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

When it comes to nightlife, Cairo does it best. With gorgeous bars and the bustling hot spots after dark, there is always something going on just around the corner. Everyone misses those late nights out, getting some good food with innovative drinks and spending quality time with friends, and Baky Hospitality has done a great job with this one. Shinko is a one-of-a-kind cocktail bar that screams exclusivity; from its impressive cocktail selection to its intimate yet upscale ambience.

With low-lit and chic eccentric décor, Shinko will charm you from the get-go. As soon as you walk in, you feel the cosy yet élite vibe. We reserved a spot ahead and went there around early evening, where we had the whole place to ourselves. We took a seat at the bar and consulted with the bartender about their extensive cocktail menu. Shinko began to feel more like an experience rather than a regular bar; we chatted for a while to find a cocktail based on our preferred flavour profile and mood. From elegant bourbon mixes to a unique, flower-laced gin muddle, we finally decided to get a selection of cocktails; it is a cocktail bar, after all.  For our first round, we got one Kazouko Bloody Mary (415 LE) – Japanese twist on the classic recipe with a mix of soy, wasabi, Japanese spices, rimmed with the chef’s furikake, and vodka. We also got the Passion Fruit Martini (380 LE) with passion fruit, vanilla essence, and cranberry. Both drinks were perfectly balanced; the wasabi in the Bloody Mary was spot-on, and the Martini was sweet and beautifully aromatic.

We ordered two appetisers with our second round of drinks: the Shinko Salmon Ceviche (270 LE) – Leche de Tigre and puffed skin, and the Salmon Sashimi (195 LE) – four pieces of fresh Norwegian salmon. Bite-sized, refreshing, and delectable, those mini starters went quite well with the cocktails. We had ordered the Tomatini (300 LE) – Martini, tomato, balsamic, and lemon, and the Buckwheat Cocktail (200 LE) – toasted buckwheat whiskey, stout reduction, bitters, and lime. Both were incredibly balanced and sophisticated, and the flavour mixes and presentation were downright impressive. 

We went with the Peppercorn Cup (170 LE) for our last round – pink peppercorn distillate, Shinko strange herb, agave, lime, grapefruit bitters, and the Cairo Half-flip (200 LE) – whisky, Lumi, raw sugar, pasteurised egg whites, and hibiscus ferment. This round was quite different from anything you would typically have at your regular bar; even though peculiar, the flavours were memorable and hit all the right notes.  

It is safe to state that we enjoyed our evening tremendously. If you are in need of a satisfying and flavourful cocktail, head to Swan Lake’s swanky Shinko, where the bartenders really know their cocktails. Sit at the bar as their nattily-attired staff entertain you with a potted history lesson on your favourite cocktail, or relax as your bespoke drink is concocted and brought over to you.