Most underground bands in Egypt emerged after the revolution, which is when the long-standing by Cairo standards Cairo Jazz Club became the go-to place for a crazy night out. To see the more traditional Egyptian entertainment of belly dancing, head to the hipster part of downtown Cairo near Talaat Harb St.
The grungy-looking Shahrazad casino, with astral lighting and suave Arabic music audible from the street, might not look the part from the outside, but head upstairs to the first floor, where you can sit down, relax and order a Sakkara, the ubiquitous local lager, which comes with a bowl of lupin beans to munch on. Shahrazad is open seven days a week until dawn, so you might find that your morning plans are postponed after a visit here.
Hidden away on a back street on Zamalek Island, Crimson Cairo has an unbeatable Nile view from its rooftop terrace. Having been on the nightlife scene since Egypt was dusting off the monarchy, the Cairo Cellar is a royal reminder of the past in the basement of The President Hotel , on Zamalek Island. We hope you packed your dancing shoes because The Tap is going to put them to work.
When you make it inside, let your ears adjust, as the music often from live bands can go from quiet to intense in no time. When the dancing session comes to an end, channel your inner Messi through a game of foosball, or get competitive at the arcade machine.
With whirling dervishes and baladi traditional dancers, The Golden Pharaoh boat is always pulsing with pounding music and authentic Egyptian atmosphere.
