Top Liveliest Bars In Marrakech, Morocco
With plenty to do by day and by night, Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most popular tourist destinations. The frenetic souks, historic sites, and energetic Djemaa el Fna keep people captivated by day, and there are numerous museums, art galleries, shopping centres, and gardens for even more diversity. After night falls, there’s no reason for the fun to end; the Red City has heaps of great bars and clubs to keep you out until the small hours. Here are ten of the all-time best bars to visit on your trip to Marrakech. Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.
Faktory’z
Located in Gueliz, the colonial part of Marrakech, Faktory’z is a fairly new addition to the city’s night scene. The self-described coyote bar is open each night of the week until 2am, with energetic dancers showing their moves on the bar and in balconies and live music throbbing through the air. The three-level bar has a somewhat Americana vibe, with retro décor from the USA mixed with gleaming chrome, bare brick walls, and glass floors. You’ll find almost any drink you desire here, from Moroccan wines, beers, and cocktails to premium-brand spirits and soft drinks. There’s a food menu too, with items like burgers, salads, and meat brochettes, although most people come for the drinks, dancing, and fun.
L’Epicurien
Part of the high-class Es Saadi resort in the upmarket area of Hivernage, L’Epicurien is a glamourous bar with live entertainment. Between the two resident DJs and the live band, the tunes are always crowd pleasers. Get up for a dance or sit and take in the sights over a few drinks, a night here is always fun. Sparkling crystal chandeliers, polished mahogany woodwork, large mirrors, and plush tapestries add to the air of decadence. For even more energy, pop into Theatro Nightclub, also within the resort complex, for dancers, jugglers, acrobats, and a totally unique night out in Marrakech.
Nikki Beach
A place to cool down by day and heat up by night, Nikki Beach is a complex of bars, restaurants, and swimming pools in the Palmeraies area of Marrakech. A casual-lux place to party in the evenings, the DJ keeps the crowd happy, enticing people onto the dance floor. Food is available too, blending the tastes of Italy and Asia, and the drink menu is expensive. Sip on a cocktail, take a dip in a pool, and shimmy on the dance floor.
555 Famous Club
Although fairly small, 555 Famous Club packs a punch when it comes to the fun factor. The expensive prices are worth it for people who love to see and be seen; it attracts the international jet set, celebrities, and affluent locals. The music is diverse, with dance tunes, pop, hip hop, R’n’B, and more. There are frequent promotions whereby ladies can drink for free or cheap, helping to keep costs down. Food is served, though most people go here for the clubbing vibes and drinks. It’s one of the most well-known bars in Marrakech.
SO Lounge
Within the top-class Sofitel hotel, the refined SO Lounge is always filled with a fun-loving crowd. Sit next to the fountain and underneath the stars in the outside area or sway to the sounds from the DJ on the dance floor inside. A live band sometimes plays too. There’s a separate chilled-out area for smoking shisha and a selection of international and traditional Moroccan food is available as well. The drinks menu is extensive, with cocktails a favourite choice among visitors. Don’t want to drink? No problem — head to the alcohol-free zone for all the fun minus the booze.
Pacha
Part of the internationally known chain, Marrakech’s Pacha is located close to the Agdal Gardens along the busy Avenue Mohammed VI. Open each night of the week, it is busiest at weekends, attracting tourists and locals alike. Open until late each night, the club can fit up to 3000 people at any given time. It regularly hosts guest DJs in addition to the resident DJs. Part of a larger resort, the complex also has a restaurant and a pool bar in addition to the famous club. Be sure to dress to impress to avoid being turned away at the door.
Le Bar Churchill
For a sophisticated and classy night out in Marrakech, it’s hard to beat the refined Le Bar Churchill. Part of the five-star La Mamounia Palace Hotel, the bar oozes style and opulence. Open to hotel guests and non-residents alike, do note that a smart dress code is in place for the bar and all other public areas of the hotel. Ambient jazz music lilts through the air and monochrome portraits of jazz legends peer down from the luscious padded red leather walls. Sashay across the animal print carpet before settling down into a sumptuous black velvet armchair to sip on a drink and enjoy a selection of bar nibbles. Open from Wednesdays to Saturdays each week, it’s a great place to get into the vibe before heading off elsewhere for late-night shenanigans.
Mama Afrika
If you’re not too bothered about drinking alcohol, the youthful Mama Afrika is a hip spot to hang out in the evenings. The blended fruit smoothies and mocktails are so tasty, however, that you may well forget that there’s no liquor in your ‘cocktail.’ Serving an array of food too, it’s a top spot for eating, drinking, chatting, and chilling. There are regular live bands to keep the energy levels up, including reggae groups and traditional Moroccan music. Open until 11pm most nights, it’s a great place to end your day on a high note or catch up with friends and get into the partying mood before continuing your night time adventures elsewhere in the city.
Mariinski
Bringing all the sensuality of Russia to the heart of Marrakech, Mariinski is sultry, sexy, and vibrant. Cabaret dancers clad in exotic attire, luxurious baroque decor, intricately carved woodwork, plush fabric, and an extensive drinks menu await you here. Eclectic and electric beats pulse through the charged air, really breathing life into the scene. Open until late each night, it’s a place that will likely entice you to stay out later than you first planned. Chic with flashes of the erotic, it definitely promises to be a unique night out in the Red City.
Sky Bar
There are few better rooftop bars in Marrakech than the lovely Sky Bar. Perched atop the Renaissance Hotel, the bar is generally very busy. Food is available as well as drinks, and sunset is a particularly popular time to visit. Offering sweeping views over Marrakech, with many iconic sights visible in the skyline, it’s among one of the most romantic spots in the city for a sundowner. On a cloud-free day you should be able to see all the way to the peaks of the Atlas Mountains. If the temperatures are a bit too warm for your liking, you can sit indoors in air-conditioned comfort.