Casablanca Nightlife
Though it would be wrong to suggest that no one drinks, alcohol is generally frowned upon in Morocco, so there isn't much of a boozing culture. Casablanca might be the exception. With a more European feel to the rest of the country, perhaps due to its French colonial past, Casablanca is awash with sophisticated bars, lively restaurants and a few nightclubs. The Corniche area has the trendiest spots, where people congregate in the streets and crowd the beach clubs during seemingly endless summers. There are a few places to watch traditional dances and music, too.
Bars in Casablanca
Brooklyn Bar
A Brooklyn-style bar may not sound like the most authentic nightspot for Casablanca visitors to try, but for young and hip who love Americana, it's proving very popular. Despite the brick walls and curious art (it looks more like a Moroccan fantasy of a Brooklyn bar than a replication of anything in New York), it still features some of the city's best cocktails in a friendly atmosphere.
Address: Aïn Diab, 56 Boulevard de La Corniche, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 661 259 698.
La Bodéga
La Bodéga is a hip and trendy tapas bar, located just north of the central market. With live music on most nights, from Arabic and Spanish beats to rock and reggae music, this is a favourite choice among Casablanca's well-heeled set. There are also Brazilian samba classes on Tuesday nights. You will notice a fondness for sports flags here, mainly pinned to the ceiling, because La Bodéga is the renowned for showing all the big football fixtures too.
Address: , 129 Rue Allal Ben Abdallah, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 522 541 842.
Website: http://restopro.ma/bodega/index.html
Petit Poucet
Once the haunt of pioneering French flyer and writer Saint-Exupéry, not to mention Albert Camus and Edith Piaf, this colonial-era slice of old Casablanca is dressed in 1920s décor and oozes nostalgic ambience. The bar is rather unfussy, and certainly not as well signposted as a wandering traveller would hope for, but it's still a great place for a romantic drink in the city.
Address: , 86 Boulevard Mohammed V, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 522 490 060
Sky 28
From the 28th floor of the Kenzi Tower Hotel, Sky 28 allows visitors to pair Casablanca's best wine list with some of the best views in the city. The cocktails are excellent, if pricey, the tapas delicious, and the atmosphere decidedly chic. A jazz band usually gets the night rolling, before a DJ playing the latest jams takes over until the early hours.
Address: , Boulevard Zerktouni , Twin Center, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 522 978 000.
Website: http://www.kenzi-hotels.com/kenzitower/dining-fr.html
Clubs in Casablanca
Duplex Casablanca
Beloved by locals, Duplex Casablanca is one of the best Shisha lounges Casablanca has to offer. Although you can buy drinks here, for the full Moroccan experience opt to smoke hookah and drink some mint tea. Expect friendly and hospitable service.
Address: , 10 Rue de la Mer Adriatique, Casablanca,Telephone: + 212 677 638 442
Maison B
This trendy and relaxed lounge-style club offers a range of good music—including EDM, Deep House, and rap—in a stylish setting. Although it hosts dinner parties, service can occasionally be slow. Come here if you're in the mood to get good drinks and dance the night away.
Address: Aïn Diab, 5 Rue de la Mer Adriatique, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 698 999 442
Live music in Casablanca
Papagayo
While there aren't a huge number of live music venues in Casablanca, Latino fans can get their fix at Papagayo, which has a band playing each night. To a backdrop of Moorish-looking stone walls and fuelled by the tasty Spanish dishes served up here, music lovers can wiggle out to salsa, meringue and other spicy Latin American dances.
Address: , 25 Rue Zaid Bnou Rifaa, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 522 985 167.
Rick's Café
Sam really does play it again in the piano bar at Rick's Café. While the classic Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman film, Casablanca, was actually shot in Hollywood, most fans won't mind that this Rick's Café is actually an affectionate recreation. Most come and sip (some of the city's most expensive) drinks in the bar which true to the film has exquisite furniture and décor, superb service and even a piano. Rick's Cafe is a fine way to spend an evening.
Address: Place du Jardin Public, 248 Boulevard Sour Jdid, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 522 274 207.
Website: http://www.rickscafe.ma
Classical music in Casablanca
Dance in Casablanca
Theatres in Casablanca
Cinema Rialto
One of the best art deco treasures in the city, this recently restored cinema dates back to 1930s. Architecturally stunning, there's only one screen inside beaming a variety of films, including some Moroccan classics, which has an impressive cinematic canon. When you step inside, try to picture how Edith Piaf and Josephine Barker once performed here.
Address: Quartier Horloge, 35 Rue Mohammed El Quorri, Casablanca,Telephone: +212 522 262 632.
