Misty Jazz Club
Misty Jazz Club occupies a small converted house on Addis Ababa Drive, a quiet residential street about 2 kilometers from the Cairo Road strip. The venue holds around 60 to 80 people in its main room, with an additional outdoor area that doubles capacity on warm evenings. The interior is decorated with jazz posters, album covers, and photographs of Zambian musicians. A small stage at one end hosts live performances three to four nights a week, featuring local jazz combos, Zamrock revival bands, acoustic singer-songwriters, and occasional visiting acts from South Africa and the DRC. The bar is compact, serving beer, wine, and a short cocktail list. No food kitchen operates, though snacks appear on busy nights. The sound system is tuned for the intimate space, meaning every note carries clearly without overwhelming the room. Owner-operated since 2019, the club has become a meeting point for Lusaka's small but dedicated music community. The audience listens, which is the highest compliment a live music venue can receive.
What to Expect
A residential street leads to an unmarked gate. Inside, the space is warm and dim, with candles on tables and the stage visible from every seat. The bartender greets regulars by name. When the music starts, conversations drop to a murmur. This is a listening room.
Intimate, warm, and music-focused. The small room creates a connection between performers and audience that larger venues can't replicate.
Live jazz, Zamrock revival, acoustic, blues, and occasional spoken word. No recorded DJ music.
Casual. The crowd comes for music, not fashion. Jeans and a T-shirt are standard. Some dress up, nobody judges either way.
Music lovers who want to hear live Zambian jazz and acoustic acts. Anyone seeking an alternative to the club and bar scene.
Cash preferred (Zambian Kwacha). Some mobile money accepted. No card terminal.
Price Range
Beer ZMW 30-45, wine ZMW 50-80, cocktails ZMW 60-120, entry free to ZMW 50 for ticketed shows
Beer ~$1.10-1.70 / EUR 1-1.55, cocktails ~$2.25-4.50 / EUR 2.05-4.15
Hours
Wednesday-Saturday 7 PM to midnight
Insider Tip
Check their Facebook page for the weekly performance schedule. Arrive by 7:30 PM for shows; the small room fills fast. Sit near the stage for the best sound. Wednesday open mic nights are unpredictable but sometimes brilliant.
Full Review
Misty Jazz Club is the kind of venue that every city needs but few cities support. A small room, a decent sound system, musicians who care about their craft, and an audience that actually listens. It's not glamorous. The chairs don't match, the cocktails won't win any awards, and the toilet situation is basic. None of that matters when the music is good.
The room works because of its size. Sixty people in an intimate space create an energy that 600 in a concert hall can't match. When a trumpet solo hits, you feel it in your ribs. When a vocalist drops to a whisper, the room goes silent. This dynamic defines the Misty Jazz experience and keeps regulars coming back.
The booking policy favors local talent. Lusaka has a small but skilled jazz scene, with musicians who studied at universities across southern Africa and returned home. Zamrock, the country's unique fusion of rock and traditional music from the 1970s, gets regular revival slots. Visiting South African jazz musicians occasionally pass through on regional tours. The quality varies by night, which is part of the charm. Wednesday open mic sessions can produce discoveries or disasters in equal measure.
The bar is secondary to the music but functional. Beer is cold and served quickly. The wine selection is limited to a few South African bottles. Cocktails are mixed with care if not sophistication. Prices are reasonable, and the absence of food service means the focus stays on drinks and performance.
The location on a residential street means the venue is quiet to find. There's no sign, no neon, no bouncer on the street. You either know where it is or you don't. A taxi driver may need the address read to them. This obscurity is part of the appeal but also the challenge. New visitors should save the location on their phone before heading out.
The Neighborhood
Addis Ababa Drive is a residential road between the CBD and Kabulonga. The immediate area has a few other small businesses but nothing open late. The street is quiet and dark, making taxi transport essential for arrival and departure.
Getting There
Taxi from Cairo Road costs ZMW 30-50 ($1.10-1.85), about 10 minutes. From Kabulonga, ZMW 20-40 ($0.75-1.50). Give the driver the exact address; the venue has no visible signage from the road.
Address
Addis Ababa Drive, Lusaka
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