on the wallet generally as a restaurant, but you know what that means… everyone and their cousin will be there. Affordable and a decent restaurant? Yeah, it’s a crowd magnet.
Cocktails go for around 850 to 1K, and they have a Happy Hour from Monday to Thursday. But don’t get too excited—no Happy Hour on Fridays or weekends, so that’s already a buzzkill.
Plus, their Happy Hour is only 4-6 pm. Like, seriously? That’s barely enough time to get over Nairobi traffic, let alone enjoy a drink.
The deal is basically buy one at full price, get the second free, but honestly, a 3-for-1K offer would make way more sense. Right now, it’s like paying 1K for two drinks, and for that, you might as well be at a place where you don’t have to yell over the noise.
Between Two Buns-Kahawa Sukari
Deal: 3 Cocktails for KSh 1,000
Between Two Buns is in Kahawa Sukari along Thika Road, and yes, it’s a burger joint—because, obviously, the name wasn’t subtle enough. Their cocktails are decent for the price and you can actually taste the fresh ingredients. I won’t go on about them here since I’ve already reviewed the place and its cocktails in another post—check the link below for that.
As for the ambiance, it’s pretty average. If you’re after a nicer setting, you might want to skip this one and head over to MeSo in Westlands instead.
Read: Between Two Buns Nairobi: Menu, Prices & Review
Big Square
Deal: 3 Cocktails starting at KSh 1,250
I’ve got a full review of Big Square on the blog, so check it out if you’re curious. As for their cocktails, they’re alright—decently strong and not too watered down. But here’s the thing: during Happy Hour, the quality drops a bit compared to their regular hours.
The freshness of the ingredients takes a hit—like using dried-out mint leaves or not-so-fresh lemon slices. To be fair, this might not happen at every branch or all the time, but it’s been my experience with their Happy Hour.
That said, the cocktails are still good and pack a punch, which is what most people care about. Plus, with Big Square’s multiple locations around Nairobi, it’s super accessible, so you won’t have to go out of your way to find one.
However, if you’re after better quality for your money, there are definitely other places to check out. For example, Cafe Kaya’s cocktails are on another level compared to Big Square. And if you’re hunting for a good deal, Between Two Buns’ 3 for 1K Happy Hour is another great option, with slightly better-quality drinks.
Read Full Review: BIG Square Menu, Photos & Restaurant Review
The Copper Ivy
Deal: Buy 1 get 1 free (Approx: KSh 1,050 for two glasses)
The Copper Ivy’s Happy Hours are pretty spread out: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 to 7:30, Thursday till 9:30, and Sunday until 8:30.
It’s a decent option if you’re hanging around Westlands. I haven’t personally tried the cocktails, but they get a lot of love. That said, it’d be a way better deal if they did a 3-for-1,000 bob Happy Hour like Cafe Kaya—which, honestly, I’d recommend over this since both spots are in Westlands. As for the hours? Not bad, but nothing groundbreaking either.
Harvest-Village Market
Be prepared to spend a bit—prices here can be on the high side. I’m not sure about their Happy Hour, but I’ve heard they might have one, so you’ll need to check that out yourself. If you’re looking for good value, you might want to think twice before heading here.
Brew Bistro
Deal: BOGOF (Approx KSh 700 for two glasses)
Brew Bistro’s Happy Hour runs from 5 pm to 7 pm, and here’s the deal: buy any drink and get another one for free. They also have beer on tap during that time—so yeah, BOGOF (buy one, get one free).
Their Happy Hour is daily from 4 pm to 7 pm, with cocktails going for the usual 700-ish range. So, if you’re in the mood for a decent deal, Brew Bistro’s is an option, not the best tho.
Newscafe Sarit-Westlands
Deal: BOGOF (Approx KSh 600 for two glasses)
Newscafe is yet another spot in Sarit Westlands—because apparently, that’s where most of the places on this list hang out. If you care about the strength of your cocktails, Newscafe’s got you covered; their drinks pack a punch, right up there with Cafe Kaya.
They’ve got Happy Hour daily from 4 PM to 7 PM, so it’s a solid choice if you’re popping by the mall after running errands. The deal is 2-for-1, with cocktails averaging around 400 to 600 each.
Their cocktails are so strong, they might give you a mild headache—seriously. Even though it’s not a 3-for-1K deal, it’s still a pretty sweet bargain given how cheap the drinks are.
Pablo Mexobar-Westlands
Deal: BOGOF (approx Ksh 950)
First off, props to Pablo Mexobar for nailing the cheesy name—of course, it’s a Mexican spot.
Located at Broadwalk Mall in Westlands, cocktails are 950 each. During Happy Hour, from 5 to 7 pm on weekdays, you get 2 cocktails for the price of 1. And they don’t skimp on the spirit, which is always a plus. Definitely worth checking out if you’re up for a deal.
Mwendas-CBD
Price: Approx KSh 400 per glass
Mwendas is the spot if you’re after some seriously potent and dirt-cheap cocktails in Nairobi. Their drinks are so intense you might end up blacking out and guaranteed to get a headache. If that sounds like your kind of fun, give them a try! Unlike other places where the effects kick in by the second cocktail, at Mwendas, the first drink will hit you hard.
Located in CBD near University Way, Mwendas isn’t winning any ambiance awards, but who cares when the cocktails are this strong? Watch out for the “Mugash” cocktail, especially. They’re around 400 KSh each.
It’s not technically a Happy Hour spot, but their regular prices are so low they still belong on this list. Just be prepared to wait, as it’s often crowded.
Wine Tails Brand
Price: Approx KSh 300
Wine Tails is full of teenagers that look like high school kids. That’s the last place I would go for a cocktail. it is the place if you are the cheapest person ever and just want cocktails
Final Thoughts
In terms of potency, it goes like this: Mwendas, Newscafe, then Cafe Kaya.
For the best all-rounder cocktails in Nairobi, Cafe Kaya is the clear winner—3 for KSh 1,000 is hard to beat.
Between Two Buns has the same deal, but their cocktails don’t match Cafe Kaya’s.
So, if you’re taking just one recommendation, make it Cafe Kaya.
