Happy Hour in Dar es Salaam: Where to Drink Before Sunset
Where to find happy hour in Dar es Salaam, what the local beers are, what a drink costs, and why the hour before sunset is the one to plan around.
Dar es Salaam3 min readUpdated 16 September 2026
Dar es Salaam is close enough to the equator that the sun sets at almost the same time every day of the year, somewhere between a quarter past and a quarter to seven, and it goes down fast. The whole golden part lasts about twenty minutes.
So in this city, happy hour is not really about the price of a drink. It is about being somewhere with a view when the light goes.
Midtown, Masaki
- Days
- Monday to Thursday
- Hours
- 3:00–7:00pm
- Cocktails
- TSH 10,000
- Beer
- From TSH 4,000
Full disclosure, this is us. Midtown is on the roof of Magesa Ocean View Apartments in Masaki, open on all four sides, and our happy hour runs Monday to Thursday, 3:00 to 7:00pm, which covers exactly the window when the light goes.
From the happy hour board:
| Drink | Happy hour price |
|---|---|
| Signature cocktails | TSH 10,000 |
| Brutal | TSH 6,000 |
| Heineken, Corona, Savanna | TSH 5,000 |
| Kilimanjaro, Safari, Serengeti | TSH 4,000 |
The kitchen is open alongside: Jamaican and Swahili plates, with mishikaki and fish cake fritters if you want something small with a drink. The full list is on our menu.
Elsewhere on the peninsula
Masaki and Oyster Bay are where Dar goes for an after-work drink, and the scene is relaxed and conversation-led, getting busy from about 9pm. Several bars run offers, but few publish them. A few pointers:
- Samaki Samaki in Masaki and Oyster Bay is a busy after-work bar and grill, with special nights later in the week.
- George & Dragon is the pub option, cheaper beer and sport on the screens.
- The Waterfront at The Slipway sits right on Msasani Bay and has one of the best sunset views in the city, though it is a restaurant first rather than a deals bar.
- Karambezi Café at Sea Cliff has the open ocean in front of it; come for the view rather than the prices.
We have ranked the best view spots in the best rooftops and sunset spots in Dar es Salaam.
Know your drinks
- Kilimanjaro, Safari and Serengeti are Tanzania's everyday lagers, and the cheapest good drink in any bar.
- Konyagi is the local spirit, usually mixed.
- Imported beer costs a little more.
- Cocktails on the peninsula lean towards rum and fresh fruit: passion fruit, mango and lime are everywhere. We have written about Caribbean food and rum in Dar.
Practical
- Arrive by 5:30pm to get a table with a view before the light goes.
- Carry some cash, although most peninsula bars take cards.
- Bolt home. It is cheap, and Masaki parking is bad anyway.
- Mosquitoes arrive at dusk. Rooftops are better than gardens for this, but bring repellent.
Finish The Day On The Roof
Sunset seating in Masaki, Jamaican and Swahili cooking, and the last of the light over the city. Message or call to book.
Common questions
- Where is happy hour in Dar es Salaam?
- On the Msasani peninsula, mainly. Midtown in Masaki runs happy hour Monday to Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00pm, with signature cocktails at TSH 10,000 and local beers from TSH 4,000. Other bars in Masaki and Oyster Bay run their own offers, but few publish them, so check a venue's Instagram or ask at the bar.
- What beer do people drink in Tanzania?
- Local lagers: Kilimanjaro, Safari and Serengeti are the names you will see everywhere, and they are cheap. Imported bottles such as Heineken and Corona cost a little more. For spirits, Konyagi is the famous local gin-like spirit. Cocktails on the peninsula lean towards rum and fresh fruit.
- What time is sunset in Dar es Salaam?
- Between about 6:15 and 6:45pm all year, because the city sits close to the equator. It happens fast. That is why a happy hour that runs until 7pm covers the whole show.
