Aswan is not a nightlife city, but it has character in its quieter pleasures. Tea houses and waterfront cafes are where the action is — hibiscus tea (karkade) served hot or cold is the local drink of choice.
The Terrace Bar at the Old Cataract Hotel (now the Sofitel Legend) is the place to go for a special evening. Agatha Christie, Winston Churchill, and the Aga Khan all stayed here. The bar sits on the hotel terrace with a spectacular view over Elephantine Island, especially at night when the buildings are lit up. The decor is old colonial — lounge chairs, small tables, oriental carpets hanging from the ceiling. Dress smartly or the guards at the entrance may turn you away. The cocktails are good and they serve one of the best English teas in town alongside hibiscus tea and plates of sandwiches and pastries.