Rabat Nightlife

This long awaited Grand Opening of a premier private restaurant and lounge was very disappointing. My expectation of this high end establishment was to see something new hit the Rabat nightlife scene, this was not delivered.

The club is clean, dim lit and the sound system is balanced and nice. The jazz music and DJ selections are agreeable as well. Decor is upscale with good furniture but with the Moroccan oriental cabaret style set up. The tables and chairs are touching each other and you literally are sitting rubbing elbows with your neighbor.
The Bar service is good but the wait staff has a very short sided attention span. They will stand by your table when they have just brought you your drinks then remain there just starring, very disturbing. Then, when you need a drink they are either talking or zoned out until you practically tackle them for another order.
The American Singer is outstanding and that is the best thing going for the club. She has an amazing voice and really works hard to get the croud to show some life and they respond to her.
The food is good and the plating is nice, compliments to the chef.

In my humble opinion the atmosphere is what really needs to be attended to. There is a snubbish feel to the air that really takes away from the mood. The sense of arrogance from the staff that really does not support Good Customer and Client relations. This club was anticipated to bring something new and unique to the Rabat nightlife that is desperately needed and it failed at the ever so important first impression. Perhaps the club will make some supporting changes to not fall into the Rabat mold of the other clubs and bars of the area. I would offer the following areas to work on:
1) Modify the floor plan to give the room a bigger feel and not soo cramped. Spread the tables out and not have them on touching each other. True, you will lose some seats but in the long run you will keep more clients beacuse they are comfortable and are able to have a little bit of privacy when conversing with their guests when they go out.
2) Train your wait staff with genuine customer service skills. Show them to be attentive but not intrusive, have them focus on their tables and anticipate drink orders, set-up requests. Have them recommend food, drink, specials and to explain the pricing and service protocals to the clients. If they have foreign guests that do not speak French or Arabic have them designate the staff that does speak their language to wait on them. If you do not have a multi-lingual wait staff, HIRE THEM!!!
3) The security staff is great, a good presence and they are very polite and attentive, Good Job.

Finally consider bringing something to the club in addition to the live music to make it unique, either a cultural floor show or some type of hook that is different from the others.

If they can focus on evolving the atmosphere they could really have something special. The venue space is exceptional and the potential is there. It would be unfortunate for this to fall into the same Black Suit, nose in the air-Snobbish, un-customer friendly and tourist repeller as the other establishments in the city.
Let's see what happens, only time will tell...

Dress Code: Upscale Club Attire.