After a stressful work week, unwind at a venue that is either Black-owned or centers Black music prominently. You can go by yourself or bring a couple of friends to join you. Some venues included here have an intimate vibe, making them ideal for a first date.
With pandemic-related restrictions gradually being relaxed and spring on the way, people are eager to dive fully into the nightlife scene with abandon. For some, that entails listening to live music in a dimly lit, sensual setting, and for others, it means getting up and moving. It’s your choice.
Here are just a handful of venues featuring Black music to consider.
1. Afro Caribbean Nights
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There’s something about African music that gets into the blood. Whether you’re a trained dancer or not, plenty of us have enough natural rhythm to know how to move to it.
With this in mind, head to Afro-Caribbean Nights Lounge in Las Vegas, where DJs spin with The Culture in mind.
The website says, “we are a full-service entertainment house, offering nothing but the best cultural fusions to the Las Vegas community on a weekly basis! Join us for an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes.”
What more could you ask for than that?
2. Williamsburg Music Center
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This is the only non-profit Black jazz club in Brooklyn, and it’s been in operation since 1981.
The venue “gives a platform to NYC’s most talented and forward-thinking artists, so they can express themselves freely.”
It’s not only a place for musicians and those that love music, but comedians and spoken-word performers.
3. M Lounge Chicago
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This Chicago haunt features live music on Tuesday and Wednesday, with emphasis on R n B, Jazz and Blues.
DJs take over on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mingle over cocktails at the bar or kick back on one of the couches. It’s a great place to go with friends, and an equally great place to make new ones.
The lounge is undergoing a face lift through April, so be sure to check the Instagram page for updates.
4. Prince of Peckham
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Jet across the pond to this stylish, Black-owned spot in London.
You can catch live sports, trivia, and relive your childhood by playing retro games. Best of all, there are designated nights called Culture.
From 9 PM to almost 3 AM, dance to some of the best in Afrobeats, RnB and Hip Hop.
5. Sugashack
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This venue in Memphis is on Beale Street, which, as we highlighted here, is one of the city’s most legendary arteries.
Sugashack offers delicious, southern-inspired food and cocktails. Feeling peckish just when you think the kitchen is closed? There’s an After Hours menu.
Friday and Saturday evenings are set aside for Live Soul Sessions, which add an extra layer of sexy to the atmosphere.
6. House of Yes
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To simply call House of Yes a nightclub is an understatement. It’s an experience, and the calendar is packed with all kinds of events and themed nights.
90s night is always a hit, and you’ll inevitably hear A Tribe Called Quest, Salt N Pepa, TLC and other titans of that decade. There can never be an authentic 90s event without Black artists.
Upcoming events include Soul Slam (a tribute to Prince and Michael Jackson) and Discotechnique (a tribute to Disco).
7. Dahlak
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Dahlak is an Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant in Philadelphia.
On specific evenings, the ottomans and tables are moved out of the way, creating a dance floor.
DJs play every genre of Caribbean music from Dancehall to Soca, and some nights feature live singers and musicians.
Sip a drink or smoke a hookah to enhance the experience.
