Fendika Culture Center

Fendika is an iconic cultural venue with cool arts, music and drinks. It a place you want to go to have a late night out with a group of friends or families. There is Azmari night, cultural dance sessions, Ethio-Jazz, visual art exhibitions, fashion showcases, poetry and many more activities. It was so much fun in my last visits. The gate opens at 1:30 PM (local time). It a place to take foreigners because it's deeply rooted in Ethiopian traditions.

Making this review one year later. Visited July 2024 I had one night to spend in Addis Ababa, and I wasn't going to waste it. I have been an admirer of Ethiopian jazz since my college days, particularly the work of Mulatu Astatke and the Ethiopiques. This is what drew me to visit Fendika Culture Center to see a live performance. The center is a bastion of what jazz means to Ethiopia and Africa as a whole. I will never forget the atmosphere, the walls, the artwork, the people I met that night from Addis, the Ethiopian diaspora, and Jazz enthusiasts from around the world. The performance sent me to cloud nine. This was a place I was hoping to visit again in the future, and I'm sad to learn that the venue I visited no longer is there...I'm hoping Fendika is doing well and makes an even better home. I'm not upset, I'm happy to have at least experienced this once! Thank you.

Amazing experience - we came on Friday night for an Ethiopian band & dance troupe. Each musician was great and the dancers were fantastic - real athletes. The room felt like a real home for jazz or world music. The next night we went to Yod Abyssinia, and that was nice, but not like Fendika which was really phenomenal.

Terrific Ethiojazz club with an Uber cool vibe. It’s popular with expats, tourists and locals alike. Includes local and visiting artists either rotating bands that change during the week. Monday is the busiest evening and features legendary bassist Henok. If you get there around 7:30 PM and order something to eat, you can reserve a spot where you will get the best views of the stage and best photos (flash not allowed). We preferred the younger band in Wednesday (Abyssinia) that covered Ethiopian classical songs in a jazzy format. Open three evenings a week (M, W, F) with music starting at 9:30 PM. There is an art gallery at the back as well as a souvenir shop. There’s often a fire going opposite the bar. Super atmospheric and unique venue!

Incredible atmosphere! Go on mondays because that is the day they play the best jazz shows and most people come- but come a bit earlier because it is really crowded and seats get taken at around 8:30 pm. The owner was super pleasant and welcoming. Overall amazing amazing experience and high quality music. A MUST VISIT in Addis. Very cheap entrance price of 100 birr per person

I loved everything about this place from the vibe to the atmosphere. The place to be for afro jazz and cultural music. Ttere was a live band performing that was nothing but amazing. Another thing is I never felt unsafe at any moment. Everyone was friendly and oh I had to pay B100 that goes to the artists. Based on their performance they probably deserved B500.

Great place to experience of sending a modern Ethiopian culture. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday that are performances Monday jamming session was something else! Fantastic stuff! The crowd is very friendly and seems intellectual. There is a small gallery inside plenty of drinks, including tej.

my healing place in ethiphia. jazz , traditional dance in ethiopia and wonderful atmosphere! Meluka is a genius. I miss already!!