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Guide to Essaouira Nightlife
Essaouira is not well known for things to do after the sun goes down. If you want big discothèques and nightclubs Marrakech is only a couple hours away. If you want to see good live music in a more intimate setting, then Essaouira is the place to be. Each year there are more cool places to go and more cool people to meet. Below is my list of current things to do in no particular order.
Taros By far the hippest and most consistent place in Essaouira is Taros. Thursdays through Sunday the terrace is usually the most happening place in town. The crowd is diverse and includes a good mix of locals and tourists. They also have one of the most popular Essaouira bands on Weekend Nights, Ganga Fusion. They play a great mix of gnaoua and world beat and attract a good audience. The place is usually full by 11:00PM, so if you want a table arrive early. One final note, guys, this is probably the only place in town that it would be remotely possible to meet a girl. Taros is Located on the Place Moulay Hassan and is open for lunch and dinner. Drinks start at 30 Dirham. Riad Grande Large A small up and comer on the nightclub circuit is the Riad Grade Large. It's actually a very tiny lobby of a hotel but every Friday and Saturday they have a great band playing from 9:00 - 11:00PM. The main guy in the band's name is Mustapha. He smiles, sings and plays the bongo like no other. They also have good pizza. The Riad Grande Large is located on little main street (Avenue Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah). near Hammam Mounia sign. Il Mare For about a year Il Mare was the best nightclub in Essaouira. It had the best band that has ever played and the best crowd. Unfortunately, that is all over and now Il Mare is fairly tame. They have a DJ on the weekend and a small local crowd. If you want a Sunset Cocktail, Il Mare is the best place in town. They have a lovely terrace overlooking the Ramparts, the reef, and the never ending deep blue Atlantic. Il Mare is located near the North Gate of the Ramparts and is open for lunch and dinner. Drinks start at 20 Dirham. Mechouar Hotel Restaurant For the last few weeks Gnaoua Family has been playing in the Restaurant and it has been pretty fun with a good mix of locals and tourists. Gnaoua Family is a great motley fusion of traditional gnaoua and a guitar playing Mick Jagger. It's quite an eccentric mix and Oliver, our own Essaouira Mick, does a great job with lots of impressive riffs. The band moves a lot so if they are not at the Mechouar, you might want to check Baraka (see below). The Mechouar Hotel is located on Main Street directly in front of the Clock Tower. The Tru (hole) I hate to admit it, but the Tru is my favorite bar in town. This is a real, authentic, down to earth, dive bar that dates back to the late 1800's. A few years ago at Shakespeare and Company in Paris, I came across an old book that actually mentioned the Tru. It went something like, "I spent a few days in Mogador and while I was there I enjoyed many a bottle of local wine at a little bar hidden under the Mechouar Hotel." I thought that was pretty cool, I need to get the title of that book. Anyway, it's a seedy local dive and is filled with all kinds of interesting riff raff. In my opinion, it is the perfect place to take a girl on a first date because if she can handle to toilet at the Tru, you are with one cool chick and set for life. The Tru is located behind the Mechouar Hotel which is directly across from the Clock Tower. Facing the Hotel, look to the right and there is an alley that is just past the Hotel Sahara. Go under the big arch to the end, turn left and the bar is the last door on you left. Drinks start at 12 Dirham Disco at Hotel Des Iles Yes, we actually do have a Disco in Essaouira. I heard about it last year and went there one time. Luckily I was able to sneak past the security to avoid the cover charge. I'm simply going to state that it is not my kind of place. The one thing it does have is dancing. When I went it was very loud and there were lots of drunk out of towners mingling with a few not so attractive women from Marrakech. I would say avoid it at all costs, but it might be exactly the place you are looking for. The Disco at Hotel Des Isles is located directly in front of Hotel Des Iles near the beach. Cover 70 Dirham, Drinks 20 Dirham. Bar at Sofitel This looks like a pretty cool bar through the outside window. I have always wanted to go for a drink, but it has never happened. I know that they have live music on the weekends and as far as I know it might be the place to be. Maybe I'm a little nervous to go there, like I wouldn't be dressed nice enough and some snobby Moroccan guy who thinks he is the perfect snobby French would be continually rude. Actually, that's not the reason, I just can't afford the beer! Bar at Sofitel at Sofitel on Beach. Drinks start at 50 Dirham. Beach Bar Beach Bar is the best place in Essaouira to go for a nice afternoon beer and watch the tide change. It has a great view of Essaouira beach, the port and there is always a good football match on Sunday Afternoon. Beach bar is right next to, actually connected to, the Challet de la Plage Restaurant. It's on the left hand side, don't be fooled and go to the lame outside tourist bar on the right. Beers are 12 Dirham. Baraka Well, last but not least. I went to Baraka last year to see my friend Mustapha play (same Mustapha currently at the Hotel Grande Large) and ran into a bit of a problem. I went there with my friends Anna and Anita. The owner smiled at us when we entered, there was no cover and we went directly to the bar. The place was empty, but I saw Mustapha setting up. At the bar they charged me 50 dirham for a beer. I couldn't exactly understand from the girl's explanation why, something like, "First Beer 50, next beer 20, live music." I was a bit perturbed, but I walked away from the bar. Then the owner comes over and asks me what is wrong. I mumble something like, "Well, 50 Dirham is a lot for a beer, normally there 20..." He cuts me off, "If you want cheap beer go to the Tru. This is Baraka." I say, "Well, 50 Dirham is still a lot for a beer..." Then he goes insane. "Here, take your 50 Dirhams!" he screams as he pushes the money into my hand. "Take your money and leave, Baraka is not for you!" I look at him and mumble, "Dude, don't get upset, I was just saying." "Baraka is not for you!" he yelled one more time as he walk quickly back to the front desk. I looked over to the girls and we were all perplexed. Mustapha tried to calm the crazy dude down but there was no hope. He started insulting me on the way out and it came down to a round of stupid swear words. Total bummer. Baraka is a Sufi term that means wisdom and learning. I will not recommend it, but Baraka is located on the street that goes to the Bab Marrakech (Rue Mohamed El Qorry) about half way up on the left. Beers start at 50 Dirham. Current Events: There are two great exhibitions in town, one at the Port and one at the Alliance Françoise. "des poissons et des hommes" is an exhibition with pictures and lots of interesting facts about fishing and its affects on the local people as well as the environment. It runs from May 22 to June 18th in the Port near the main gate. "Regards Sur une Indepedance: Quinze Grands Reporters Francais Temoignent..." shows a photographic history of the Moroccan Independence movement. The exhibition includes the history of the movement as well as the biography and heritage of the current King SM Mohamed VI. The expo runs from June 5 to July 31 at the Alliance Françoise. The Alliance Françoise is located on Rue Laalouj not far from Dar Suki. Upcoming Events The Essaouira Gnaoua Festival will be held June 22-25. All information can be found at: www.festival-gnaoua.co.ma 2006-09-17 19:17:10 GMT
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