Creative Ecology · Indicator 2
Experimental venues
What this indicator asks
How many venues in Lagos are spaces for experimental, interdisciplinary and progressive work?
37.5/ 100 · Lagos
We counted fixed venues in the city that have been open since at least January 2025 and hold regular events at night. Dedicated experimental venues count for more than mixed-programming venues which also host experimental nights. Festivals, series without their own venue and closed venues are not counted.
Lagos has four mixed venues that host experimental events: Bogobiri House in Ikoyi, Freedom Park on Lagos Island, the Jazzhole on Awolowo Road, and Terra Kulture in Victoria Island.
Most experimental and electronic programming happens as parties and raves in rooms hired for one night, such as event centres, photo studios, wedding halls and beaches. An expert said:
“There is a serious location issue in Lagos. The available locations — some of them are not willing to accommodate raves because they feel that they will not be profitable. Some of them also are not willing to accommodate raves because of the nature of our activities. Some of them are homophobic. They don’t want some of these people in their properties.”