By Precious Olowookere

Africa’s largest city, Lagos, offers several co-working places and cafes where creative people can work out their freelancer or remote work habits. More of these types of spots are increasing, nearly as much as the number of people shunning full-time employment but do not find their homes relaxing enough to create.

In Lagos, there are exciting restaurants and even pubs for those who like to mix things up. The visitors, it seems, are only interested in entering a convenient space that affords them important peace and of course some wiggle room to enjoy.

The first on our list is the Jazzhole, which is known to be one of Lagos’ best-kept and well-stocked record stores. Imagine having a restaurant, bookstore, coffee shop, café, live music venue, and music museum all in one location. It is also renowned for hosting listening sessions, art exhibits, and jazz evenings—evenings devoted to the genre of jazz music—wherein local and international musicians are showcased. It is not far from the famous Freedom Park, which holds concerts and activities too.

Situated along Alfred Rewane Road in Ikoyi, Lagos, is an urban green space known as The Garden. The company RF Gardens, which specialises in landscape design and manufacturing, floral arrangements, and plant and flower sales, inaugurated this garden in November 2022. There are chairs in the garden, as well as an outdoor area for casual entertainment, small parties, food sales, an indoor lounge and an office building. The Ikoyi Club 1938 is a social and recreational centre situated in the vicinity.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝕀𝕜𝕠𝕪𝕚 (@thegardenikoyi)

The most contemporary gallery and art place Lagos has to offer is Art Twenty One. This organisation is new, innovative, and daring rather than honouring tradition. As the name suggests, this gallery may be located anywhere in the world, and its existence is indicative of Lagos’s increasing significance in the world of art. Art Twenty One is becoming more and more involved in international African art events, exhibiting its artists at art fairs like Africa 1-54 in New York and London. Art Twenty One is only open by appointment on Sundays and Mondays. It’s close to Lagos Bar Beach as well.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Art Twenty One (@arttwentyone)

Since its launch in 2012, Café NEO has grown to six branches in Lagos and one in Kigali, Rwanda. The idea is new and contemporary: picture minimalist décor with chic accents, leather couches, chic oak tables, and soothing jazz music playing in the background. Café Neo draws a mixed crowd of locals working their laptops, expats getting used to the new environment, and recently repatriating Nigerians to its many locations. It’s a relaxed, welcoming environment despite being situated along distinct busy areas like Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, where the prominent Ikeja City Mall is standing close by.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cafe Neo™ (@mycafeneo)

Lastly, we have the Kalakuta Republic Museum which was the three-story home where the iconic Afrobeats pioneer Fela Kuti resided up to the late eighties. This is the famous compound that he declared to be an independent, self-governing state in defiance of Nigeria’s military dictatorship, a factor that gives the Ikeja-based museum a great deal of its authenticity. The Allen Avenue neighbourhood is close by and is well-known for its business district with a wide variety of stores, eateries, and cafes. The Kalakuta Republic Museum is a respectable place with lots of facilities and services for both business and play.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kalakutamuseums (@kalakutamuseums)