As Morocco's most cosmopolitan city, Casablanca has the country's liveliest after-dark scene, concentrated along the Ain Diab Corniche and in the smarter hotels and rooftops downtown. Alcohol is served mainly in licensed venues, hotels and dedicated bars and clubs rather than across the city, so the evening tends to gather where the sea breeze and the music are. Here is how to spend a night out.
The best of Casablanca
Ain Diab Corniche clubs
Nightlife. The seafront Corniche in the Ain Diab district is the engine of Casablanca's nightlife, lined with bars, lounges and nightclubs that fill late, especially at weekends. Dress smart for the club doors and expect the action to build well after midnight.
Rooftop bars
Bars. Several downtown and Corniche hotels run rooftop bars with views over the city or the Atlantic — an easy, relaxed way to start an evening with a sundowner before dinner. These licensed venues are among the more reliable spots for a drink in the city.
Live-music venues
Live music. Casablanca has a long musical heritage, and bars and lounges around Ain Diab and the centre host live jazz, Gnawa fusion and Moroccan pop on busy nights. Larger concerts and festivals appear through the year, so it is worth checking listings during your stay.
Seafront dining on the Corniche
Dining. Dinner is the heart of a Casablanca night out, and the Corniche is packed with restaurants serving fresh Atlantic seafood and Moroccan dishes facing the water. Tables run late and the promenade stays busy with families and strollers well into the evening.
Rick's Cafe
Dining. Inspired by the 1942 film, this restaurant and bar near the old medina recreates the movie's atmosphere with arches, a piano and period styling. It is a characterful, licensed spot for an evening drink or dinner and a fun nod to the city's cinematic fame.
Morocco Mall area
Nightlife. At the western end of the Corniche, the Morocco Mall and its surroundings stay lively after dark with cafes, restaurants, a musical fountain and an evening crowd. It is a family-friendly way to enjoy the seafront before the late venues get going.
Beach clubs and lounges
Nightlife. Along Ain Diab, several beach clubs transition from daytime pools and sun loungers into evening lounges and party venues with DJs and cocktails. They are a relaxed, sea-facing alternative to the formal nightclubs nearby.
Cafe culture and evening promenade
Cafes. Even without alcohol, Casablanca's evenings revolve around its cafes, where locals gather over mint tea and coffee until late. Strolling the Corniche or the downtown boulevards and people-watching from a terrace is the most authentic — and most universal — way to spend a Casablanca night.
Hotel bars and lounges
Bars. The city's international and business hotels run polished bars and lounges that are reliably licensed and welcoming to visitors. They suit a quieter drink, often with live piano or a DJ, and are a safe bet when you want a calm end to the evening.