Nightlife

There are now three clubs in Tamale to go to if you want a night out…. Over the year I think I’ve been to each twice. It takes a while to get motivated to go there! But it is definitely worth a visit if you are a newcomer to town. And great stories.

Giddipass is a restaurant and rooftop bar with the best music to dance to, and is a guaranteed dance fest. The people who frequent this place really know how to dance (well, I guess from my observations, all Ghanaians are amazing dancers) so it’s fun to watch some moves, probs fun for them to see us murder the dance floor. It’s the best place in town to watch the sunset, you are on one of the highest buildings in town (3 stories) and can watch over the city – people watching is so much fun, and it’s free! No entry fee. It closes at midnight, so guarantees you an early night (unless you head on to the next place!).

Drawbacks include;

no toilet; so you squat in a corner of the carpark and hope no headlights turn on you (and you are dressed appropriate, a skirt is best)  - this can be good to stop you from drinking/having a big night. I tend not to drink here, to avoid the toilet excursions, it was quite an ordeal the first time.

and groping; this is constant and goes for both sexes. You may enter the dance floor on your own, but soon there will be a ‘sillyminga sandwich’ with you surrounded by men instantly, to make it more interesting, you could time it…. Quite amusing to see male friends get ‘sanga’d’ by so many men too. The Ghanaians that have cottoned onto the idea (shock horror) that it isn’t nice to be surrounded and squashed when trying your best moves out really get the tourists onside when they shoo the men away from you. It’s a full time job.

My favourite review of this place;

“…we went upstairs to check out the dance floor. It was a crowded sausage-fest, and I didn't feel safe. Seemed like a lot of people were brushing against my pockets (aka pickpocketers)….. It's the most happening place in Tamale which isn't saying much because Tamale is absolutely not happening... No real reason to come here”

Hahaha. It’s true. There are also some nice reviews, but this sets the scene best!

When I’ve been there, apart from my friends, there was one other female there. The crowded dance floor was all men. And my male friend had his wallet removed from his pocket 3 consecutive times in a row, each time he was holding onto it saying ‘no, I don’t think so’… 10 points for persistence!

The Royal (for some reason pronounced ‘roy-yal’ – like Samuel L Jackson mentions the ‘Royal with Cheese’ in Pulp Fiction)… Anyway, the music is awful and the smell of toilet permeates, but it was up until a few months ago, the only thing in town open past midnight. And there are noodles available outside. It’s free for the ladies, but recently increased the cover charge for men to GHc10 (AUD$5). High rollers only!

And the new hotel/nightclub/leisure place is Discovery, it has a pool shaped like a mirror image of a map of Africa (who knows why it’s not the right way around) and both a nightclub and a VIP nightclub. Originally priced at GHc40 (AUD$20), it had absolutely no customer for the first few weeks (except for me who went for a look, and found it empty – seriously not a single person inside…awkward!), they have stopped charging entry fee and now it seems to go off. Smoke machine complete with fluoro lights, can be quite confusing on the inside… and the VIP nightclub is still empty. Not sure if I will venture there again to see if this changes.

My colleagues always tell me to be at home by 7pm because that is what they do, and it’s unsafe being away from home after that time…. I can’t say I adhere to this, but I listen. Mum is visiting in a few weeks…. Watch this space to see which one I take her to, any suggestions??