Dany's (Hamra)

We love you Dany’s.

We have loved you since you opened years ago (2008 seems like yesterday) and were a small refuge for Hamra-ites (we’d make our way over after drinking far too much coffee and smoking way to many cigarettes at Café Younes, to only smoke more and drink tons to numb the caffeine high). Even though at the time you could only hold about 10 of us (15 if we lifted the side tables and didn’t mind the mandatory grope, 17 if Hisham was kind enough to let us sit on the bar), you were the very first venue to open in the small alleyway, paving the way for the explosion of Hamra into a popular night spot. We remained loyal, witnessing the breaking down of the wall so more people could cram in, the opening of Dany’s Live great underground music venue-cum-mini club after hours, the eruption of the small zaroub into a number of insignificant pubs that did not last, and the building of a huge neighbouring complex unwarrantedly named The Alleyway, housing over-priced bars, and filled with, well, ageing yuppies.

Nostalgia (and heart felt love) just keep us coming, but so do the great drinks, very reasonable prices, and friendly staff.

Dany’s wears its history proud. It has all the makings of dive bar—the chicken-scribble on the walls, dim-yellow lighting—though it remains relatively classier, cleaner and tastier. Drinks are prime with national awards won for mixing talent. Even the complementary nuts are good (haha! nuts). There is outdoor seating throughout the year (with heaters and plastic curtains to keep you warm and dry) and an over-sized TV that is usually screening something gruntingly masculine like a football game, discovery channel military special or regional news. Open from the late morning to the wee hours of the night, the neighbourhood pub is a great and quiet place to work during the day, with simple sandwiches that hit the spot, coffee and fresh juice if a noontime beer or glass of wine doesn’t suit you.

We love you Dany’s (though we may not forgive you for opening in Badaro). Happy Hour: 11AM to 8PM