Lagos ranked among World’s top nightlife cities, secures second spot in Africa

Lagos has been named one of the top cities in the world for nightlife, clinching the 14th position globally and ranking second in Africa, just behind Cape Town, South Africa.

The latest recognition comes from Time Out Magazine, which surveyed thousands of city residents and consulted nightlife experts to determine the best nightlife destinations worldwide.

According to the report, 79 percent of Lagosians gave a positive review of the city’s nightlife, placing it ahead of other notable African cities like Cairo and Marrakech, which ranked 15th and 19th globally, respectively.

Time Out praised the vibrant evolution of Lagos’ nightlife scene, noting its transformation from upscale lounges to dynamic underground raves. The magazine spotlighted venues like SweatItOutLagos and Our Group Therapy as central to the city’s electrifying party culture.

Reacting to the report, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, attributed the achievement to the state’s effective security measures. “It shows that the security architecture put in place by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is working. It speaks to the number of tourists who pour into Lagos daily and the success of the last Detty December,” Omotoso said.

He added that the state government is working to structure major tourism events into a year-end calendar to better harness their economic impact. He also revealed that Lagos is set to make history this year as the first African city to host the EI Water Race Championship.

Omotoso emphasized the economic importance of Lagos’ nightlife and its year-end festivities, stating, “The end-of-the-year events, popularly described as Detty December, always have huge positive effects on the socio-economic landscape of the state.”

This latest honour follows Lagos’ earlier recognition in Time Out’s September 2024 list, where it ranked sixth globally for nightlife, ahead of cities like Manchester and Rotterdam.

Time Out Magazine, a renowned global guide to urban entertainment and culture, operates in 333 cities across 59 countries and has been influential in spotlighting city life since its founding in 1968.

Top 20 Cities for Nightlife in 2025 – Time Out Magazine
Las Vegas
Madrid
Paris
Shanghai
Berlin
Melbourne
Brighton
Mexico City
Dubai
Mumbai
Cape Town
Warsaw
Bangkok
Lagos
Cairo
Riyadh
Amsterdam
Medellín
Marrakech
Athens