ACE Club Keeps Getting Better

ACE Club has completed the downstairs upgrade/renovations with the food service now separated from bar area, with dedicated ordering area. Food as usual is of home cooking variety and great and very good prices. Simon tells me he is getting quite a few inquiries about membership from newbies so if you are interested contact Simon through the ACE Club Website. There has been talk about capping the membership so don't be left out.

BTW you can use Google earth to find ACE Club location. Fly to Cairo then search under business ACE Club.

Before I talked about where to get English Breakfast with pork bacon or ham. See pic below of the All Day Breakfast - Yummy. Also below a few more pics of ACE club for viewing

My Favovorite Watering Hole - ACE Club - Maadi Cairo Egypt

My favorite watering hole and also for about another 450 Expat members.

ACE stands for Association of Cairo Expatriates - a membership club, run by members, as non profit association. There is downstairs pub area with 3 TV's, outside garden area, and upstairs sports bar, and veranda. The club is quite busy most evenings, and full if major sports event on (especially if England is playing in a football final of any sort).

If a visitor to Cairo, Maadi you are welcome to come over, and first visit is free. Bring your family. Afterwards, you need a member to sign you in and fee is 20 LE each. For first visit, you can check at reception and he will find member to sign you in, or Manager will assist. Club opens at 12 noon and you will find a member there for sure after 1pm or usually earlier. Maybe me imbibing as is my want.

To purchase drinks you need to buy a beverage card (denominations of 50, 100, 200 LE).
Beer and spirits are 12 LE. Food is readily available and of the home cooked variety. The all day breakfast is very popular. Prices are very reasonable if not down right cheap and cash payment is required for food.

If moving to Cairo, check for membership requirements and fees. Also please see ACE Club web site at this link. If in Heliopolis or Mohandisen, you can check with British Community Association at BCA LINK

To find the ACE club see this Google image below: Click to enlarge. On the ground you will cross railroad tracks, if coming from the east along Port Said (Say-eed) Street (misspelled on map as Boor Said Street) and enter what is called Victoria Medan. The ACE club is about opposite and with smaller garden in front with car parking. If in taxi just get out on east side of Circle (medan). Street wise it is at apex of roads 213 (a divided roadway leading to CAC - Cairo American College) and 216 (Maadi Digla Area). Don't look for a big sign as only small plaque on fence beside gate. It is a large villa so just enter the gate (not usually closed) and enter the door. Hope not too confusing.

Breakfast with Pork Bacon

It would be a rarity in Egypt to find any breakfast with pork bacon served - even in 5 star hotels. If missing it so much, try the place I eat which is Mediterranean Restaurant on Road 9 in Maadi. (only beef bacon on menu so ask for pork bacon). Update - this restaurant no longer serves pork bacon so if that is what you want give it a miss. And a few others explained at end as late edit to post. i.e Deli in Maadi (great little place to have breakfast or buy your pork needs- address 9B 216 ST Digla Maadi) or ACE club - private expat club, but if visiting any member will sign you in and first visit is free - after that 20LE per person. More about ACE club in later post as my watering hole! ACE club has all day proper breakfast so this is where you need to go!

Having a Drink in Egypt: Boozers Guide

Beer, Wine, Alcohol are readily available in Egypt. Locally made but don't let put you off. The favorite beer by far for all expatriates living here is Sakara (bottle or can), Heineken, followed by Stella ( the original beer and was nasty) but all changed a few years ago with introduction of El Gouna Brewery, who started up in direct competition to local brewery. They did so well, the local brewery bought them out. And even though there is a anti-monopoly law - this buy out went ahead. Beer in 5 star hotels can get to 35 LE(or more), pub restaurants about 25 LE, my private club 12 LE and at the booze off-sale stores 6 to 9 LE. (For purchases, Drinkies is most known but there are others). Also be advised in most establishments there is a 10% sales tax plus a 12% service charge on top of menu price- and they still expect a tip!
Wine I avoid as don't like what seems to be a formaldehyde flavor with exception of Grand Marquis.
Local spirits, whiskeys, gin, etc are lethal and I do not know anyone that has gone beyond the sample taste.
If you want to find a Drinkies, (ph 19330) or company called Cheers (19131) to find closet location, or get delivery phone. Not sure hotels with bars agree to delivery, but there are ways. Also, if you have cell roaming on mobinil dial 8000 for assistance for finding places or numbers. Also for travellers - recently announced the Grand Hyatt no longer serves alcohol - their 5 star rating and actually being able to keep Hyatt name is in question. If going there check ahead. Also do not know status of Hard Rock Cafe which is located at the Grand Hyatt - check ahead. Correction - the Croc advises the hard Rock cafe is wet for alcohol drinks and intends to stay that way.".
When in Cairo, keep your eyes open for a small book called Croc Free guide - wealth of great information for all including those of us living here.

I was going to write a bit more about Beers and Wine in Egypt but found this site that does a good job on the subject Link

Below is a listing of pubs found in Croc Free Guide. My favourites not included as they are Fusion(japanese - shusi etc.), TGIF, Grand Cafe (outdoors and favourites are shisha smokers), all located on Corniche (on Nile) at Entrance to Maadi (pronunced Ma-adi). All in same complex and all serve beer wine. In Maadi there are so many other pubs and restaurants you would need a guide dog.

Click on images to enlarge.