Cairo Nightlife

Cairo is even livelier at night than during the day, and locals always know how to enjoy themselves. Alcohol isn’t a huge part of social life, but concentrated areas in Zamalek is where Cairo’s party animals head. In many venues, the distinction between bar, restaurant and club is a little blurred. Many locals head to a venue for a dinner around 1000, after which the lights dim and music gets louder for the bar to kick in.

Baladi (literally ‘people’s’) bars are earthy, and increasingly popular, with many clustered around Downtown Cairo, especially around Midan Orabi. Baladi Bars (www.baladibar.com) is a good guide to local bars. Although safe, women visiting alone may feel uncomfortable in these male-dominated environments.It is illegal to buy alcohol under the age of 25.

Otherwise locals head to traditional ahwas (coffeehouse) to smoke sheesha and drink strong Arabic coffee. Families bring their young children out to while away the evening on soft drinks, especially around Midan el Hussein (Islamic Cairo) or shopping streets such as Sharia Talat Harb.

Cultural centres dot the city with varied programmes incorporating lectures, films, music, exhibitions and other cultural events. A good source of information is the English-language edition of Al-Ahram Weekly (http://weekly.ahram.org.eg) and the Egyptian Gazette (www.egyptiangazette.net). The best way to buy tickets is from a hotel concierge or a local travel agency.