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Nightlife Cairo is even livelier at night than it is during the day, and the Cairenes have always known how to enjoy themselves. As the sun goes down, the people come out. Shopping, socialising and drinking coffee all need to take place before the serious business of eating, drinking, dancing and music begins. The fun goes on for as long as you can stand the pace and even though most places wind down around 0300 or 0400, you will still find some that are open 24 hours. Wednesdays and Thursdays are the days for the big nights out. Although Egypt is a Muslim country and many Cairenes will enjoy themselves all night long by only drinking soft drinks, alcohol is not difficult to come by for those who want it. Some Muslims are more devout than others but if you are with Egyptian friends or contacts and they decline your offer of a drink, you must be sensitive to their religious beliefs. There are plenty of nightlife options. Most basic are the baladi bars, often called cafeterias to disguise the fact that they are selling alcohol. They are perfectly safe, although a little rough and women on their own might feel uncomfortable in what is essentially a male domain. If you want to seek some out, try the Sharia Alfy area around the Midan Orabi. To find out what’s on, get the Egyptian Gazette (Egyptian Mail on Saturdays), the English-language edition of Al-Ahram Weekly, or the monthly magazine Egypt Today (but double-check as monthlies are not completely up to date). Bars: The newest spot in town is the Hard Rock Café, opened in 2002 on the lower level of Le Meridien Cairo Hotel, with 205 restaurant seats and a bar seating 85. It turns into a huge disco, with live bands, after midnight. All the main hotels have their Western-style bars, just as popular with Cairenes as with the Western visitors themselves. Which drinking den is fashionable changes monthly but there are some perennial favourites. Harry’s Pub at the Cairo Marriott Hotel in Zamalek is always busy, with its karaoke and ladies’ nights. The Ramses Hilton has its Windows on the World bar on the 36th floor and is the place to have a sundowner with its stunning views over Cairo. Also popular and a safe bet for women, The Taverne du Champs de Mars at the Nile Hilton. Casinos: Cairo has more than a dozen casinos, most of them within large international hotels. Opening hours and games offered vary, but all offer alcoholic drinks, as well as soft drinks and snacks. Casino d’Egypt has two hotel locations – both in Giza – the Mena House Oberoi Hotel, Pyramids Road (tel: (02) 383 3222), is open 1900-0500, while the Pyramisa Hotel, 60 Sharia el-Giza (tel: (02) 336 7000), is open 24 hours. Casino Ramses Hilton, 1115 Cornich el-Nil (tel: (02) 574 4400), is open 1500-0900, while 24-hour gaming is available at the Cairo Marriott Hotel’s Omar Khayyam Casino, Sharia Saraya el Gezira, Zamalek (tel: (02) 340 8888). Clubs: In Egypt, a nightclub is a place where you sit down to watch a show while you eat and/or drink. The most popular have belly-dancers and these are included in the Culture section. Yet again, the big hotels provide the best options as there are also a good number of seedy joints aimed at parting you from your money. Only go to one if a reliable Egyptian friend recommends it. If you’re after a Western-style nightclub, call it a disco and, again, head for the hotel chains. Jackie’s Joint at the Nile Hilton is an upmarket favourite. Tamango at the Atlas Zamalek Hotel, Casanova’s on the 7th Floor at Hotel el-Borg, and late night at Windows on the World at the Ramses Hilton are other popular hangouts. One of the latest openers is Regina at the El-Gezirah Sheraton, which swings until 0330. If you’re feeling fickle, as unlikely as it sounds, head for the World Trade Centre on the Corniche at Bulaq. Here you’ll have a wide choice of fashionable places, including On the Rox, Piano Piano and Upstairs. |
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