While you stroll around the bustling streets of Cairo there are unlimited bars and cafés to quench your robust thirst. The café or ahwa  is like our western culture bar or pub. They are the primary place for you to relax at the end of a day or late into the night gathering with friends. You can experiment with either of the 2 main staples of an ahwa. One is the shisha (the water pipe known elsewhere as hookah) and coffee that comes black and very strong served in little cups. Also there is the shai , a tea,  given to patrons in glasses rather than cups.

Ahwas and Cafes

Ahwas have an omniscient presence in Cairo, from the neighborhood dive in the poor areas to the luxurious elegance of a 5-star hotel.  If you are looking to get a feel of the real Cairo, the ahwa is just the place for you. Watch TV, read the newspaper or find yourself in a conversation with a local who speaks some English to enhance your trip to an ahwa.  You will find the largest concentration of ahwas located in downtown Cairo at the Townhouse Art Gallery. These places feature a comfortable mix of nationalities and locals. If you happen to be more adventurous you can enter into the Khan al Khalili business district. This well-known souk is home to the Fishawy, a cramped, busy and outrageously atmospheric famous ahwa designed with high ceilings and huge mirrors that allow you to watch the busy souk from several angles.

Bars and Pubs

If you are more interested in having a more western bar atmosphere there are places to meet your needs. Where ahwas can be found on virtually every street corner and alleyway, bars are certainly fewer in number. In these establishments’ spirits, cocktails and beer can be purchased at reasonable prices. The Library, a small but sophisticated bar, is efficient and serves first-rate drinks. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the Cairo sunset is at the Mojito, a half-restaurant half-lounge perched on the roof of the Nile Hilton. A few others can be found within the downtown Cairo area.

During your exciting tour of Cairo, it doesn’t matter whether you are sight-seeing or shopping because there are untold numbers of places to quench your thirst. Whether you choose to enter an ahwa or a more familiar style of bar you are surely going to have a pleasant time to remember.