Nightlife in Cairo
Nile-side Zamalek has trendy Sequoia for fruity sheesha pipes, and Buddha Bar. Locals love drinking all-night mint tea at a traditional ahwa (coffeehouse) like El-Fishawi in Islamic Cairo. Enjoy European ballet and Arabic music at Cairo Opera House. Musicians play nightly at Cairo Jazz Club in Agouza, and professional belly dancers perform at top hotel nightclubs like Downtown's Haroun Al Rashid.
Sequoia
Nile-side lounging
Fashionable Cairenes love to lounge on comfortable cushions at Sequoia,
overlooking the Nile at Zamalek, with cocktails, coffees or sushi. If you
order a sheesha pipe, the waiters will bring a tray of different flavoured
tobacco to help you decide.
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Address
Sharia Abu Feda, Zamalek, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 2735 0014
Transport
Metro to Opera
Buddha Bar
Extravagant bar with buddhas
Part of the international chain, Buddha Bar in Gezirah opened in September
2007 and is already a big hit with fashionable Cairenes. Plush lighting,
Nile views, Buddhas, a popular restaurant and trademark ambient music make
this a sophisticated late-night venue.
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Address
Hotel Sofitel El Gezirah, Shariah Riad el Solh, Gezira, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0)2 2737 3737
La Bodega
Relaxed bar
Tucked into the back of a French bistro in Zamalek, Cairo's subtly lit La
Bodega is a bar where you can pull up a stool and chat with the bartender.
Hanging glasses and solid brass railings make up the décor.
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Address
157, 26th of July Street, Zamalek, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 2736 2188
Transport
Taxi
El-Fishawi
24-hour people watching
With no alcohol served, El-Fishawi, inside Khan El Khalili bazaar, proves you
don't need alcohol to have fun. Open 24 hours daily for 200 years, this
traditional ahwa, or coffeehouse, is every local's favourite for chatting,
people-watching and smoking sheesha.
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Address
Off Midan Hussain, Khan el Khalili, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 2590 6755
Transport
Taxi
After Eight
Traditional and contemporary musicians
With an impressive roster of traditional and contemporary musicians, at After
Eight in Downtown Cairo you're just as likely to hear a stringed oud
as an electric guitar. Book ahead if you want a decent seat.
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Address
6, Kasr el Nil Street, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 10 339 8000
Transport
Metro to Sadat
Cairo Opera House
Classic opera, ballet and music performances
Boasting the best facilities in Africa, Cairo Opera House in Gezira welcomes
regular performances from visiting opera, dance and music companies. It also
promotes the Cairo Symphony Orchestra and National Arabic Music Ensemble.
Don't miss the Opera Museum upstairs.
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Address
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Gezira, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 2737 0603
Haroun Al Rashid
Arabian delights
If you bought a belly-dancing outfit at Khan el Khalili, this is where to see
it done properly. At Haroun Al Rashid in Downtown, famous dancer Dina
shimmies and undulates in her bejewelled costume to wealthy diners.
Reservations are recommended.
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Address
Hotel Interncontinental, Corniche El Nil, Cairo 11511
Telephone
+20 (0)2 2795 7171
El Sakia
Folkloric acts
A cultural centre in Zamalek, El Sakia is part of El Sawy Cultural Wheel,
hosting folkloric music and drama plus unusual fusions like Egyptian rap and
heavy rock covers. This is also the place to see the Cairo Jazz Band.
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Address
Sharia 26 July, Zamalek, Cairo
Telephone
+20 (0)2 2736 6178
Cairo Jazz Club
Live jazz and rock bands
With live bands most nights, Agouza's Cairo Jazz Club is an informal friendly
venue with music ranging from Oriental, jazz and rock to electronic. Special
events are held Mondays. There is also decent vegetarian food and an
original cocktail menu.
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Address
197, Sharia 26 July, Cairo Agouza
Telephone
+20 (0) 2 3345 9939
