Al Jamal Badawi

NileGuide Expert tip:

Don't be surprised if you see an all-ladies room or table. Odds are you are witnessing a bachelorette party!

Description:

• Jamal A. Badawi is in real life "an Egyptian born Muslim Canadian professor in Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is a well-known author, activist, preacher and speaker on Islam and Muslims (Wikipedia)." Yet, the disco-club Al Jamal Badawi has little to do with his teachings... Al Jamal Badawi is the second branch -the week day alternative- of the dance club & cabaret show center Al Jamal in Harbiye, Nisantasi. It is one of the most entertaining places in Istanbul, because of its atmosphere, music and persistent cabaret show makers and dancers. Al Jamal Badawi has been designed and contemplated differently from the original and large bedouin tent version in Harbiye. Rather than a large, single dancing spot in the middle, Al Jamal Badawi has been composed of smaller, separate rooms of two or three tables. The interior architecture has been influenced by the traditional interior construction of Turkish baths -the hammams. Just as ladies withdraw into the seclusion of these separate rooms for bathing in privacy in the hammams; clients are seated within the privacy of these rooms with their "gang" or "group". Dinner starts at 8 PM with raki (Turkish ouzo), wine and meze (Turkish tapas). There is a fixed menu that includes the starters, hot entries and hot dishes and unlimited alcohol for a fixed price. What sets Al Jamal (Badawi) apart from the mainstream Turkish taverns (meyhanes) is that the food served is extremely delicious and of very high quality, as well as its presentations and service. It should still be noted however that the serving staff may get rather too busy even with three tables to serve only; and thus it may become necessary to repeat wishes and to demand better service at peak hours. At around 9.30 PM "male" bellydancers, called zennes, arrive with their female companions. After a brief bellydancing demonstration and show, they will make the clients go up on all feet. You will be surprised to see business suited business diners swinging real-time with the music!
  
• © NileGuide2013