9 Best Cocktail Bars To Visit In Cairo

Cairo is a city with bustling streets, beautiful mosques and forgotten monuments. It has world-famous operas and experimental modern art, as well as all-night clubs and lazy hookah lounges. Even if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. Our local insiders have sampled the nightlife for you, so read on for the definitive list of where to hang out.

Pier 88

It’s the setting that makes this spot memorable, as it sits on the top deck of a boat with panoramic views of the Nile, and you’re the captain tonight. Modern interiors with tall glass windows make Pier 88 a luxe experience. It gets pretty lively on the weekends, so put your glad rags on, although weekday lunches tend to be more relaxed. It’s headed by a Michelin-starred chef, you know you’re in safe hands here with their sophisticated take on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Drinks are poured with precision, and you can expect Cairo’s best behind the bar.

Happy City Hotel Roof Bar

A relaxed and off-the-beaten-track bar – so you can say “I went there first” – is this quintessential Egyptian rooftop experience. Cool, crisp drinks and shisha arrive with complimentary snacks of flatbreads, baba ghanoush and cheeses making this a perfect stop off when in Downtown Cairo. Hold the fort in the central bar area or slip off to a quiet nook to kick back.

Gu Bar

Cairenes know how to have a good time, and when the sun goes down the atmosphere in the capital pops. And there’s nowhere better than Zamalek as the place to head to party. Gu Bar is a surprisingly modern and luxe offering on the slightly ageing Nile Maxim boat. The music pounds, the drinks flow and you’re guaranteed a good time.

Window on the Nile Lounge and Bar

Window on the Nile Lounge and Bar at the Sofitel hotel makes for a luxurious break from the busy streets – lean back into the comfortable rattan chairs and survey the kingdom of Cairo. A unique combination of library, upmarket bar and restaurant makes this spot stand out from the crowd. Feast on beef carpaccio tenderloin or shrimp cocktail, and gaze out at traditional feluccas as they sail past. As you would expect from this kind of joint, the service is second to none and your every whim will be catered to. A real treat.

Cairo Cellar

An institution! A phenomenon! A cultural touchpoint! You might think these accolades aren’t fitting for a pub, but Cairo Cellar is one of the oldest and much loved establishments in the capital. Situated in the basement of the President Hotel, it sees patrons head down to the subterranean cavern for an array of drinks handily displayed in a huge liquor cabinet. It only takes a couple of visits to Cairo Cellar to be deemed a regular, and your name will be cheerily shouted across the bar when you arrive.

Virginian

The views here are worth a visit alone – you can spy the pyramids and the citadel among the bustling streets of Cairo down below. Crowds flock up the hill to sip on a refreshing mango juice or beer in the midday sun. If you’re in need of a caffeine fix, the Turkish coffee is fabulous. The decor hasn’t been switched up since the 70s and the retro, vintage interiors make it easy to imagine you’re in a smoky bar scene in a David Lynch movie.

The Tap East

Fun is never far away at the Tap East, with games nights, DJs and stellar live acts bringing the vibe. Munch steaks, burgers and buckets of wings, alongside the three-litre beer towers, and polish it all off with a dulce de leche molten cake. After all, we’re here for a good time – not a long time. This Cairo spot has got the goods for everyone, so feel free to bring your hot date, your mates or your mum; they’ll all be content here.

El Barrio

Inside a 100-year-old villa, in the heart of Heliopolis, you’ll find El Barrio, a quirky high-end bar. An eclectic collection of colourful chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and a patchwork of artefacts decorate the walls – you almost need more than one visit to notice everything. El Barrio (Spanish for neighbourhood) has its roots in Cuban and Latin culture and the menu reflects it. Feast on beef chimichurri and tequeños, and the creamy guacamole comes with a dreamy amount of tortillas to dunk straight in – perfect for nibbling with your chilled drinks.

Rawi Restaurant and Bar

Old-school charm meets modern class at Rawi’s in the Sheraton Hotel. The bar is spacious, yet once you’re at your high tables, also intimate. Captivating Nile views and the twinkling lights of Cairo are the backdrop to sipping cocktails that are artfully crafted by the much-sought-after mixologist behind the bar. Watch expert chefs cook up a storm in the open kitchen, and get up close and personal to select your preferred meat or fish for the grill. From watching your food being prepared to live music and belly dancers, this place is certainly a feast for the eyes!