Black-owned lounges carving out space for culture and community in Regina
CBC
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.
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.
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