Aleppo Nightlife Tips by call_me_rhia

Nightlife Spot: bimaristan arghan

OK let's start from the beginning... there are still a handful of whirling dervishes in Syria, not many.. so it's down to a bit of luck to have the opportunity to see them dancing. At least 2 of these groups are baased in the Aleppo area, and one of them occasionally performs in the olf hospital/asylum Bimaristan Arghan. The best way to find out about dances is to drop by the hospital during the day and inquire there. I was lucky: I had the pleasure to see the dervishes on New Years Eve 2002/03! Magical! They charged 500 Syrian pounds for the performance

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Theme: Dancing
Dress Code: Dressed... and since it's open air, if you're there in winter, dress very warmly!
Directions: in th old town, in a traffic free area. The closest gate is Kinsreeen Gate: from there it's a maze of tiny alleys, so just ask for directions

Nightlife Spot: baron hotel bar

The Baron hotel is a real institution... gothic, mysterious, spooky, and maybe slightly melanchonic-looking... but it's a great wonderful place to go fro a few drinks in the evening. The bar is really tiny and cosy - and it's very easy to meet other travellers. If this is not enough for you, then think about the fact that the likes of Lawrence of Arabia, Agatha Christie, Roosevelt and Yuri Garaging have all stayed and drank there. Not enough? Well, then think of former royalties: King Gustav & Queen Louise of Sweden; King Faysal I of Iraq; Queen Ingrid of Denmark, and so on and so forth. And btw, in case you are wondering: no, it's not a posh or snobby place to go... so try it!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: casual is more than fine.
Phone: 221 08 80
Address: sharia al baron
Directions: in the new town, not far from the clock tower