Curfew entertainment

For the past month, much of Cairo’s social scene has moved indoors. People watch television, experiment with cooking, eat, post their activity on Twitter, and spend the evening with family. With predictions of pregnancy and weight gain, or new recipes made from food found in the pantry, and unsatisfied hunger with no restaurants delivering, much of Cairo’s Twitterati spend their nights chatting about the contextually mundane. It might be news of a watering hole nearby that defies curfew, a delivery chain with motorcyclists up all night or advice about what you can make with chickpeas, chicken and pickles.

Not for all, however — the stronger willed party group have learned how to party during the day or defy curfew. Tamarai and the recently-opened Cloud 11 now promote afternoon parties on Fridays and have their weekday parties start at 6 pm so people can head home if they choose by 10 pm.

“At the Cairo Jazz Club, we’re open from 5 pm. Bands start at 8 pm and DJ’s from 7 pm so we can close by 10.30 pm,” says Sara al-Redy, manager of marketing Cairo Jazz Club. Gradually, the crowd has returned to pre-curfew size, but DJs are drawing more of a crowd than bands.

“The crowd is the same, the young party goers,” adds Redy,

Redy says the Cairo Jazz Club won’t stay open after curfew to protect clients. “We’re located near a number of checkpoints and we don’t want people getting in trouble.”

Amr Hosny, founder of the Cloud 11 parties on the roof of the Kempinski Hotel is also following curfew rules. “Staying out till 5 am is for the die hard clubbing crowd and Cloud 11 has a more lounge-y vibe to it.” For Hosny, the location and view from the roof are perfect for the “Sunset Sessions” he has planned for Fridays. “Launch night last weekend was good,” he says.

Individuals have come up with their own party solutions as well. “We have parties at each other’s homes,” says Amina Saad, a Heliopolis resident. “We turn them into sleepovers or make sure we’re at a house that’s close to our own homes.” Saad ensure that no-one tries to cross districts after curfew.

“Many restaurants and cafes in residential areas stay open after curfew,” says Sherif Azim, who works and resides in Maadi. Azim claims that Road 9’s, Beano’s, Vinny’s and Tutti Matti are all packed from 11 pm until at least 1 am. “We all spend the night here,” says Anwar Ahmed, a waiter at Beano’s.

Dina Ibrahim, a working mother of three, gets a nanny to spend the night when she goes out. “Heading out to meet friends is a great stress reliever for me,” she explains. Ibrahim chooses not to stay out after curfew though. “I would hate to be stuck at an army checkpoint and have something happen at home.”

“Because we’re out at work until curfew, it’s a blessing to find spots open after curfew for a bite and a drink,” says Mohamed Farid. For Farid and his co-workers, being held up at an army checkpoint is an inevitability. “You just have to wait it out and be ready for the car searches,” he says. “If you have a reason to be out late, they will eventually let you go.” Farid’s longest trip from Mohandiseen to his home in Maadi: four hours.