Before we even seriously considered moving here, Hamra quickly percolated to the top of the list of areas we were interested in. It’s a reasonably diverse, though predominantly Muslim, neighborhood with all manner of little joints and crazy characters. The atmosphere is buoyant. Around 5 or 6pm, it seems like the whole neighborhood starts getting rambunctious. Last night we came home at around half past midnight and there were still people having conversations from their balconies with friends in the street.
However, walking around at night also gives you the impression of a Hamra that once was. In the unlit signs and padlocked doors of the joints that have gone before, you can see the shadowy footprint of the neighborhood that used to be. My personal favorites:
- Fly-High
The Limelight
Jackie O’s
Al-Jazz (which is actually right next door to us)
Rock Inn