By evening, Rabat's Atlantic light fades over the Bou Regreg and the city settles into a quieter rhythm than Casablanca or Marrakesh. You will find people strolling the medina and the kasbah quarter, filling café terraces, and drifting toward the newer districts for dinner and drinks.
Nightlife here is modest and spread out rather than concentrated in one strip. It suits visitors who want a relaxed evening of food, a drink in a pub or bar, and live music now and then, rather than a long night of clubbing. Several of the city's better-known drinking spots sit in the Agdal district, while the centre holds theatres and restaurants.
Where to go out in Rabat
1. Agdal
Agdal is the district most associated with going out for a drink in Rabat. The Irish/English theme pub Upstairs, on Avenue Michlifen, is here; it serves typical pub food with some vegetarian options, has live music now and then, and is noted as comfortable for women rather than men-only. El Rancho is also in Agdal.
This suits an easy, pub-style evening rather than a late club night. If you want a drink in a mixed, relaxed setting, Agdal is the area to head for.
2. Downtown Rabat
The centre is where you go for theatre and a sit-down evening. The Théâtre National Mohammed V on Avenue Moulay Rachid puts on performances each month, though it is not described as outstanding. Le Bistrot Pietri, at Place Pietri, is a modern chic restaurant and bar with live jazz on Tuesday and Friday nights and rock and roll on Saturdays; it is usually packed on weekends and a reservation is required for a table.
This suits a planned evening of dinner and a performance or live music. Note that the Pietri spot draws crowds at weekends, so book ahead if you want to eat there.
3. Around the Sofitel and the Interior Ministry
Le Deux Palais sits between the Sofitel and the Interior Ministry. It is described as a good place to watch a football match, inside or on the patio, with food that is pretty good. There is also a large, tranquil park next to the Hotel Sofitel where people run and play football, and you can use the Sofitel pool for a charge.
This suits a casual evening built around sport and a meal. It is a straightforward option if you want somewhere to eat and watch a match rather than a dedicated night out.
4. The clubbing scene
Amnesia, on Rue Monastir, is described as the hippest club in Rabat; if you like clubbing, you are advised to dress up. It is the only club the sources name.
This suits a night that runs later than a pub or restaurant. Treat it as the city's main clubbing option rather than one of many.
5. Other bars and restaurants
The sources also name Café Weimar, El Palatino, Ty Potes and Las Tapas as places to drink, without describing their character or location in detail. Royal Golf Dar es Salaam, open Tuesday to Sunday, is a quiet, spread-out domain of trees, flowers and water, and is described as somewhere to walk or play golf if you have money and a car.
These suit a low-key drink or a daytime-to-evening outing rather than a structured night on the town. Because the sources give no detail on the bars' atmosphere or hours, treat them as names to check rather than fixed plans.
How a night out unfolds
The sources do not describe local dining or going-out times in detail, so plan around what they do say: live music at Le Bistrot Pietri falls on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights, and that venue is busiest at weekends, when a reservation is needed. The club Amnesia is the option for a later night. Beyond this, the sources give no set hours for when people eat or how late venues run.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Mawazine — a festival of world music held annually in May, with Arab, African and international musicians performing at various scenes around the city. It has drawn criticism from some of the country's Muslim politicians, who have said it encourages immoral behaviour.
- Jazz au Chellah — a jazz festival organised each year in June by the ministry of culture, the city and the European delegation.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a clubbing scene in Rabat?
Yes, though the sources name only one club, Amnesia on Rue Monastir, described as the hippest club in Rabat, where you are advised to dress up.
Where can I hear live music?
Le Bistrot Pietri at Place Pietri has live jazz on Tuesday and Friday nights and rock and roll on Saturdays. Upstairs in Agdal has live music now and then.
Are there bars that are comfortable for women?
Upstairs in Agdal is noted as somewhere women will feel comfortable because it is not men-only.
When is the best time to catch a festival?
Mawazine runs annually in May and Jazz au Chellah each year in June.
Decide whether you want a pub evening in Agdal, dinner and live music downtown, or a later night at the club, then plan your evening around it.