The Clubber’s Guide to Morocco’s Colourful Nightlife

One thing’s for certain Morocco has a colourful nightlife scene with its lantern lit streets, live music and cool discos. From Marrakech’s vibrant Djemma el Fna square to Agadir’s perfect blend of lounge bars, this country has some of the most diverse nightspots in the world.

So, if you’re looking for a Moroccan shindig this year we have listed the best places for a night of festivities.

Live Music in Marrakech

With a square that comes alive as the sun sinks, the Medina area of Marrakech is the place to be when dusk falls. Djemma el Fna Square has live music, street entertainers and acrobats which all offer a carnival-like setting, making this the city’s focal point. Gathered along Avenue Mohammed V around Abdel Moumen ben Ali you’ll find most of Marrakech’s bars.

Imagine watching the sunset as you sip on a fruit-based cocktail from a Raid rooftop, not your typical drinking experience, right? Kosybar is a popular pick for an under-the-stars cocktail. And if you’re a wine enthusiast the bar’s extensive wine list won’t disappoint. Alternatively, try Le Churchill located inside La Mamounia, one of the city’s most plush hotels. Named after its most famous visitor, Winston Churchill, this is one of the chicest bars in the whole of Marrakech with its 1930’s jazz feel.

I know what you’re thinking, does Marrakech have any nightclubs? Well, the answer is yes. Morocco has a selection of nightclubs located in Hivernage hotels or in venues just outside town. We recommend Pacha Marrakech situated on Avenue Mohammed VI. Although it may not live up to Ibiza’s famed Pacha nightclub, it still pulls in its fair share of clubbers. With a capacity of 3,000, a pool bar and famous DJ set-up, this club will keep you and your friends coming back for more. But you’ll often find that the club is much busier on a weekend as it fills with international partiers ready to dance their weekend away.

Marrakech nightlife is now a huge part of the city’s charm, with more and more party-goers hitting its swanky lounge bars for an all-Moroccan shindig.

After-party in Agadir

Agadir may not offer an Dubai-sized party, but if you’re looking for something more low-key, you won’t go wrong with this beachfront setting.

If you’re after a quiet drink there are a number of restaurants along the city’s busy promenade where visitors can stop for a cocktail or two. But if you want to experience a real Moroccan drinking hole with cushioned seating areas, sunken floors, minimal lighting and upbeat music, we suggest you pay boulevard du 20 Août and rue du Oued Souss a visit as this is the place to be and be seen in Agadir. Here you’ll find the bars Central English Pub, Jockey Bar and L’Orange Bleu, which are all great for some late-night sipping.

As most bars close around 1am in Agadir, the party moves into the clubs. And you’ll be happy to discover that entry fees in Agadir are extremely cheap, or in some cases, free, so save your spends for the cocktail list.

Papa Guyos, tucked inside Hotel Riu Tikida Beach, is often referred to as the city’s most attended nightclub with its after-midnight music and keen clubbers who pride themselves on their ability to dance into the early hours of the morning. Casinos are also open late if you want to test your luck with a game of roulette.

Cocktails in Casablanca

This cosmopolitan city is forever associated with the 1942 Hollywood classic, ‘Casablanca’, and still draws in plenty of intrigued visitors each year. For most, Casablanca conjures up a whole host of images from sophisticated bars, dry deserts and magnificent architecture to trendy clubs, art-deco and wealth.

When it comes to nightlife this city’s western feel makes for a great party scene. The Corniche area has some of the most chic bars in the whole of Morocco with a boardwalk filled with restaurants and nightclubs. Brooklyn Bar mixes both Moroccan and New York night scenes, giving visitors a slice of America against a North African backdrop. This hotspot’s signature cocktails are some of the best in Casablanca, so try not to get carried away and order the menu. Do you want the best view in the city? If so, we recommend Sky 28, which sits atop of the Kenzi Tower Hotel. This swanky spot offers panoramic city views and a relaxed atmosphere accompanied by laid-back jazz music.

Nightclubs may be few and far between here, but there are still places where you can drink till dawn and Black House is one of them. Attracting tourists and business people alike, this voguish setting sits inside one of the most luxurious hotels in Casablanca, Hyatt Hotel. Grab a seat and socialise with like-minded travellers as you sip on vodka martinis soaking up the club’s ambiance.

 

*Laws on alcohol in Morocco are fairly liberal for tourists and it is widely available.

Images licensed under CC BY 2.0

Casablanca by Hamza Nuino