The Clock Cafe throws a party

Some people really know how to throw a party - and "Cafe" Mike has carved a place in Medina folklore with his "pre-opening" party at the Clock Cafe.

Mike - the perfect host

Mid-morning it looked as though the cafe would not be anywhere near ready. Plasterers were hard at work, a carpenter as well and the scene more like a renovation in progress than preparations for a party. Yet by 7.30 pm it was glowing with candles, a light show being projected on the walls and the background music playing through the amps and speakers set up for the band.

All you could drink... and then some!

The first few guests arrived to find a superb bar set up in one of the salons, a few tables and chairs scattered around and a constant flow of almost anything you cared to imbibe. Everything was set for what turned out to be a fabulous night.

Andrew grooving

One of the great things about the crowd of fifty or so was the mix - not simply an ex-pat party, but a great melange of old and new residents, expats and Fassis - young and old, as well as almost all the members of the Purple Circle.

Trying to spot the Purple Circle members?

David Amster arrived early and after a quick check of the renovation progress settled down in conversation with Lumen and Australian TV journalist and presenter, David Margan, who is in Morocco for a couple of weeks as a guest of The View from Fez.

David Amster & David Margan

Other guests included Jenny and John - bloggers and restoration consultants who run the Fez Restoration Blog - Jenny's father, Jim, was also a guest. John had worked all day preparing the light show that was projected on the wall (thanks John).

Jim kicks back with the locals

Evelyn and her husband Hassan arrived and found themselves a quiet corner and settled in for a long session. While upstairs, Countess Kleo, Louis Da Fez and a group of the usual suspects caroused in one of the smaller candlelit salons.

Evelyn and her new husband Hassan

The "Godfather", Louis da Fez chills out.

To name everyone would be a little beyond us as soon after the party started things got a bit frantic and all that remains is a rather fuzzy memory! There was much dancing, laughing and a bit of falling over...


In the kitchen, the Clock Cafe team worked tirelessly and to our amazement produced a extraordinary array of food including vegetarian or lamb burgers with (yes it can happen) hot chips! The food was truly delicious.

Tarik - the master of the sweet pasteries.

Amy, from the UK, had the kitchen buzzing.

Hot chips - bazef!

Later in the evening tray after tray of wonderful sweet delicacies appeared, truly top quality and an indication of what we can expect from the Clock Cafe when it opens.

Frederic arrives ready to perform

Later still the entertainment started with Frederic Calmes and Annas performing some sublime music. Later still a local band kicked in with a great Boohalee performance which gave a whole new slant on stress testing the walls. Fantastic!

Annas prepares to sing

Once the music started, so did the dancing with stand-out performances from Ricky (headbutt style!) with Diane and Karima doing a great hair thrashing routine that even had the musicians congratulating her!

Karima - the dancing translator.

For those who wanted a little quieter atmosphere, the upstairs salons were perfect and further up on the terrace, shadowy figures took in the night air.

Countess Kleo and friends in the chill-out zone

Visiting Australian journalist, David Margan

Party time!

Our thanks to Mike and the Clock Cafe team. Also the musicians for the fabulous Boohalee performance.

The Clock Cafe will be catering the Gnaoua dance party at Riad Zany on May 28!

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news