The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Nothing can quite match up to Cairo’s
nightlife, and we’ve seen out share of the good, the bad and the ugly. As we look
back at the year with fondness, we’ve compiled a list of the bars and pubs that
have impressed us this year.

Melouk

The saviour of the Dokki bar scene, Melouk
sits comfortably in a sleepy street that by all intents and purposes shouldn’t
have a bar. That won’t matter once you step into the dark, classy ambiance, though.
Only months after it opened, Melouk has become a firm favourite with Cairenes
who want to relax after work, grab a quick bite or party at their special DJ nights.
Impeccable service, top cocktails and a trendy-professional crowd makes Melouk one
of the best additions to Cairo of 2011.

Yasso Lounge

With its classy setting on the Corniche in
Giza, Yasso oozes class and luxury. Its indoor and outdoor spaces make it
perfect for either a relaxing evening or a night of clubbing.  For the former, Yasso also offers a huge range
of weird and wacky shisha flavours. That’s only really a side note, because the
crowds really flock to Yasso for the imported alcohol and great club nights.

Love it or hate it, it’s usually the best place to end up on
any given night of the week. 2011 has seen Cairo Jazz Club exceed its own
sky-high standards with the quality of music, DJs and live performances. We’ve
witnessed the rises of NeoByrd, the Percussion Show, Soopar Lox and many more,
and revelled in regular DJ-ing master-classes with DJs Ramy, Tito, Samba and
lots more. As always, CJC finished off the year with a bang; the Candy Cane
Christmas Eve party and the Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree charity event were
superb, as was the Beach it Up New Year’s Eve party. Add to all of this the
fast-as-bunnies staff, eclectic crowd and the simple element of good alcohol,
and you have a pretty unbeatable formula. Because you see, Cairo Jazz Club
doesn’t do anything by the half; it’s a case of go hard or go home.

Tamarai

Three years on, and Tamarai at Nile City Towers is still the
place to be seen- whether you’d care to admit it or not. As a prime setting for
creative cocktails (try the Tamarai Martini), a dash of Thai fusion grub and
some casual-and-not-in-anyway-fanatical-or-stalker-ish celebrity spotting,
Tamarai is cooler than cool. That’s reflected in the 250LE minimum, but you
have to pay over the odds for quality, and that’s what you get. From the food
and drinks to the atmosphere and DJ favourites like Amr Hosny, Samba and Feedo,
Tamarai has oozed class from day one, and there’s been no slack in 2011.

Sherezade

There’s no denying the lure and charm of Cairo’s
baladi bars. The Downtown atmosphere and cheap beer is a guilty pleasure and no
more so than at cabaret Sherezade. Once a lively hotspot for Cairo’s
celebrities, Sherezade has lost much of its grandeur but none of its charm. The
large seating area is flanked by a stage on one side and a balcony with a set
of stairs on the other; both worthy of a night of belly dancing fun.

Blue Rose Bar

The Dusit Thani Lakeview in 5^th
Settlements is among one of the most lavish hotels in Cairo; a quality that is reflected
no more aptly than in its Blue Rose Bar. The bar’s dark blue and black decor illuminates
the space into some sort of shadowy psychedelia. You won’t be tripping though,
as the very well made cocktails are all priced at no more than 70LE.

Purple

We can’t really imagine Cairo without
Purple. Sitting like a little cave on the Zamalek Corniche, the club’s ladies’
nights and r&b nights in particular keep party-goers glued. People still complain about
the 150LE minimum, but any complaints quickly fade away when your feet pull you
to the dance floor- especially when DJ Feedo is on the decks.