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Nile Valley

Entertainment in Nile Valley

  1. A

    New Oum Koulsoum Coffee Shop

    Pleasant ahwa (coffeehouse) right at the heart of the souq, on a large terrace with welcome mist machines, where you can recover from shopping and haggling in the souq and watch the crowds without any hassle. On the menu are fresh juices (E£10 to E£15), hot and cold drinks and a good sheesha (E£10) as well as ‘professional Nespresso’ coffee (E£15).

    reviewed

  2. B

    Metropolitan Café & Restaurant

    A pleasant, popular outdoor cafe, right on the Nile, in front of the Old Winter Palace Hotel. Beers (Stella E£15) and a wide selection of cocktails are available, served on a terrace with rattan furniture and mist machines. The perfect place to enjoy a sundowner, but apart from some snacks with the drinks, the food is pretty mediocre.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Maratonga Cafeteria

    This friendly outdoor cafe-restaurant, in front of Medinat Habu, is the best place to sip a cold drink under a big tree after wandering through Ramses III’s magnificent temple, or have a delicious tagen (E£35) or salad for lunch. The view is superlative and the atmosphere is relaxing.

    reviewed

  4. Sindbad Café

    A large pleasant terrace in the grounds of the Wena Hotel, overlooking the back of Luxor Temple, with old rattan chairs. This is a laid-back friendly place serving some of the cheapest cold Stella beer in town, tea and sheesha and simple Egyptian fare including grills and salads.

    reviewed

  5. D

    Nile Terrace Café & Bar

    The terrace in front of the Old Winter Palace Hotel is the most elegant place in Luxor to watch the sun slowly set over the Theban hills. Starched collars and gin and tonics are the rule here, but there is also ice-cold beer (E£35); or you can order afternoon tea if you prefer.

    reviewed

  6. E

    Dawar al-Umda

    Dawar al-Umda has a popular folkloric show that includes a belly dancer, rababa music (named after the instrument that resembles a single-stringed violin) and occasionally a snake charmer. The show is usually on Thursday night and comes with an Oriental buffet.

    reviewed

  7. F

    Underground

    Underground is a revival of a 1970s disco. The cool retro decor has been kept, and the venue will provide a much-needed space where local musicians can perform and young Nubians can hang out. Being a Fekra project, it should be a place to watch.

    reviewed

  8. G

    Kings Head Pub

    A relaxed and perennially popular place to have a drink and shoot pool, the Kings Head tries to capture the atmosphere of an English pub without being twee. The laid-back atmosphere also means that women can come here without being harassed.

    reviewed

  9. H

    Palace of Culture

    Between October and February/March, Aswan’s folkloric dance troupe very sporadically performs Nubian tahtib (dance performed with wooden staves) and songs depicting village life. Call to check about performances.

    reviewed

  10. Sound and Light Show

    Each evening a sound and light show is shown at Philae. The commentary is cheesy, but wandering through the temple at night is quite delightful. Double-check the schedule at the tourist office.

    reviewed

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  12. I

    Cocktail Sunset

    On a pontoon, which rumour has it once belonged to King Farouk’s father, on the Nile, this place is hugely popular for its congenial atmosphere, cocktails and ice-cold beers.

    reviewed

  13. J

    Murphy's Irish Pub

    With polished wood and a family atmosphere, this pub is a nice place to escape to for a quick, cooling Stella beer or a long evening with friends.

    reviewed

  14. K

    Ramesseum Rest House

    A friendly, laid-back place to relax after temple-viewing. In addition to the usual mineral water and soft drinks, Stella is sometimes available.

    reviewed

  15. L

    Hotel Mercure

    Has the best disco and the extra charge covers you for watching the belly-dancing show at 11.30pm too.

    reviewed

  16. M

    Tutotel Partner Hotel

    The best discos are at Tutotel Partner Hotel, one of the more popular options.

    reviewed

  17. Tutotel

    The disco at Tutotel is one of the more popular options.

    reviewed

  18. Royal Oak Pub

    The Royal Oak Pub is a British-style watering-hole.

    reviewed