Nightlife in Vanuatu
For visitors who want to start their evening with a ‘shell’ of kava, Vila has more than 100 kava bars. Those popular with expats include Ronnie’s Nakamal in Nambatu, Mark Reginald’s next to Mango Resort and Crow's Nest Nakamal. Major resorts and hotels organise Melanesian-style feasts once or twice a week with custom dancing, kava drinking, local string bands and traditional food. These are an ideal way for people to try local delicacies such as laplap, and to experience the wonderful singing and dancing for which Ni-Vanuatu are famous. If you want to enjoy traditional food and dance in a village atmosphere, Solo’s feast, the Melenesian feast, Crow's Nest, Mele Botanical Garden and Cultural Centre at Mele Bay and Iarofa Cultural Village offer an authentic Melanesian experience. Visitors can enquire at their hotel reception for bookings.
Popular haunts for a night on the town include The Port Vila Pub, Lyvisa Night Club & Bar, Mamu Bar, Anchor Inn, the Imperial, Sunset Bar at the Melenesian, Benjor Beach Club, Tamtam at Le Lagon Vanuatu Resort and Trader Vic’s. There are Ni-Vanuatu discos scattered about town. If you want to visit one, it’s best to go with someone who knows the nightclub scene. Club Vanuatu, a private club in Rue de Paris, has plenty to tempt patrons, including bars, snooker, darts, satellite TV and live bands at the weekends. Visitors are welcome. For those wanting a flutter, there is a small selection of casinos in Vila. Palms Casino at Le Meridien Resort offers blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker machines, and stays open till early morning. There are also poker machines at Club 21 (Melanesian), and Club Vanuatu in Vila, and at the Santo Sports Club in Luganville.