As a Middle Eastern, predominantly Muslim nation, Egypt's nightlife isn't big on partying and drinking alcohol.
There are various clubs, discos, casinos, and bars, but it's not a massive part of the culture. That being said, the country is full of life, and there is a long list of things to do for nightly entertainment in Egypt.
Egypt Nightlife - How to Party in Egypt
When to Go Out
Coffee shops and local hangouts in Egypt are open until the early morning hours, serving sheesha, Egyptian food, and hot beverages.
Bars and clubs in the downtown area usually start to fill up around 10 pm, so this is the best time to go. Some shut their doors by 2 am, while others remain open until 4 am and beyond.
What to Wear
Egyptians like to dress smartly. Even during the day, though it's often blazing hot, men usually wear long pants and shoes. When going out at night, it's essential to look good.
You might get away with board shorts and flip-flops on the Red Sea, but long pants, loafers, and sweaters are more respectable in the city.
For women, there's an entirely different set of criteria for dressing in Egypt. As a predominantly Muslim country, Egypt has rules and guidelines that must be respected.
No, it's not a requirement for a woman to cover her head (even many Egyptian women don't), but showing legs and arms is iffy.
Ultimately it's up to you, but I recommend always being respectful in the country you are visiting.
Nightclubs
Many nightclubs in Egypt are located within big hotels. If you're interested in Cairo nightlife, the main nightclub area is around the Zamalek district on the Nile River.
Other Egyptian nightlife places popular with music lovers include the Red Sea tourist resort towns of Dahab and Sharm el Sheik.
The best nightclubs are the top places for a good time. They have live entertainment, loud music, light shows, and delicious drinks, and they're full of party people.
Bars
Bars exist around the country. Any establishment that serves alcohol must be indoors, and its windows must be blocked from view so no one can see inside.
There are plenty of bars, from ones that look like English-style pubs, to the bars in the Hard Rock Café, to local baladi bars - Egypt's dive bars.
Dress codes vary, but they aren't as formal as the clubs - although a contemporary bar in the hipster part of downtown Cairo can be pretty strict, as can some modern public houses.
Stella is the most popular local beer in Egypt, and it goes for about 15-30 LE ($2.51-$5.02) per large bottle. This isn't big money, so a bar is a great place to get ready to put on your dancing shoes at a popular club.
Casinos
If gambling is your thing, Egypt has numerous large-scale resort and hotel casinos nationwide.
Popular Egyptian Nightlife
Coffeeshops
One of the most popular things to do as a local in Egypt at night is to relax at a coffee shop, drinking cups of tea or coffee, possibly sampling a sheesha water pipe, and enjoying Egyptian food.
Some of the real local-style neighborhood coffee shops are men-only, but women are also permitted in central areas of towns and touristy regions.
They are often lively places where you can spend a long time soaking in the spirit of Egyptian nightlife.
Restaurants
People in Egypt seem to be night owls - and a popular family activity is going out to eat in the wee hours and well into the early morning and enjoying each other's company.
Cinemas
You can watch movies at theaters until late in Egypt.
Social Dynamics
In Egypt, there are many social dynamics when going out at night. Mostly, it is pretty relaxed as a Middle Eastern country, yet there is still some male/female segregation.
Some Egyptians go out for the night with their families, while others go out with their friends. For foreigners, it's OK to go out with friends of the same age.
Note that some clubs in Egypt allow couples but not singles. Some neighborhood coffee shops prefer only men to enter.
Related: Cost of Travel in Egypt
Dancing
It is possible to find discos and nightclubs in Egypt that play a variety of live music, including Western hip-hop, trance, and local Arabic tunes. There's also more than one fantastic Cairo jazz club.
The major clubs in Cairo and across the rest of the country feature large dance floors.
Belly dancing is a popular nightlife activity in Egypt. The best way to see belly dancers is to go to one of the many local and tourist venues to see live performances. Some tours include dinner and a belly dancing show.
Dating Tips
Egyptian Women
Before considering dating an Egyptian woman, one must strive to understand aspects of Egyptian culture and the religious connotations that accompany it.
However, in Egypt's modernizing world, you never know who you might meet. It can be tough to date traditional Egyptian women as a foreign man, but it is possible.
Egyptian Men
From what a few foreign women have told me, Egyptian men can sometimes be aggressive.
I don't begin to know all the complications of a foreign woman dating an Egyptian man, but I know that many local men are happy and eager to talk with them.
As for dating people anywhere in the world, I recommend researching and reading about cultural and background differences before getting into a deep relationship. There can be many cross-cultural misunderstandings.
Sex in Egypt
Premarital sex is socially and religiously sensitive in Egypt. Travelers should be discreet, practice safer sex, and not assume that contraception or sexual-health services will be as readily accessible as they are at home.
