The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

This Bistro is the newest nightlife addition to the Sheikh Zayed after-dark scene, and the intimacy of the place will remind you of why you chose to remain a resident of this expensive city away from downtown. There are classy light fixtures, a charming bar and a beautiful fireplace in the middle of the venue, and there are plenty of tables where you can drink outside in the summertime. This old-fashioned bar hybrid is both beautiful and eccentric, so you’d be hard-pressed to stay for more than a few drinks. If you want to play it safe, make a reservation otherwise, you may not find a place to sit, especially on weekends.

We headed there on the weekend just before 9 PM, and luckily we found a place inside because the outside was freezing even with the heaters on. We got a cosy spot next to the fireplace and asked the bartender to tell us about their bar drink selection. He advised us to get one Whiskey with Cinnamon (220 LE), and we got intrigued by the Gin Cucumber Cocktail (220 LE) to kick start our night out. Both cocktails were delicious and somewhat different; the cinnamon was strong and vibrant in the whiskey cocktail. At the same time, the cucumber and gin had a bittersweet aftertaste that resembles the trendy Japanese flavour profile. Alongside those drinks, we ordered one serving of Shrimps Skewers (245 LE) to share – the portion was relatively small, but the seasoning on the tender grilled shrimp was delicious.

We got curious to try the Whiskey Infused Mushroom (220 LE) and the Vodka Infused Thyme (220 LE) for our second round of drinks – both sounded new and adventurous. The mushroom cocktail had quite the edge; the earthy tones of the mushroom meshed well with the whiskey’s subtle boozy taste, resulting in a very memorable experience. The same goes for the thyme cocktail, where the herbaceous flavour brought the vodka to another classy level. Both cocktails were quite a palette change than your regular soda mixed cocktails, but we couldn’t help ourselves to another starter to share with this classy round. We ordered the Lime Chicken Wings (160 LE), an excellent appetiser for a mid cocktail session. The creamy, citrusy wings had a tangy taste that perfectly matched our herb-infused choices.

Our experience at Angelique was satisfying and enjoyable; everything was excellent, from the unique atmosphere to the impressive selection of creative drinks. What really makes this a very convenient night-out is that the prices are within range for a neighbourhood bar – so visit them next time you’re too lazy to go into the city for a fancy night out.