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Almost all of Marrakech’s licensed bars sit in two neighbourhoods — the walkable Ville Nouvelle of Gueliz, and the upscale hotel belt of Hivernage. Here is where to drink in each, how much to expect to pay, and what the vibe is really like.
Yasmine El Amrani· Marrakech & Atlas Editor
Marrakech-born travel writer who has spent the last decade walking the medina’s souks and the High Atlas trails above Imlil. She covers the Red City, Berber villages and day trips into the mountains. Marrakech · 12+ years covering Morocco
Published 2 April 2026 Last updated 6 April 2026
If you’re staying in a riad in the medina and hoping to wander out for a cocktail, here’s the practical reality: the medina itself has almost no bars. Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, alcohol is legal but regulated, and licensed venues cluster firmly outside the old city walls. The two neighbourhoods where you can reliably find a drink are Gueliz (Marrakech’s French-era Ville Nouvelle, about 20–25 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna or a short petit taxi ride) and Hivernage (the city’s hotel and entertainment district, directly south of Gueliz).
That geographic reality shapes everything. Going out in Marrakech requires slightly more intention than in a European city — you need to leave your riad, cross the Koutoubia, and head west or southwest. The trade-off is that when you get there, the bars are genuinely good. Gueliz offers everything from colonial-era brasseries to low-key local dives; Hivernage brings hotel rooftop cocktail terraces and dinner-entertainment venues with belly dancing and DJ sets. Between them, the options cover most moods.
One practical note before diving in: prices below are indicative. Moroccan hospitality businesses update menus frequently, and a 10–20 MAD swing up or down from the figures here is normal. Always check the current menu at the door.
Typical hours
Noon–1 am (licensed premises), bars open later Fri–Sat
Beer price range
30–60 MAD (indicative)
Cocktail range
70–160 MAD (indicative)
Best for groups
Le Comptoir Darna, Jad Mahal
Best solo/pair
Grand Café de la Poste, Bar l'Escale
Alcohol areas
Gueliz & Hivernage (very limited in medina)
Gueliz is where most day-to-day drinking happens in Marrakech. The streets between Avenue Mohammed V and Rue de la Liberté hold the majority of accessible, mid-range licensed bars. Getting here from the medina takes about 20 minutes by foot or less than 10 MAD in a petit taxi.
Colonial-era brasserie bar
What’s on the menu
Moroccan wine, imported beer, gin & tonics
Indicative price
60–90 MAD a drink
Insider tip: The bar fills up from about 7 pm. Reserve a table on the terrace in summer — it is the most pleasant outdoor drinking spot in Gueliz.
Orientalist lounge with live entertainment
What’s on the menu
Signature cocktails, Moroccan rosé, spirits
Indicative price
80–130 MAD a cocktail
Insider tip: Belly dancing shows start around 9 pm most evenings. Go for the experience as much as the drinks — it is one of the few places in the city that does theatrical atmosphere well.
Multi-level lounge near Jemaa el-Fna
What’s on the menu
Cocktails, draught beer, Moroccan wine
Indicative price
55–85 MAD
Insider tip: The rooftop has stork nests on the old walls opposite — genuinely unusual. Arrive early for the 5 pm sunset slot, which fills quickly.
Unpretentious local bar, one of the city's oldest
What’s on the menu
Flag Spéciale, Casablanca beer, basic spirits
Indicative price
30–50 MAD
Insider tip: A no-frills spot popular with Moroccan men and expats. No cocktail menu, no ambience beyond fluorescent lighting and football on the television — but it is authentic and genuinely cheap.
Hivernage comes alive after dark — the hotel entertainment district is Marrakech’s most polished nightlife zone.
Hivernage sits directly south of Gueliz, dominated by five-star hotels and purpose-built entertainment complexes. Drinks cost more than in Gueliz — a cocktail at a rooftop hotel bar typically runs 100–160 MAD — but the settings are genuinely impressive, and the service tends to be slicker.
Luxury hotel rooftop pool bar
What’s on the menu
Premium cocktails, champagne, spirits
Indicative price
100–180 MAD
Insider tip: Non-guests can use the bar but not the pool area. Dress smartly — this is the most formal drinking spot in the city. The Atlas Mountains view at dusk is exceptional.
Sleek hotel bar with a design-forward interior
What’s on the menu
Molecular cocktails, international wine list
Indicative price
110–160 MAD
Insider tip: Best for a quiet drink rather than a party; the lounge fills with a well-heeled, largely international crowd. Strong selection of Moroccan Domaine du Sahari wines.
Indian-inspired dinner-bar fusion with late-night DJ
What’s on the menu
Cocktails, champagne, imported spirits
Indicative price
90–150 MAD
Insider tip: This is where Marrakech actually transitions from a bar to a club feel. The DJ picks up energy after 11 pm. Reservations recommended Thursday through Saturday.
A satisfying Marrakech evening tends to work in layers. Start in the medina: catch the last light on Jemaa el-Fna, weave through the Mouassine souk while it is still busy, maybe stop for a mint tea at one of the rooftop cafés overlooking the square. This part of the evening costs almost nothing and feels distinctly Moroccan. Then hail a petit taxi to Gueliz — 15–20 MAD from the medina — for your first proper drink.
Grand Café de la Poste is the easiest opener: it is on Avenue Echouhada, the terrace is comfortable, and the pace is unhurried. From there, Gueliz’s streets are walkable — you can move between venues without a taxi. If the evening calls for something more theatrical, the short ride south to Hivernage puts you at Le Comptoir Darna or Jad Mahal in ten minutes.
Getting back to the medina is easy until around midnight — petit taxis are plentiful on Avenue Mohammed V. After that, have a contact for a private taxi or use a ride-hailing app. If you’re based in Gueliz or Hivernage, the commute disappears entirely.
Booking a private evening city experience with a knowledgeable local guide can make a big difference, particularly if you want to understand what you’re looking at in the souks before the bar hop begins, or if you want someone to handle the logistics of getting between neighbourhoods.
Yes. Licensed bars in Gueliz and Hivernage are safe and well-run, catering to a mix of international visitors, expats, and Moroccan professionals. The areas themselves are well-lit and well-policed. The main precaution is standard city sense — keep an eye on your drink and your bag, and stick to licensed premises rather than accepting drinks from strangers in the medina. Solo travellers of all genders report feeling comfortable at established venues like Grand Café de la Poste or the hotel bars in Hivernage.
Hivernage edges out Gueliz for proper nightlife — it is home to Pacha Marrakech (the city's largest club), several hotel rooftop bars, and dinner-entertainment venues like Jad Mahal. Gueliz is better for a civilised evening drink in an accessible neighbourhood, with places like Grand Café de la Poste and Bar l'Escale. The medina has almost no bars — the handful that exist (Kosybar, a few riad hotel bars) operate quietly and tend to close earlier.
Most licensed bars in Gueliz serve until around midnight on weekdays and 1 am on weekends. Venues attached to clubs or entertainment spaces in Hivernage — Jad Mahal, the bar inside Pacha — run considerably later, often until 3–4 am on Friday and Saturday nights. Standard restaurant-bars like Grand Café de la Poste wind down by midnight even at weekends. If you want a genuinely late night, Hivernage is the district to be in.
At established, licensed venues in Gueliz and Hivernage — yes, without issue. Hotel bars, Grand Café de la Poste, Kosybar, and Le Comptoir Darna are all comfortable options for women alone or in groups. The dynamic at very local bars like Bar l'Escale is more male-dominated, and solo female visitors may prefer to give those a miss. As a general rule: any bar that has a visible female staff, a terrace visible from the street, and a mixed clientele is likely to be comfortable.
A 33 cl bottle of Casablanca or Flag Spéciale (Morocco's two main lagers) costs around 35–55 MAD (roughly $3.50–$5.50) at a mid-range bar in Gueliz; expect 55–80 MAD at hotel bars and rooftop venues in Hivernage. Some local dives like Bar l'Escale sell beer for as little as 30 MAD. Imported lagers and craft beers are available at a small number of upmarket venues and typically cost 70–100 MAD. All prices are indicative and subject to change.
Most mid-range bars in Gueliz are relaxed about dress — smart casual is fine. Hotel bars and entertainment venues in Hivernage (Sky Bar at Es Saadi, Jad Mahal, Le Comptoir Darna) tend to enforce smart-casual as a minimum; some have a no-shorts policy after 9 pm. Pacha Marrakech and the city's clubs are the most strict — trainers and beachwear are usually turned away at the door. As a rule, dressing slightly better than you think necessary will never cause a problem in Marrakech.
Yes — they serve distinct purposes. Gueliz (the Ville Nouvelle) is the more accessible, everyday drinking district: a mix of brasserie-bars, local dives, and café-bars spread across walkable streets lined with French-era architecture. Hivernage is Marrakech's upscale hotel and entertainment belt, designed around large five-star properties and dedicated venue spaces. Drinks in Hivernage cost noticeably more. A typical evening might start in Gueliz for early drinks at Grand Café de la Poste, then move to Hivernage for late dining and entertainment.
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