A place to go when it gets dark (After Eight (Cairo, Egypt))

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	After Eight (Cairo, Egypt)
Date:	24/07/09 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good music, nice crowd, relaxed

Disadvantages: A bit dearer than the cheaper nearby places

Compared to most capital cities, Cairo's nightlife options leave a lot to be desired but they could be considered liberal compared to neighbouring Islamic capital cities. Cairo certainly has it's own flavour when it comes to pubs and clubs - generally there are two sorts, dirty cheap male filled pubs which are hidden in little alleys and the luxurious hotel club/pub or Russian ran outfits which are usually in Zamalek or by the Nile.

After Eight offers something in the middle, cheaper than the five star hotel type but with decent music (often live bands) and a good range of drinks and cocktails. It is however still in the thick of downtown and if you wish to emerse yourself in the grubby alleyways of Cairo, there's a wonderful little sheesha cafe place right next to After Eight (in fact I think it belongs to them) where people wile away the hours all night.

Occasionally there's a cover charge to get in to After Eight, if the band is decent enough - the place has comfortable seats, a dim lit room but done classily, it sort of looks like an old jazz bar, which is quite apt because that's often the music you'll find there. Beer at 17 EGP (around £1.50) is about double the price of the grubby yet fun nearby pubs but this is a place women can go without being ogled at (well not too much anyway) and where expat and middle class local (including many art or film students) have enjoyed many a night.

A step away from the city's hostels, this place is well located and good fun.

Summary: A bit of class in the dusty centre