Nightlife and Bars in Essaouira: The Complete List
Last Updated on 24th January 2026 by Jessie
Looking for a night out in Essaouira? This guide highlights top bars, live music venues, beachside lounges, and local evening hotspots to enjoy the city after dark.
If you’re seeking a bit of nightlife on Morocco’s surf coast, Essaouira is your best bet. The small coastal city has a good bunch of quality places for an arvo sundowner or a little wine and dine. Here is the complete list of bars in Essaouira, Morocco.
I use affiliate links throughout my posts. This means that if you make a purchase through any of the links, I’ll get paid a small percentage – with no additional cost to you. I appreciate any and all support to keep me afloat so I can continue bringing honest, accurate travel tips to you.
Moroccan Travel Essentials
- First and foremost, get travel insurance with SafetyWing. They’re super affordable and one of the few companies that let you buy insurance mid-trip.
- Book the dreamiest Moroccan abode on Booking.com. They’re my go-to for accomodation because you can save loooaads with their loyalty discounts.
- Or if you’re after the one-stop-shop, BookSurfCamps is the best place to find surf camp packages in Morocco.
- Find the best local tours with GetYourGuide. It’s the easiest way to visit places like Paradise Valley or Timlalin Dunes.
- Make sure you’re connected as soon as you get off the plane with Airalo’s Moroccan eSIM.
- Set up a Wise travel card to save on international transaction fees.
- And if you’re working online (or want to watch Netflix in your downtime) I highly recommend getting set up with a SurfShark VPN.
And you’re sorted.
Nightlife and Bars in Essaouira
Beach and Friends
Bar & Restaurant
Beach and Friends is a laidback beachfront bar with ocean views, making it one of the best bars in Essaouira for a sundowner. They often host DJs and live music, bringing a bit of a Bali beach party atmosphere.
It’s got a casual vibe, with reasonably priced wine, beers and cocktails. The menu at Beach & Friends offers a mix of Moroccan and international dishes, with a big emphasis on seafood and fresh flavours.
GETTING THERE: Beach and Friends is a bit of a trek from the main hub of Essaouira. If you’re staying in or around the medina, you can catch a Petit taxi for 8dh (€0.80).
Ocean Vagabond
Bar & Restaurant
Another of the beachfront bars in Essaouira, Ocean Vagabond, sits just a few doors down from Beach and Friends. With live music, friendly staff and a caravan of camels striding past along the beachfront, Ocean Vagabond is the perfect spot for a laidback Larry afternoon in Essaouira.
The menu has the basics covered with burgers and wood-fired pizzas, plus a bit of a bistro flair with some swankier dishes. They’ve got a great range of cocktails and a 2-for-1 happy hour deal.
GETTING THERE: As above, you can catch an 8dh (€0.80) flat-rate Petit taxi from the Medina.
Taros
Bar & Restaurant
Taros is one of Essaouira’s most iconic nightlife spots, located near Place Moulay Hassan. It’s got a multi-level setup with a rooftop terrace offering epic sunset views. Taros serves Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine alongside a good selection of cocktails, wine, and beer.(Though a little overpriced and underwhelming).
Taros regularly hosts live music, including blues and local Gnaoua bands, which transition to DJ sets later in the evening. It’s the go-to spot for a proper party in Essaouira, with music pumping into the early hours.
Mega Loft by Othman Chic
Café & Art Gallery
Mega Loft is a four-floor, bohemian-style café and art gallery located in the centre of Essaouira. Reflecting the artsy community that Essaouira attracts, Mega Loft has a warm, funky, laid-back feel to it.
Mega Loft serves as the chill older brother to Taros, also staying open until late but catering to a mellower crowd. One of the best bars in Essaouira for live music, every evening you can guarantee a rotation of DJs or Gnaoua bands.
Salut Maroc
Hotel Restaurant & Bar
Salut Maroc is worth visiting just for a squiz at the incredible interior decor. It’s an 18th-century riad in the heart of Essaouira that has been refashioned into the funkiest boutique hotel.
With panoramic ocean views from the rooftop, Salut Maroc is one of the best bars in Essaouira for a sunset special. It’s a bit more upmarket, boasting a generous range of wines and cocktails. The restaurant features a mix of freshly caught seafood and local Moroccan dishes.
Sky Lounge
Hotel Bar & Restaurant
Sky Lounge belongs to Hôtel des Îles, with an upstairs terrace overlooking Bab Sbaa (the gateway to the medina). Nothing to write home about in terms of the menu, but it’s not a bad spot for a beer while watching the human circus.
Il Mare
Restaurant & Bar
Il Mare is a swanky waterfront restaurant with a rooftop lounge and great ocean views. As per the name, the menu is seafood-heavy, featuring a lot of grilled fish and pasta dishes.
Prices are on the steeper side, making it a more upscale option. But there’s a section reserved for those just wanting to capitalise on the epic sunset views with a drink or two.
Restaurant D’Jazy
Jazz Bar & Restaurant
D’Jazy is one of the best bars in Essaouira for live music, in my opinion. Every evening from 9pm, you can expect a jazz/fusion band to grace your ears. With a cozy, low-key atmosphere, it’s a good spot for some well-priced drinks and well-played music.
Alhafra
Local Bar
Controversial opinion here, but I rate Alhafra as the best bar in Essaouira. You can also find it listed on Google Maps as ‘Unknown but Cheap‘, which pretty much sums up the place. It’s a hole-in-the-wall, dingy bar with not a lot going for it except cold, cheap beer.
Whilst drinking is not part of the Moroccan culture, Alhafra is predominantly frequented by locals. Expect a bar full of Moroccan men and cigarette smoke, plus a free bowl of lentils with your beers.
La Coupole
Restaurant & Bar
Bringing a similar atmosphere to the other beachfront bars in Essaouira, La Coupole is going for the trendy, Mediterranean beach club feel. Open-air, with ocean views, it’s a great spot for a casual lunch or a sunset bevvy.
The menu blends local Moroccan dishes with Med flavours, featuring dishes like pil-pil prawns, fried calamari and seasonal tapas. La Coupole has Moroccan and French wines, cocktails and beer on tap.
Caravane Café
Restaurant & Bar
Caravane Café is one of the most popular bars in Essaouira within the medina. Taking the idea of ‘dinner and a show’ to the next level, Caravane Café hosts live bands, magicians, and the occasional fire twirler.
It’s a vibrant, art-filled, Caribbean-esque riad with two separate dining areas. The restaurant offers both Moroccan and mixed-fusion dishes. Food and drinks are a little on the pricier side, but are made up for with the entertainment. Caravane Café gets pretty busy, so bookings are recommended.
Gusto Italia
Restaurant
Not exactly a bar, Gusto Italia is an Italian restaurant that also serves wine, so we’re lumping it in with bars in Essaouira nonetheless. Cozy ambience, with great wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta. Situated a few streets back from the main promenade, it’s a bit of a hidden gem.
Restaurant de La Baie
Restaurant & Bar
Restaurant de la Baie is another beachfront dining spot on Avenue Mohammed V. I’m not going to rank the bars in Essaouira, but I will say this one’s a little less popular than the rest.
Still, it’s a good casual spot just back from the beach. They serve beer, wine and seafood, and the prices aren’t too steep.
Beytt Mogador
Bar & Restaurant
Yet another beachfront bar in Essaouira, Beytt Mogador adds to your options for live music, mixed fusion dining and sea views. Food and drinks are a little on the exy side, but they regularly host DJs and Gnaoua bands.
With drinks covered, check out my list of the top 10 things to do in Essaouira.
See my village guides for more local tips and tricks.
More tips:
- Bars and Nightlife in Taghazout
- Bars and Nightlife in Agadir
- 3-Day Essaouira Travel Itinerary
- Coworking Spaces in Essaouira
- Rug Shopping in Essaouira
For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.
