EME Lounge

EME Lounge is the quietest and most grown-up of the bars at the Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace in the Ville Nouvelle. It specialises in whiskies and premium cigars, served in what the hotel calls a sophisticated setting, and it is a place for a slow drink and conversation rather than music and dancing. In a city with relatively few bars, it fills a niche that is hard to find elsewhere.

The lounge opens every day from 3pm and stays open until 2am, so it works for an afternoon drink after sightseeing as well as a nightcap. The focus is on the whisky list and the cigar selection. Other drinks are available for those who prefer something different. There is a smart casual dress code, so change out of sightseeing clothes before you go.

Because the hotel is a large, full-service property, EME is easy to combine with other venues under the same roof. Croon Lounge, open from 7pm to 2am, serves cocktails and tapas in a livelier atmosphere. For dinner, Jnan L'Fassi offers Moroccan cuisine with live music from Monday to Saturday, Bouquet Garni serves French cooking and Pachamama serves Spanish food with live entertainment. Dinner at one of these followed by a nightcap at EME makes an easy evening.

The lounge suits couples, business travellers and anyone who enjoys whisky or a cigar in comfortable surroundings. It is less suited to families or to groups looking for a lively night out, who will be happier at Croon Lounge. As the lounge is designed for cigars, non-smokers should bear in mind that smoking is part of the experience. Expect premium prices, in line with a luxury hotel bar.

The Jnan Palace is on Avenue Ahmed Chaouki in the Ville Nouvelle, a short petit taxi ride from Bab Bou Jeloud and the other medina gates, and close to the train station. Hotel staff can call a taxi at the end of the evening. Drivers benefit from complimentary parking. If you are staying in the medina, combining EME with an early dinner in the Ville Nouvelle makes for a different kind of evening in Fes.