Cape Verde, Africa (continent)April 5, 2025, by Carmen Esselink

Mindelo in São Vicente, Cape Verde: 5 bars for an unforgettable evening

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Cape Verde, Africa (continent), April 5, 2025, by Carmen Esselink

Mindelo in São Vicente, Cape Verde: 5 bars for an unforgettable evening

If you go to Mindelo, you will have many long evenings ahead of you. This 'city' is considered the cultural resort of choice. of Cape Verde. Here it's all about music, spirits and a vibe that will make you feel right at home. Don't expect crowded tourist bars or polished happy hours, but places with character, good music and the relaxed Cape Verdean planning (read: everything starts an hour later than planned as standard).

La Pergola

La Pergola

Touristy? Maybe a little, but who cares when it's just right? La Pergola is one of those places that everyone recommends - and for good reason. The location combines indoors and outdoors, with a concrete space that is partly covered. That creates a raw, open atmosphere. Start your evening here with a grogue sour – the local pride – and relax before the night really starts. It is a laid back place, perfect to start your evening slowly. Regularly there is live music, often warm: the Cape Verdean, bluesy music style with sultry guitar sounds, a singer with a voice full of feeling and lyrics that touch you – even if you don't speak the language – right in the heart. In short: difficult not to get in the right mood here.

Bombu Minino

Bombu Minino

Bombu Minino is old school – and that's exactly why it's so great. Here it's all about vinyl, especially from Cape Verdean artists. Of course you know Catherine Evans, but you can count on discovering new names that will immediately pop into your playlist. The atmosphere feels like a messy living room, where friends play your favorite records and time seems to stand still.

The owners? Super friendly and speak good English – a welcome change. And what do you drink here? The Punch: a mix of grogue, honey and passion fruit. Trust us, you won't regret it.

Jazzy Bird Bar Pub

Jazzy Bird Bar Pub

If you are looking for a place where music is not only heard but also performed gevoeld, then you should definitely visit Jazzy Bird Bar Pub. One of the oldest bars in Mindelo and a household name in the Cape Verdean music scene. Many big names – local and international – have stood on the stage here.

Come here jazz, drunk and Cape Verdean rhythms together, usually live, and always good. On Wednesdays and Fridays the energy really flows through the space: locals gather, there is dancing, laughing and living. No frills, just music as it should be – raw, warm and completely Mindelo.

M. Sunset

M. Sunset

Fancy a place where you can look out over the bay, drink in hand, feet in the pool? M. Sunset is the rooftop bar where locals and travelers come together for good beats, delicious food and that golden glow of the setting sun.

The menu includes tapas, burgers and other classics. Behind the bar they shake fresh cocktails – and they are really finger-licking good. There is a DJ regularly and the atmosphere is always laidback.

The bar is open daily from 12:00 to 00:00. Heads up: on Saturdays you can easily end up between balloons and children's cake. M. Sunset is a popular spot for birthday parties on the weekends. But let's be honest: even then the view is great.

The Metal

The Metal

Your last stop? The Metal. Here, the evening gets a little rawer. The interior is industrial – lots of metal, artistic details – and the crowd is a mix of locals and travelers who know how to build a good evening. You stick around for strong cocktails and conversations that only get better as the evening progresses. Not in the mood for slick stuff? Le Metalo is your place.

A little tip: leave your Dutch punctuality at home. If someone says the music starts at 22:00, you might as well not be there until 22:30. But that's not what it's all about here. Once you get that, you'll have the best nights of your life. The atmosphere builds slowly, the music starts, and around midnight the Mindelenses are dancing in the street or in the bar. That's how it goes here - and that's what makes it so good.

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