 | Marrakesh Nightlife | Tips 1 - 10 of 51 |  |
Popular Nightlife | Miscellaneous Nightlife Tips | All Tips (51)  | |  |  | Chez Ali: Feasting and Fantasia | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
The Chez Ali experience has been established now for over 25 years! This purpose built 11 hectare arena, a few miles from Marrakesh offers the chance to experience the sights and sounds of Moroccan musicians and dancers, while eating a 5 course meal in caidal tents.
Afterwards, a mock up of a traditional Fantasia is held, with acrobatic horsemen, parades of horses, belly dancers, singers, fireworks, music and the sight and sound of charging horsemen simultaneously firing their rifles into the night sky!
Most of the tour groups offer trips to this night time spectacle, well worth a visit!
Yes, it is a tourist attraction, geared up for tour groups, but It's quite well presented.
As it was January, it was quite cold. The caidal tented rooms are heated, but the Fantasia is held outside, so I was glad of my coat, gloves and warm socks!
I'd dressed up a bit more than usual (It was my birthday, So I wanted to feel a bit smarter!)
Some diners entered into the spirit of the night by wearing jellabahs and 'toureg' style head wear ( Don't know if they'd come prepared, or had bought these items on arrival)
Photos taken as you arrive 20dh, but bring your own camera too! Leave a Comment Theme: Live MusicAddress: Chez Ali, MarrakeshPhone: 212 44307730Directions: On the Safi road. Large advertising hoardings point the way.Website: www.ilove-marrakesh.com/chezali.html Other Contact: chezali@cybernet.net.ma
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| | | | Djemaa El-Fna - the busy main square at night | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Here in this huge square in the medina is the focal point of Marrakech.
Many would agree with Paul Bowles, (probably the bestknown foreign writer who lived in and wrote about Morocco, immersed in Morocco's literary scene for about 50 years) who had said that without this square and the spectacles that go on in it Marrakech would be just another city.
Other than the souks this is where everything happens - not just the tourists here as the majority of the huge and lively crowd drawn here to entertain and be entertained are locals.
Lively at any time of the day it largely comes into into its own from dusk - rows and rows of open air food stalls with cooking aromas and smoke filling the air, attendants jostling for customers.
Here you will also find all sorts of entertainers each surrounded by spectators moving from one group onto the next - jugglers, musicians, story tellers, acrobats, snake charmers, performing monkeys - all trying to earn a few dirham for the show. In amongst this are the water sellers, henna ladies, knick knack sellers.
On the outskirts are the orange juice and fruit wagon stalls, music stalls and the surrounding restaurants and rooftop cafes in which you can retreat to absorb the atmosphere from the distance. Leave a Comment Theme: Eating and Drinking
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| | | | Paradise: Nightlife in Marrakech | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I didn't expect to see much of a nightlife in Marrakech - mainly because of it being a traditional Muslim country, meaning no alcohol etc.
That's why I was surprised to find out there are over 200 nightclubs in Marrakech (est. population 600 000). At least that's what the hotel receptionist told us. Well, we went into one that he reccomended. Of course it had to be the most expensive one, which we realised as soon as we payed the entrance fee, which was around 8 euro. It was so much above the standard we knew it was not ment for everyone.
The place itself didn't look anything spectacular, the decoration, the lightshow etc. The waiters and bartenders, however, wore bow ties and suits as if they were working in a high-class restaurant. On every table there was a bottle of mineral water, four glasses on paper coasters and popcorn and peanuts.
I defined my mission in this earthly life to try every beer I come across of. Well we tried Morrocan beer but it was too sweet for us as we were of course used to more European taste. So we continued the night with Heineken, which was the most expensive beer I have ever paid, as we had to pay over 6 euro for a miserable 0,33 bottle.
The music was also nothing extravagant: a mix of everything - pop, latino, r'n'b, hip hop, house, a few of their local hits, etc. Just like home.
The Morrocan people, like all Arabs I suppose, are very good dancers and it was amazing to watch them. Its obvious that they have a great sense of the rythm.
We were soon approached by a number of boys wanting to introduce ourselves and trying to impress us with stories of how they had a supporting role in "The Gladiator". Language barrier again represented the big problem as their English was anything but understandable, and unfortunately our French was even worse.
I was only truly horrified by the statue of a huge penguin (!) which jumped me from behind the corner as I was trying to find the girls room.
Well, when you are a blond European girl in an African country, you are invited everywhere regardless of the dress code. We dressed casual as we were working all day and had no problems going in, but felt like outsiders a little as everyone else was wearing designer clothes, full make up etc. Nevertheless, we were the attraction of the evening even though we tried to be invisible as the attention that was flattering at first made us feel somewhat paranoid as the evening went on. Leave a Comment Theme: NightclubAddress: Htel Mansour EddahbiDirections: It's situated in medina (city centre), very close to the King's Palace
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| | | | Djemma el Fnaa: Open air dining and theatre! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I loved visiting Djemma el Fnaa at night. My first night in Marrakesh, I headed here first. I'd heard so many reports of this place, mainly good, some were warnings.
I first went to The Argana cafe for mint tea, and a panoramic view of the square, before heading for the food stalls and enjoying my first meal at Aychas Number 1. (see my restaurant tips for more details)
I then strolled around, soaking up the atmosphere and sounds. I felt quite safe wandering by myself. I stopped to watch a few of the musicians and storytellers. While I was watching one group, one of the musicians came over, and led me by the hand to sit at the side of the group. I was made to feel very welcome. Although I didn't understand the stories, I enjoyed this experience, and it made my first night in Marrakesh very special.
I spent most of my evenings enjoying the music and atmosphere of Djemma el Fnaa.
In winter it can be very cold. I was pleased I'd packed my winter coat, gloves and fleece hat. (I wasn't expecting that I'd be wearing them in Marrakesh though!)
Dark clothes are probably best, as eating at the food stalls can result in spilt food..the benches are sometimes a distance from the table..if you're a shorty like me! Leave a Comment Theme: Live MusicAddress: Djemma el Fnaa, Marrakesh.Directions: From the Koutoubia Mosque, cross Ave. Mohammed V, head up the road in front of you (the one with the caleches parked!). You'll soon be heading into this chaotic square!
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| | | | Al Menara -Reflets & Merveilles: Marrakesh's latest big show! | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
Although I intended visiting this attraction, I received conflicting information about opening hours etc, plus it was very cold at night, so in the end I decided not to visit.
However, I thought I'd add this info, as it sounds quite impressive.
So, according to the blurb- It's a 65 minute spectacle, which illustrates the richness and diversity of Marrakesh and Morocco, with important moments in the citys history being unveiled during 12 scenes.
The backdrop is the 3 hectare Menara reflecting pool- (one of the worlds largest stages!)
Highlights include approx. 50 dancers,acrobats, comedians and a horseback rider, who glide across the water, assisted by hi- tech special effects,water screens (where giant images and videos are projected) and a firework display.
1st Dec - 31st March 1900hrs
1st April -30th Nov 2200hrs
250dh bleacher seating. free for under 12s accompanied by adult couple.
See my Things to do tips for more info on Menara Gardens
It's open air- so you might need a jacket unless in the summer.
bleacher seating- so dress for comfort! Leave a Comment Theme: OtherAddress: Menara GardensDirections: Place de la Liberte (Ave Mohammed V) Down Boulevard El Yarmouk, turn onto Ave de la Menara, at the end is the entrance to the gardens, then a 5 minute walk.
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