Spitfire. Photo credit: Egypt Independent
A common local complaint is that Alexandria falls significantly short in comparison to Cairo when it comes to bars, pubs, clubs and other watering holes. And while this is true to a certain extent (there are more bars in the small island neighborhood of Zamalek in Cairo than in the whole of Alexandria), Alex *does* in fact have more than a dozen spots where you can kick back with a drink.
Are they all worth going to? Well… we’ll let you decide for yourself.
Note: we didn’t include restaurants that served alcohol (Greek Club, Chez Gaby, Santa Lucia, Zephyrion, etc) because they’re more restaurant than a night spot.
So here are the main players in Alexandria’s nightlife, in no particular order:
1. Spitfire
Photo credit: Nadia Mounir
Dating all the way back to 1883, Spitfire is Alexandria’s oldest bar with decades of paraphernalia on the walls.
2. Eros
Newly opened in 2019, Eros is a restobar on the second floor of the Alexandria Syrian Club.
3. Cap D’Or (Sheikh Ali)
Photo credit: Quinton Miller
Another vintage Alexandrian bar, the Cap D’Or (also known as Sheikh Ali) opened circa 1900 and is still owned by the same family.
4. The Pint
Located in the Eatabe Alexandria Corniche Hotel, this steakhouse & bar is adjacent to a lounge that serves shisha.
5. NEO Lounge
A sports bar and club/lounge in the Hilton Alexandria Corniche, they host weekly themed nights like House Night, Latin Night, Oriental Night, etc.
6. Sky Roof
On the rooftop of the Windsor Palace Hotel, this very purple bar and lounge serves up blasting music (albeit with great sea views).
7. Deja Vu
A lounge and bar on Alexandria’s historic Fouad Street, with a large menu but especially known for their sushi.
8. Calithea
Styled after a Greek tavern, Calithea has been open since 1937. While they serve food, most people opt to drink a beer or wine there instead.
9. Il Punto
A restaurant and pub in the Downtown area of Alexandria. It’s small, so reservations are needed.
10. Monty Bar
The vintage bar at the famous Cecil hotel (now Steigenberger). It was named after Field Marshal Montgomery who visited the bar during World War II.
11. Mermaid
Next to Calithea on the Corniche is Mermaid, a seafood restaurant that turns into a seedy bar at night.
12. The Kraken
A Viking-themed bar and restaurant in the Africana Hotel in King Mariout, on the outskirts of Alexandria, complete with a pool table and bar games.
13. Le Bar
A beautiful lounge and bar at the Four Seasons San Stefano which will make you nostalgic for Alexandria’s belle epoque — with Four Seasons prices, of course.
14. Jeeda’s
Touted as Alexandria’s first ever tapas bar, Jeeda’s is where you should head if you want to have a drink in a beautiful indoor/outdoor space with handcrafted cocktails.
15. Ivory Lounge
Found on the first floor of the Delta Hotel in Azarita, Ivory Lounge newly opened in 2019.
16. La Cueva
Another new addition to Alexandria’s nightlife scene, La Cueva is a pub with a good selection of bar food on the Corniche.
17. Nefertiti
Alexandria’s version of a Downtown Cairo baladi bar. Go for affordable drinks and pass on the food.
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