Port Harcourt's bar scene is substantial and varied, shaped by the city's mix of oil-industry wealth and West African social culture. The New GRA and Old GRA areas have the most established bars and clubs catering to the expatriate and upper-middle-class Nigerian crowd. For something more local and informal, the palm wine spots in the older residential neighbourhoods are a completely different kind of drinking experience — cheap, social, and deeply rooted in Niger Delta culture.
The city has a significant live music culture. Highlife and Afrobeats are the dominant sounds, and several bars in New GRA host live music on weekend nights. The oil wealth means that Port Harcourt sometimes has performances from major Nigerian artists before they tour to Lagos — the city likes to remind itself it is not Lagos's smaller sibling.
Nightlife tends to run late. Most bars don't fill up until after 10pm, and clubs stay open until well after midnight on weekends. The New GRA has the safest and most established options for those unfamiliar with the city; always use a driver or taxi at night rather than walking.