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Three Sure Bets For A Night Out in Cairo

Cairo’s nightlife scene can be a bit tricky to navigate. There are lots of options, dry nights, and tourist traps to contend with making finding the gems a bit difficult to do. Complicate these things with the Egyptian revolution, which shook-up the scene, forced some venues of the “elite” to close down and just put a “not feeling it” vibe through Cairo’s party scene. The veil has been lifted and you — the traveler looking for an international turn-up need to sift through all of this to plan your weekend. If you are a whack night out commitment-phobe we’ve narrowed down the choices to the three places where you are guaranteed our three g’s: Good Music, Good People, Good Chance of…. (we kid, we kid). But seriously, if you’re looking to avoid prostitutes, meet some interesting people, and dancing beyond a fist pump, these three have you covered.

1. Vent (top featured via Cairo Zoom): Billed as a arts and liquor joint in downtown Cairo, the venue is arguably one of the best places to find good hip-hop, deep house, and funk music in Cairo (this is actually quite difficult). Vent features live performances, music, film screenings and partying and lists it’s monthly schedule on Facebook (which we love). It holds a unique space on the scene and is the after-hours spot of choice. If you’re in town on a Sunday, pop by their “Happy Hour”” from 6–9pm and meet some non 9–5ers looking to keep the weekend going. Vent opens midday and operates as a cafe and bar until later in the evening when the performances and DJ’s start their sets. Important to note: Vent is more than a place to get your drink on. It’s located fittingly near Tahir Square and is growing into a platform for the Egypt’s young creatives. They even have a creative residency with showcases on Wednesdays. Vent // 6 Kasr El Nil St. // Downtown // Cairo // Tel. +20 02 2574 7898

2. TIU: If a Superclub full of glamour and excess is your thing, then TIU should be your only stop. A collaboration between Cairo’s top promoters (rare in any part of the world), the club has an interesting story behind it (read it over at CairoScene.com). It’s interior is a big multi-level rooftop space inspired by the journey of a diamond. Sweeping views of the nile and a host of local and international DJ’s mean there is something for everyone — every night of the week. Hip-hop night is on Tuesdays, while the weekend is dominated by top 40 and house music. The club opened it’s doors to a lot of fanfare on November 6, so expect it to be packed as the highly anticipated newcomer on the scene. TIU // Grand Nile Tower // Garden City // Cairo

3. Graffiti: Part bar, part lounge, part restaurant Graffiti takes what could be a kitschy concept and makes something good from it. Located inside of the Four Seasons, you have to walk past a few aquariums to find the place which is funny in and of itself. If you’re arriving early in the evening you’ll find a chill vibe with people nommin’ on sushi and chillaxin to a live performance. I suggest you skip this and arrive after 11pm — the “mature” hotel guests have thinned out and the locals pour in. DJ’s from London and Norway frequently guest host so check their Facebook if you want to know who is spinning in advance. Graffiti // Four Seasons Nile Plaza // 1089 Corniche El Nil // Garden City // Cairo // Tel. + 20 02 2791 7000

Travel Africa, Skip Mediocre. Find Your Experience at: TastemakersAfrica.com