Black-owned lounges carving out space for culture and community in Regina
2 Black-owned venues are fostering community through food and music
Two Black-owned venues in Regina are offering rare cultural experiences, from live jazz and Central African cuisine to Afrobeat nights and Nigerian staples, appealing to the city's growing diversity.
"I wanted a space where people can enjoy live music, learn from each other, and share in African culture," said Jules Epalley, co-owner of The Africa Jazz Lounge.
He and his wife, Loraine, who are originally from Cameroon, opened the lounge in 2024 after relocating to Regina two years prior.
"It was a big decision. When you start something new, you wonder if it's a good idea," Loraine said.
The lounge combines jazz music with Central African cuisine.
"In Cameroon, we used to host family parties for special occasions like Christmas. For me, that's the true sense of a restaurant — a place where you find happiness," Jules said.
The Africa Jazz Lounge isn't just a restaurant. It also hosts live performances, cultural nights, and community events.
"I want it to be a true cultural hub, where African people can connect and gather and feel like they're back home," Jules said.
D'Calabash, where Afrobeat meets late-night eats
A few kilometres away, D'Calabash Restaurant and Lounge offers a completely different experience.
Afrobeat music pulses through the venue, shisha smoke swirls in the air and plates of jollof rice, suya and pepper soup fuel the crowd for a night of dancing and celebration.
"Nigerians, Africa, West Africa — we party a lot," said James Kanu, co-owner of D'Calabash.
The high-energy lounge attracts a mix of Nigerian immigrants, university students and anyone looking for an authentic West African nightlife experience in Regina.
Co-owner Charles Umeh recalls how the harsh Regina winters and lack of nightlife options made him consider returning to Nigeria.
"I didn't see how I could survive minus-34-degree weather with nowhere to go out and have fun," he said.
As Umeh will tell you, opening D'Calabash offered a welcome reprieve.
"We give you the vibe, the energy, the culture, the lifestyle and, of course, the food. D'Calabash isn't just a restaurant or a lounge — it's a one-stop destination that gives you everything," he said.
A shift in Regina's Black community
In a city where Black-owned restaurants and lounges have been few and far between, The Africa Jazz Lounge and D'Calabash are quickly becoming go-to spots for food, music and connection.
Though one offers a smooth, jazz-filled escape and the other a lively Nigerian party scene, both spaces help fulfil the same need: places for Black people to gather, feel at home and celebrate their cultures.
The Epalleys want to see Regina's Black population continue to grow, which would also increase the need for spaces like theirs that offer not just a taste of home, but a true sense of belonging.
"I just wanted to bring my own value, my own contribution to the community and show that we can create something truly special," Jules said.
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.
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