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Simba Saloon
A family restaurant by day and a dance venue by night at the Carnivore complex in Lang'ata, with live music, DJs, big-screen sport and an electric dance floor.
At a glance
- Type
- Restaurant, bar and nightclub
- Area
- Lang'ata, Nairobi, Kenya
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- tamarind.co.ke
Good to know
- Dance floor
- Live music and DJs
- Live sports
- Family restaurant by day
- Playground
- Walk-ins welcome
Why we recommend it
Simba Saloon is the more informal sibling of Carnivore, sharing the same complex on Lang'ata Road near Wilson Airport. It has two personalities. By day it is a casual, family-friendly restaurant with a varied menu and a playground, and in the evening it becomes a multipurpose entertainment space with live music, DJ sets, live sports screenings and what its owners describe as an electrifying dance floor. Over the years it has hosted many African and international musicians.
The venue opens at noon, and the kitchen takes last food orders at 22:30, so it is possible to have dinner and stay on for the music. Nightclub nights run from Wednesday to Sunday, and the programme mixes DJs, live bands and themed events. Big sporting fixtures draw crowds too, with upcoming screenings advertised on the Tamarind website, alongside family events such as Sunday lunches, which are a good way to see the venue in its daytime mode.
The appeal lies in its relaxed, sociable atmosphere and its space. It is large and lively rather than intimate, with room for groups, and it suits friends celebrating, sports fans and visitors staying in the Lang'ata and Karen area who want a night out without crossing the city. Families can come earlier in the day for food and the playground, and the venue changes character as the evening goes on.
Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended for live events, weekends and major sporting occasions, when it fills up. Check the event listings on the website before you go, as the programme changes week by week. Carry ID, dress comfortably for dancing, keep valuables secure on busy nights and agree in advance how you are getting home.
The complex is easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing app from the city centre, Kilimani and the southern suburbs. It is also next to the Tamarind Tree Hotel, which makes Simba Saloon a convenient night out for guests staying there. If you want a more structured meal first, book dinner at Carnivore next door and move across afterwards for drinks and dancing, which is one of the classic Nairobi night-out combinations.
Simba Saloon FAQs
What time does Simba Saloon open?
It opens at noon, and the last food order is at 22:30.
When are the club nights?
Nightclub nights run from Wednesday to Sunday.
Is it family friendly?
Yes, by day, when it is a casual restaurant with a playground.
Do I need to book?
Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended for live events, weekends and big sports fixtures.
Does it show sport?
Yes. Major football matches and other sporting events are screened.
Where is it?
At the Carnivore complex on Lang'ata Road, near Wilson Airport.
Can I eat at Carnivore first?
Yes. Carnivore is in the same complex, so you can have dinner there and move on to Simba Saloon.
Where can I find the events programme?
On the Simba Saloon page of the Tamarind website.