9 Best Bars in Essaouira + Secret Local Tips

Is Essaouira a go-to spot to party like a rockstar and kick a little ass? Probably not. It’s a chill laid-back beach town where you can grab a drink at one of the best bars in Essaouira while watching the sunset.

Yes, there are clubs in Essaouira. Yes, there are bars in Essaouira. But, they are pretty low-key and a bit few and far between.

I mean, it’s not a city where you’d do a massive pub crawl and drink your way through town. Yeah, for that type of insane, alcohol-fueled fun head to Marrakech, not Essaouira.

The club and nightlife scene there is about 10,000 times better. Plus, anything goes, which is something that many of my friends love. TBH I’d probably love that if I was still in my 20’s, but I’m not.

In contrast, the nightlife scene in Essaouira is great if you want to enjoy a low-key evening sipping on a drink and chatting with friends.

Just don’t plan to stay out until 3:00 am since many local bars and restaurants won’t be open that late. Don’t get me wrong, people stay out, but they’re just not partying until the early hours of the morning.

But, if you temper your expectations and know where to get a solid drink, then you can enjoy a fun night out in Essaouira.

Sure, I’m not a big partier. But, I have lived in this city long enough (since January of 2023) to know where to get a good drink and where to see a killer sunset.

So, don’t spend another night in Essaouira bored at your hotel. Instead, check out this list of the best bars in Essaouira. This way you can enjoy a fun night own in one of my favorite cities in Morocco.

After all, the locals are friendly, the city is super safe, and you have some amazing beach bars to choose from. So, Essaouira is the perfect place to spend a night out on the town after chilling by the beach all day.

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1. Ocean Vagabond

Located all the way at the end of the Main Beach in Essaouira (right near Beach and Friends), it’ll take you around 20 or 30 minutes to walk here from the Medina.

FYI, you could take a taxi here and it will cost you 8 Dirhams ($0.80). Now, this bar in Essaouira is a bit shadier than Beach and Friends and has a food menu that features burgers and pizzas.

Generally, they close pretty early on Mondays and Tuesdays and are only open til around 10:30 pm the rest of the week. So, don’t expect to spend the entire night here.

However, you can stop by and relax at one of the tables in the sand. I love that you can see the beach as well as the camels, horses for horse riding tours in Essaouira, and kite surfers from your table.

I’ve had the lentil salad as well as the pasta arriabiata and the thin crust pizza. All were nice but not EPIC. I love to come here for the beer and the Magheritas.

Additionally, they sometimes have people playing live music which adds to the atmosphere. So, a great place to go to enjoy a chill night out during your one day in Essaouira.

Alternatively, you could avoid the crowds altogether and visit in the morning for breakfast in Essaouira.

2. Beach and Friends

This is probably one of my favorite bars in Essaouira. I come here quite a lot since I live right down the road and they serve amazing tapas.

I also love that this restaurant in Essaouira has a very chill, surf/beach vibe about it. So, you can grab a seat on the beach at a table encrusted with sand, play with some stray cats, and order some alcohol in Essaouira.

They serve beer (draft and by the bottle), wine, and cocktails in addition to tapas, burgers, and pizza.

Sip on a drink and watch a killer sunset as camels, horses, and quad bikes fly by on their way to Diabat. I usually like to stop by around six in the evening and order some tapas.

It’s a bit early TBH and I usually start with a drink. But, I like to get here early so that I can snag a table. This way I have a place to watch the sunset.

FYI, the music goes way up at night and you can hit the dance floor with a few friends. It’s not my thing since I find it to be a bit loud. But a lot of people love listening to live music here in the evening in Essaouira.

It’s not like an insane club or anything. However, the strobe lights come on and the music gets turned up a bit as people hit the dance floor.

3. Restaurant D’Jazy

Located just outside the Medina, this is one of the best bars in Essaouira since it is open well until 1:30 am and you can stop by after you go shopping in Essaouira.

Plus, this entire place also has fun and funky music-inspired decor that adds to the chill, super informal vibe.

It looks small but once you step inside the bar will open up and you can listen to live music from musicians who play killer jazz. FYI, it’s not a dance club and is just a good spot if you’re looking to chill and listen to good music.

Additionally, Ben owns this spot and is just a lovely human who goes out of his way to make everyone feel warm and welcome.

This is probably one of my favorite bars in Essaouira and I cannot recommend this place enough. Plus, they serve food if you start to get hungry.

If you’re not sure what to order, you can’t beat the swordfish and the whiskey sour and mojito were both great. Plus, the cocktails are very reasonably priced at 100 Dirhams ($10.00) each

Honestly, this is the place to go in Essaouira to listen to live music since Hafiid can sing like no other. It is truly incredible, making this one of the best nightlife spots in Essaouira.

4. MEGA Loft

I’ve been to MEGA Loft a bunch of times and have mixed feelings about this restaurant/bar/cafe in Essaouira.

First of all, the decor is lovely and this space is HUGE. So, thoroughly explore this 4-floor building and take tons of o photos of the super Instagrammable decor.

If you can, head ALL the way up to the tippity top. You can’t order food here but you can choose from an array of drinks like Moroccan Toureg (wine gris) which is my go-to order.

Just be aware that the upper rooftop isn’t very shady and just has floor seating. However, you can always chill at the tables and chairs on the floor below if you want to order food and drinks.

The last time we were here the food was okay, but not great. My partner ordered a pancake and they gave him potatoes with cheese and tried to tell him that’s what he ordered.

Yeah, I wasn’t super impressed and didn’t like how the staff handled their mistake by blaming us. Anyway, any time I eat here I leave feeling like the food is expensive and the quality is just okay.

So, I would chill on the roof, grab a drink, and listen to the live music that tends to crop up here most evenings. Yeah, the live musical performances are nice and one of the best things to do in Essaouira at night.

5. Taros

Located in the Medina, Taros is THE place to go if you’re looking for a nightclub in Essaouira. Yes, they do serve food but it sucks and I 100% would not recommend it.

It’s a fusion of French and Moroccan cusiine and the quality is just not very good. Personally, I would only stop by for drinks. Just access this bar in Essaouira from Place Moulay Hassan (near Rue Skala) and climb the stairs to the top.

There’s generally a bouncer at the door but everyone is welcome. So, bring the kids and the grandparents.

This is THE premier party spot in Essaouira. So, they have a live DJ that plays those beats until the early morning.

If you want to party, the best time to stop by is on the weekend when DJs can crank up the tunes until 2:00 am.

I like to stop by for the cocktail of the day and catch the sunset while I listen to awesome music. They also have good wifi and plenty of outlets. Just expect small drinks that are a bit pricey.

However, I did get a nice Casablanca beer the last time I was here for 45 Dirhams ($4.50).

Local Tip: If you want to watch the sunset then get here early since tables fill up quickly.

6. Il Mare

Located right near the Old Skala, I primarily come here for the drinks and the amazing views of the Old Skala and the Atlantic Ocean at sunset.

Just be aware that this is more of a fine-dining restaurant than a bar. So, don’t expect to party the night away here.

However, they do have a separate seating area if you’re just here for a few drinks. Once you climb the stairs, let the waiter know and he or she will escort you to the drinks area.

You can even listen to a live DJ perform some nights and sip on local beers as well as a variety of different cocktails like the mojitos which are quite nice.

Local Tip: If you want to stop by for dinner then try the seafood paella or the seafood tajine. Both are really nice.

7. Salut Maroc

This bar in Essaouira doubles as one of the best hotels in Essaouira. I like that they have a nice rooftop with lots of seating, cute art murals, and amazing views of the ocean.

They also serve drinks but what really makes this one of the best things to do in Essaouira in the evening is that they hold cool dinner concerts.

They are conducted in the evening from Friday through Sunday and include live, Magrebi and Gnawa fusion music from Amin Kamal and the Prophets.

The decor of this hotel is also stunning and makes this a cool place to take photos in Essaouira.

Every time I stop by I like to get the goat cheese croquettes. The cocktails are also nice but small. Additionally, nothing here is cheap so be prepared to spend a bit of money.

However, I tend to go with the Rose Blush (prosecco, rose syrup, and rose water), or the Espresso Martini. They both cost 130 Dirhams ($13.00) and are great to sip on as you watch the sunset.

8. Alhafra

This is one of those total hole-in-the-wall places where there is no sign out front and you’re not 100% sure what’s on the menu.

However, if you stop by one of the best bars in Essaouira then Tarik will hook you up and serve you amazing olives, Moroccan wine, chickpeas, and more.

They also serve great beers that are really cheap and only cost like 20 Dirhams ($2.00) each. There is also a local music group that sometimes stops by to perform live music in the evening.

So, if you’re looking for an awesome, cheap, and super local bar in Essaouira then this is the place to go. It’s also a good place to watch a football match.

However, smoking is allowed inside so be prepared for a bit of a smokey atmosphere. Also, this is more of a local bar.

Therefore, I would not recommend visiting as a solo woman since drunk men can hassle you and make you feel a smidge unsafe in Essaouira.

I would also think about what you’re wearing in Essaouira while you’re here and dress a bit more conservatively.

9. Beytt Mogador

Part restaurant and part bar, Beytt is an amazing place to go for drinks, dinner, or to party the night away. Just be aware that the music does start to get loud after around 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm.

This place stays open until 2:00 am and has a bouncer out front. But, pretty much everyone is welcome since the food is great and the service from Nasser is beyond exceptional.

He really cares and just wants everyone who comes here to have a really good time. The last time I visted I really loved the fish tacos and the quinoa salad.

The Tiramisu is also awesome and, if you time it right, you can even watch the sunset. Just don’t miss out on their cocktails since they are imaginative and taste delicious.

However, if you don’t want to eat then stop by after 10:00 pm, grab a drink at the semi-circuliar bar with art deco decor, and hit the dance floor. They have a killer sound system and book great live musicians and DJs.

All in all, this is a great place to go if you’re staying at one of the best hostels in Essaouira since this bar is located halfway down the beach near Essaouira Beach Hostel.

Map of the Best Bars in Essaouira

That wraps up this guide to the coolest bars in Essaouira. Did your fave make the list? If not then let me know.

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