A single cocktail for N15,000? N500k for a table? We break down the inflation of enjoyment in Lagos and why the city is partying harder than ever despite the price tag.

There is a popular saying in Lagos right now: "Money no dey, but we go rock am." (There is no money, but we will rock it).

Detty December 2025 has brought with it a new level of "pricing out." A survey of top beach clubs and lounges in VI and Lekki shows a 40% increase in prices compared to Dec 2024.

The N15k Cocktail The standard price for a Chapman or a Mojito has hit the N15,000 mark in premium spots. A bottle of water? N2,000. Yet, the clubs are full.

Why We Still Pay Psychologists call it "Revenge Spending." After a tough economic year—with the Naira fluctuating wildy—Nigerians view December not as a luxury, but as a necessary release. It is a collective exhale.

"I saved all year for this week," says Tola, a 26-year-old tech worker. "I know it's expensive. I don't care. I need to feel alive."

The "Class" Divide This year has also seen a sharper divide between the "Table" crowd and the "Standing" crowd. The VIP sections have expanded, pushing regular ticket holders further back. It’s a microcosm of the larger economic gap.

But when the DJ drops "Venus" or "Ojuelegba," the divide vanishes for three minutes. And maybe, just maybe, that feeling is worth the N15,000.