Where to Find the Best Nightlife in Essaouira: Local’s 9 Top Picks

If you’re wondering where to find the best nightlife in Essaouira, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve lived in Essaouira since January of 2023 and know all about some of the best things to do in Essaouira at night.

That being said, Essaouira isn’t a HUGE party town. There are only a few nightclubs here that are open until the early hours of the morning (between 2:00 am and 4:00 am), but that’s about it.

Generally speaking, you’ll have to go to Marrakech if you want to party hard and see female acrobats breathe fire as they fly through the air with the greatest of ease.

However, Essaouira is a very popular town among tourists. Therefore, as more visitors and expats move into the area, the number of bars and nightclubs grows exponentially – even in the short time that I’ve been here.

But, as you probably already guessed, not all bars and nightclubs in Essaouira are equal. Some downright suck and should be avoided at all costs.

So, I am gonna share all my epic tips on what bars and clubs are hot and what places are most definitely not. This way you can enjoy the best things to do at night in Essaouira and make the most of your time in Essaouira.

Therefore, let’s blow this popsicle stand wide open and discover all of the coolest things to do in Essaouira at night.

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Best Bars in Essaouira

It’s not hard to find and drink alcohol in Essaouira. In fact, there are many cool bars in Essaouira. You just need to know where to go and what to expect from these local hot spots.

In general, MOST of the bars in Essaouira don’t stay open super late. They might stay open til 11:00 pm or 12:00 am (LATEST) and are just cool places to stop for a drink and watch the sunset.

With that in mind, here are my picks for all the all-time best bars in Essaouira that you need to visit right now if you want to enjoy some of the coolest things to do in Essaouira at night.

1. Ocean Vagabond

Ocean Vagabond is probably one of my favorite bars in Essaouira for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s right near my house.

Secondly, it’s right on the beach. Is it a popular nightlife spot in Essaouira? You betcha! So, get here early if you want to watch the sunset. You also 100% will not have this place to yourself since it’s not a hidden gem.

But, I love that the vibe here is very chill and then you can order a drink, sip on it, and watch the people, camels, and kite surfers walk along the beach.

The seats are also super comfy (lots of thick cushions) and overlook the beach in Essaouira. There is also lots of shade. So, you don’t have to worry about getting sunburned if you arrive before sunset.

I like to come here for the margaritas and the beer. Just be aware that they close kind of early and that you won’t be out much past 10:30 pm. It’s also NOT cheap, so you will spend $$$ here.

Local Tip: This place is all the way at the end of the beach. So, it will probably take you 20 or 30 minutes to walk here from the Medina. Alternatively, you could take a taxi for 8 Dirhams.

They also serve a nice Essaouira breakfast if you want to avoid the crowds.

2. Beach and Friends

Beach and Friends is another great bar in Essaouira that overlooks the ocean and that sits all the way at the end of the beach, near Ocean Vagabond.

The tapas are great but I prefer Ocean Vagabond since there’s no loud music, strobe lights, or crazy drunk people.

In contrast, once the sun goes down, the music cranks up at Beach and Friends as people hit the dance floor and party the night away until 2:00 am.

It’s not bad it’s just that I’m not big into that type of club vibe. But, the seating here is awesome and they have these huge loungers and couches that you can sit on as you look out onto the beach.

So, if you feel like I do about loud music and dance clubs then stop by before sunset and order wine, beer, or a cocktail.

This way you’ll have a place to watch the sunset and can leave before the late-night crowd strolls in.

3. Alhafra

I am putting this bar in Essaouira on the list because it’s very much a hole-in-the-wall, local joint that most people don’t know about.

It is 100% nothing fancy, However, if you’re looking for a cheap dive bar where you can meet locals and order beer for 20 Dirhams ($2.00) then this is the perfect place in Essaouira for you.

Word of warning, the drunk locals here can sometimes get a smidge aggressive, especially with solo female travelers.

It’s a safe place to go in Essaouira. But, you may want to skip it if you’re traveling alone or want to wear a more revealing outfit in Essaouira.

However, I love this place since Tarik is awesome and will serve you olives, chickpeas, and delish Moroccan wine.

Sure, there’s no sign out front and you never know what’s on the menu. But, that’s part of the charm of this place. It’s also a great spot to watch a local football match.

Just know that smoking is permitted inside. So, if you’re sensitive to smoke then you may want to give this place a pass.

4. Restaurant D’Jazy

This is a great place for the best nightlife in Essaouira if you’re looking for a chill night out since this spot is all about amazing, live jazz music.

Yeah, the singers (I’m referring to Hafid in particular) and musicians are AMAZING and put on a show that will quite literally blow your mind.

Plus, Ben owns this spot and is just an all-around amazing human who goes out of his way to make sure you’re having a great time.

Additionally, they are open until 1:30 am and serve awesome food. So, order the swordfish and pair it with a whiskey sour or a mojito since drinks are well-priced at 100 Dirhams each.

So, this is a great spot for all my fellow music lovers who are looking for a fun, but relaxed, night out in Essaouira.

Best Night Clubs in Essaouira

As I mentioned earlier, Essaouira isn’t the place to go if you want to party like a rockstar, get wasted, and stumble home at 6:00 am.

However, there are a handful of nightclubs in Essaouira where you can listen to live music from a local DJ and party the night away until 2:00 am or 4:00 am.

So, here are my picks for the best nightclubs in Essaouira.

5. Taros

Located right off of Place Moulay Hassan (near Rue Skala) in the Medina, Taros is kind of like a fusion bar and nightclub. It sits on the roof, has tables that overlook the ocean, and features a giant DJ setup in the middle of the restaurant.

Essentially, stop by before sunset if you want to grab a drink, admire the view, and watch the sunset in relative peace.

However, if you want to party the night away and rock out to live music then stop by after 10:00 pm when this bar becomes the most popular nightclub in Essaouira.

You’ll even find a bouncer at the front door and will be delighted to know that they regularly stay open until 2:00 am on the weekends.

They do serve food but I think it sucks and is overpriced. So, I would just stop by for a drink and to soak up the overall feel of this nightlife hot spot.

Just don’t expect the drinks to be super cheap since the last time I was here I paid 45 Dirhams ($4.50) for a Casablanca beer. Yeah, I think the cocktails are a bit more expensive.

6. So Lounge Mogador

If you don’t mind doing a day trip from Essaouira to Diabat then head to the Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa hotel and party the night away at So Lounge.

This epic nightclub in Essaouira opens at 11:00 am and features live music/performances that don’t stop until 4:00 am.

The facility is also located in a separate building within the bounds of the hotel’s property.

So, you can park out front and head inside. You don’t have to worry about being quiet since you’ll be far away from any guests staying at one of the top hotels in Essaouira.

It’s probably the best straight-up nightclub in Essaouira and be sure to make a reservation since some of the performances are amazing and sell out quickly.

Tickets are pretty reasonable and start at 150 or 200 Dirhams per person. It also gets crowded but isn’t packed with people. Yeah, I hate clubs where you feel like a sardine in a tin can.

Local Tip: Ozo is another nightclub in Essaouira but it sucks and you should NOT got there for the best nightlife in Essaouira. They also have an outpost that is one of the best nightclubs in Marrakech.

7. Beytt Mogador

If you’re looking for a bar/restaurant in Essaouira with a club vibe then head to Beytt Mogador.

It’s located in the middle of the beach and is a great place to dance the night away since the music comes on and the dance floor comes alive between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm.

They also stay open until around 2:00 am. So, no need to worry about cutting your night short.

I have been here a bunch and love coming here for dinner since the service is great and Nasser is a wonderful host who just wants everyone to be happy.

I ordered the quinoa salad and fish tacos during my last visit and have zero regrets. But, the tiramisu was my fave and I loved digging into my desert as I watched the sunset.

In terms of drinks, I usually order a cocktail from the semi-circular bar with art deco decor. It is a great place to stop before hitting the dance floor and listening to live DJs and musicians perform on their killer sound system.

Other Fun Things to Do in Essaouira at Night

8. Salut Maroc

Part rooftop bar, part riad in Essaouira, and part theater, Salut Maroc is a great place to go in the evening if you want to grab a drink and do something cultural.

In addition to having an amazing rooftop, Salut Maroc features fun musical performances that you can enjoy while eating dinner at their on-site restaurant.

These concerts are held Friday through Sunday and performed by Amin Kamal and the Prophets, a group that creates fun Magrebi and Gnawa fusion music.

I also love the vibrant decor and suggest you have your camera ready since this place is super Instagrammable.

FYI, I also get the Rose Blush (prosecco, rose syrup, and rose water) for 130 Dirhams ($13.00) and the goat cheese croquettes every time I stop by.

9. Caravane Cafe

The first thing that you need to know about Caravane Cafe is that it is one of the most popular restaurants and cafes in Essaouira. Therefore, make a reservation before you visit this amazing place.

See, the decor is super cool and features colorful walls, vintage furniture, and fun portraits of shahs since this riad was originally purchased by French artist Didier Spindler to showcase his unique art.

Today, it is an amazing restaurant where you can enjoy free rum punch and see magicians, fire breathers, and acrobats strolling through the dining room.

Yup. talk about a unique dining experience. The food is also really good and you can enjoy personal faves like lamb shank and Camembert nuggets.

Everything is also pretty reasonably priced since entrees start at around 70 Dirhams ($7.00) each.

Map of the Best Nightlife in Essaouira

That wraps up this guide to the best nightlife in Essaouira. Did your fave things to do in Essaouira at night make the list? If not then let me know.

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