There is a reason why everyone can’t stop talking about Sahel’s The Lemon Tree & Co. and it is not a mere case of overreacting or mainstreaming. The place is unlike anything we have ever had in Egypt. Losing yourself in non-stop entertainment that will make your head turn in every direction while feasting on tantalizing food is only how your evening starts, and it will most probably end with you looking like you just came out of the gym after dancing the night away.
This is a restaurant that speaks to everyone; people relate to it and no matter what your jam is, you will find it there. Here are the types of people who blissfully find their calling at The Lemon Tree & Co. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you are one of them, otherwise you are missing out on a unique Sahel experience.
Music junkies
The ones with a sole purpose in life: finding wicked beats that will take over their frame of mind for just one night every weekend. With all the buzz The Lemon Tree & Co.’s podcasts have been creating, ranked as one of the top in Europe, music junkies have found their calling. Expect them to be standing right next to Ibiza’s DJ Alex Kentucky.
Amr Hosny fans
For those who are acquainted with our favorite local DJ, you know what you are getting and it is everything you dream of – in my case, it was Gwen Stefani. He will take you on a music ride through decades in the blink of an eye and your dancing shoes won’t stop tapping.
Fine diners
On a classic Sahel day, around 5 PM you start thinking of where to eat. Then you waste an hour getting there and another half hour waiting for your turn on an excruciating waiting list, then maybe an extra 90 minutes eating, which turns you into a zombie and incapable of human communication until you waste another two hours napping.
This is where The Lemon Tree & Co. saves your weekend. Show up early and indulge in their wide range of drool-worthy fine dining. Then enjoy the shows until your digestive system allows your limbs to start moving again.
Young Egyptian designers
Not only is the venue killing us softly with its sick beats, superb entertainment and food that makes us spend a whole night slobbering, The Lemon Tree & Co.’s boutique also supports local talents and brings us some of the hottest collections by young Egyptian designers, like Norine Farah and Queen Inc.
The shopaholics
With all the local brands luring us the minute we step foot in the venue, you will always find a tempted girl hiding behind the racks, pretending to be at the bathroom.
The flower child
The hippie with a flower crown spreading love, peace and serenity and looking hot as hell while rejecting institutions and expanding her consciousness. You don’t want to miss Thursday night’s “Make love not war” parties.
The girl who rolls her eyes
You know the girl who wants to leave early but her boyfriend or husband keeps ignoring her? Everyone knows how this ends: a guy dancing alone and a girl crossing her arms while rolling her eyes. I’d like to believe this is why they have a smiley face dangling from the sky, to distract the girl and give the poor boy 10 more nag-free minutes.
The excellansat
We all know them – the Cigar folks who want nothing but their favorite crowd, good service, mezza and tolerable music. If you have a friend constantly complaining about how the venue you chose is too loud for him, trust me, he will find his calling there.
The ex-partying parents
The most difficult people to please are the ones with toddlers waiting back home, especially when they used to be the envy of every party goer. They wake up at 7 AM, go through hell on the beach; feed, bathe and put babies to bed; then start their nightlife struggle, which is all about not falling asleep while dancing. Rest assured, the venue comes to their rescue every night with their comfortable cotton candy like couches where they can nap for 10 minutes every couple of songs.
Al Mohayesoon
You can’t expect everyone to be there and not get pranked. From dance battles to awkward staged fights, if you are lucky, you might come face to face with notorious pranksters Al Mohayesoon.
Little Red Riding Hood fans AKA Cairo wolves
The little girl with the red cape made an appearance last night and she is all grown up. Beware Cairo wolves, the place is packed with DC Comics and Marvel superheroes, and there is no place for villains among Batman and Spiderman. Trust me, there is nothing more entertaining for comics freaks like finding The Joker standing on the building’s roof, plotting our demise on a dancing night.
The girl who pees a lot
I am dead serious, this is a calling. There is no queue in their bathroom. The longest I’ve seen was a couple of girls silently waiting on their most crowded nights. Every woman in Sahel knows what a nightmare bathrooms are. You can wait in line for 30 minutes and it never ends well. You are surrounded by English speaking drunk women making bad jokes who are very easily insulted and you end up cat fighting. This is the most user-friendly bathroom I’ve come across this summer and that deserves a shout out.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss I Wore a Basic Shirt at a Sahel Club and This Is What Happened.