Syria Nightlife Tips by call_me_rhia Top 5 Page for this destination

whirling dervishes followed by a drink @ the baron: aleppo

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WHIRLING DERVISHES
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 based 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.They charged 500 Syrian pounds for the performance.
DRINKS AT THE BARON HOTEL
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 go there!

Dress Code: both places are very informal. As the Bimaristan's "stage" is an open air stage, you may want to bring something warm in case it gets cold

Directions: Bimaristan: Old town, near Kinsreeen Gate
Baron: New town, Sharia al-Baron

Phone: 221 08 80 (baron)

Theme: Other

cham palace cinema: damascus

Cinema! Not much of a choice here... especially good movies... and even more movies in English. One exception I found is the cinema belonging to the very posh ChamPalace Hotel. Not much of a movie choice either - mainly Hollywood blockbusters, but they're in English. If you're not a fan of such films just know that this is about the best you can get: all other movie theatres show really bad B (or C or D) movies, preferably martial arts movies! If this is not bad enough, just keep in mind that all movies are heavily censored! Not much fun! The Cham Cinema - in comparison - is an oasis of happiness!

Dress Code: nothing special

Address: sharia maysaloun

Directions: new town - behind the posh cham palace hotel

Theme: Other