Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima is the northernmost region of Morocco, where the country meets the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. It combines the port city of Tangier and its Cap Spartel headland, the white-walled UNESCO medina of Tetouan, the blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen, the mural-covered Atlantic town of Asilah, the Mediterranean beaches of M'diq, Martil and Al Hoceima, and the wooded Rif mountains of Talassemtane National Park.
Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima has a mixed after-dark scene. Tangier has the region's best nightlife, with historic hotel bars, cliffside cafes and seafront promenades, while Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Al Hoceima are mostly quiet, with cafes and tea houses rather than bars. Alcohol is available only at licensed venues, mainly in Tangier hotels and a few restaurants in Asilah, M'diq and Martil. Summer in the resort towns of M'diq, Martil and Fnideq is livelier, with seafront promenades busy until after midnight.
The scene splits into three types: (1) cafe culture, with tea and sea views at Cafe Hafa, Petit Socco and the Chefchaouen square, (2) licensed hotel and Kasbah bars in Tangier such as Caid's Bar and the Nord-Pinus terrace, and (3) summer seafront promenades in M'diq, Martil and Fnideq. Nightclubs exist mainly in Tangier hotels and change often, so none are listed here because current names and opening nights could not be verified.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Cafe terraces peak 6PM to 10PM; Tangier hotel bars peak 8PM to 11PM; summer seafront promenades in M'diq, Martil and Fnideq stay busy until around 1AM in July and August.
- Average drink
- Beer 35-60 MAD (approx $3.80-6.50) · Cocktail 80-160 MAD (approx $8.60-17) · Wine glass 60-110 MAD (approx $6.50-12) · Soft drink 10-30 MAD (approx $1.10-3.20)
- Dress code
- Casual to smart-casual. Hotel bars expect neat clothing; shoulders and knees covered is advised when walking through the medina in the evening, especially for women. Swimwear is for pools and beaches only.
- Cover charge
- Morocco is a Muslim-majority country. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels, selected restaurants and bars; it is not sold in medina shops and public drinking is illegal. Many bars listed here are inside hotels. Opening hours change, especially in Ramadan, so confirm by phone before going.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Petit Socco and Rue Dar Baroud, Tangier Medina
The old square and its cafes stay busy until about 11PM, with the Hotel Continental terrace above the port.
Kasbah and Marshan, Tangier
Cliff-top cafes and terrace bars, including Cafe Hafa and the Nord-Pinus terrace, for sunset and evening drinks above the Strait.
Ville Nouvelle and Boulevard Pasteur, Tangier
Place de France, Gran Cafe de Paris and hotel bars on Boulevard Pasteur and Rue de la Liberté are the centre of licensed nightlife.
Plaza Uta el-Hammam, Chefchaouen
The main medina square is lively until about 10 or 11PM with restaurants and cafes facing the Kasbah. Alcohol is hard to find.
Feddan, Tetouan
The old square beside the medina fills with families and cafe-goers in the evening, especially in summer.
M'diq and Martil Corniches
Summer seafront promenades with ice cream shops, cafes and fish restaurants busy until past midnight in July and August.
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Caid's Bar, El Minzah Hotel
Known for: Licensed historic hotel bar, often cited as an inspiration for Rick's Cafe in the film Casablanca
85 Rue de la Liberté, Tangier 90000
Nord-Pinus Tanger Terrace Bar
Known for: Sundowner terrace bar above the Strait of Gibraltar with views toward Spain
11 Rue Riad Sultan, Kasbah, Tangier 90000
Tanger Inn Bar, Hotel Rembrandt
Known for: Small old-school bar with a literary past, said to have been frequented by Beat writers
Hotel Rembrandt, Boulevard Pasteur, Tangier 90000
Hotel Continental Terrace
Known for: Historic 1865 hotel terrace with port and sea views; alcohol availability varies, so confirm
36 Rue Dar Baroud, Tangier 90000
Cafe Hafa
Known for: Terraced cliffside cafe from 1921 serving mint tea and cakes with Strait views, a classic sunset spot (no alcohol)
Rue Hafa, Marshan, Tangier 90000
Cafe Central
Known for: Pavement cafe overlooking Petit Socco, the medina's best people-watching spot (no alcohol)
Petit Socco, Medina, Tangier 90000
Gran Cafe de Paris
Known for: Mid-century cafe on Place de France with a long literary and diplomatic history (no alcohol)
Place de France, Tangier 90000
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Le Mirage Nightclub
Cover: Varies; often includes one drink (approx 150-300 MAD / $16-32)
Hours: Typically from about 11PM to 4AM on weekends; confirm in season
Hotel club venues on the Tangier Bay promenade
Cover: Varies by night; some venues charge a minimum spend
Hours: Typically 10PM to 3AM on Friday and Saturday; summer-heavy
M'diq and Cabo Negro resort clubs
Cover: Varies; minimum spend common on summer weekends
Hours: Typically 11PM to 4AM in July and August; many close in winter
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Items
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Tangier medina alleys are poorly lit and quiet after about 10PM. Use a petit taxi (with a meter) from Grand Socco or Place de France and save your hotel's pin offline.
Insist on the meter; after 8PM a 50 percent night surcharge is normal in petit taxis.
Alcohol is not sold in medina shops and public drinking is illegal; drink only at licensed hotels and restaurants.
Do not photograph locals or religious sites at night without permission.
Reserve the Nord-Pinus terrace in advance for sunset; hours change seasonally.
Chefchaouen is mostly dry; the few places that serve alcohol are in hotels and may not advertise it.
Women traveling alone are generally safe on busy terraces and squares, but late-night medina walking alone is not advised.