Places in Lagos to Have Fun this Weekend

African Knockout Championship opening

The inaugural African MMA tournament spearheaded by Kamaru Usman has a roster of high-octane fights for its opening night. Nigeria’s Segun Ogunnoiki battles Ivory Coast’s Sare Yacouba in the middleweight division. On the women’s side, Nigeria’s Jane Osigwe takes on fellow Nigerian Esther Ayodele. The fight cage has been erected at the beach. How’s that for ambience?

Friday, May 12, 6pm

Venue: Sol Oniru, Oniru, Victoria Island

Full Moon Carnival at Club Rio

Parties are very common, and that’s why The Carnival NG and Club Rio are coming together to elevate the stakes with their Brazilian-themed party. It may require you to come with your carnival gear. From dancers to fire breathers and uncompromising DJs, these side attractions and more are what are in store. Also, experimental cocktails alongside a Brazilian menu are also too good to pass up.

Friday, May 12, 6pm - 1pm

Venue: 131B Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island

Cost: Free, but call for reservations

Lagos Mainland Fest

Barrydhype, Raybekah, Spy Shitta, Shoday, and Sochie are just some of the headline performers at the debut edition of Lagos Mainland Fest. There might not be a world where we complain of too many music festivals. The event had suffered a setback and had to be postponed. Now with everything in order, it sure looks like it will be great time on the Mainland.

Saturday, May 13,

Venue: Dr Abayomi Fiinnih Park, Oregun

Cost: Free

Dance Rave at Element House Lagos

We are a bit surprised we haven’t told you about the house and EDM raves by Specktrum’s Element House before. Now we are fixing that. What makes the next weekend edition of Element House exciting is that it’s being headlined by South African D-producer-artist, Vanco. Vanco has carved a space in dance music and house, which drips with South African influences. He will be joined by Oluwabruce, Icey and Rudd.

Saturday, May 13, 11pm

Venue: The Good Village (The Good Beach), Plot 10B Water Corp, Victoria Island

Korean-Chinese food at Hua Han Oriental

While Asian restaurants in Lagos aren’t new, Hua Han restaurant on the Island are offering one of the best Asian dining experiences around. Decor and ambience is on point, if you are into that. But the selling point are the Korean and Chinese delicacies like their Korean BBQ platter, fried squid in black bean sauce, dumplings and more. It’s a great place to live out your K-drama fantasy.

The Road House Bistro

If you are looking for a low-priced and affordable restaurant experience on the Mainland, take a chance on Road House Bistro on Ikeja this weekend. It’s got both interior and exterior spaces with a rustic, cabin-like aesthetic. Whether it’s fries and chicken or something indigenous, there’s something to choose.

Film Screening of Ema Edosio Deelen’s “Otiti”

Earning critical acclaim for her debut comedy, Kasala, released in 2018, Ema Edosio has been a Nigerian filmmaker to watch. This week, Alliance Française Lagos will the public to the screening of her Otiti. Otiti follows the story of a seamstress who has to take care of her sick father, who had abandoned her as a child while her half-brothers rival to take over their father’s properties.

The film stars Charles Etubiebi, Gina Castel, Yinka Davies, Obi Maduegbuna and more. After its film festival tour last year, the film had a Nigerian debut at AFFRIF 2022. And it’s just lovely to see it being screened again.

Sunday, May 14, 5pm - 7pm

Venue: Alliance Française Lagos, 9 Osborne Road Ikoyi