Ali El-Haggar’s Alexandria concert night, perfectly planned
Ali El-Haggar closes an Alexandria festival night worth planning around
On Thursday, October 29, Egyptian singer Ali El-Haggar returns to Alexandria for one of the city’s most appealing culture nights of the month: his concert at Sayed Darwish Theatre, the Alexandria Opera House stop within the 34th Arab Music Festival and Conference. Ahram Online’s published programme lists El-Haggar and his ensemble at 8pm in Alexandria that night, while the wider festival runs from October 20 to 30 across Cairo and Alexandria and is dedicated this year to the memory of Hany Shaker.
That makes October 29 more than a concert date. It is an easy excuse to build a full old-Alexandria evening around one of the city’s grandest cultural buildings, starting with dinner around Fouad Street and ending with a breezy late walk by the sea.
Why this venue matters in Alexandria
The setting is part of the appeal. According to the Cairo Opera House, the Alexandria Opera House “Sayed Darwish Theatre” was originally constructed in 1918 during the reign of Sultan Fuad I under the name Mohamed Ali Theatre. In 1962, it was renamed for the pioneering Alexandrian composer Sayed Darwish, and after restoration and heritage listing work, it reopened in 2004 as one of Egypt’s major performing arts venues.
It also sits in the right part of town for a pre-show plan. The theatre is on 22 El Horreya Road (Fouad Street) in the Raml Station area, putting you in the middle of historic downtown Alexandria rather than an isolated event compound. In practice, that means you can arrive early, eat well, walk a little, and still make curtain time without turning the evening into a logistical headache.
What to know about Ali El-Haggar’s festival appearance
El-Haggar has had a particularly watched relationship with this year’s festival. Earlier in October, he publicly confirmed his return to the event after a brief withdrawal, saying he would appear in Cairo and then in Alexandria on October 29. Ahram Online reported that his Alexandria date would be the closing concert at Sayed Darwish Theatre, and noted that he has participated in the Arab Music Festival since its launch in 1992. For audiences in Alexandria, that gives the night some extra weight: this is not just another stop on a touring calendar, but a return by one of Egypt’s defining voices to a festival stage closely linked to his career.
If you are planning the evening around the performance, aim to be in the Fouad Street area by 6pm to 6:30pm. That gives you enough time for a relaxed meal without rushing into the hall at the last minute.
Where to eat before the concert near Sayed Darwish Theatre
1) Potasta for a fast, practical pre-show dinner
If your priority is eating close to the venue and getting in and out efficiently, Potasta is one of the most practical options. The brand says on its official website that it has a Fouad Street branch and identifies that branch as operating there since 2017. Egypt Yellow Pages places Potasta at 22 Fouad Street, Raml Station, beside the Renaissance Royal Cinema, effectively in the immediate theatre zone.
That makes it a strong choice for concertgoers who want a filling meal without overcomplicating the night. Think pasta, lasagna or a quick sit-down dish, then a short walk to the theatre doors. If you want the Instagram mention readers actually use, Potasta is widely listed as Potasta (@potasta_egypt on Instagram).
2) Délices for a more old-Alexandria classic
For a more atmospheric downtown stop, Délices (@delicesgroup on Instagram) is one of Alexandria’s heritage names. On its official website, the business describes itself as an Alexandria patisserie, café and restaurant that has been run by the same family since 1922, with its flagship on Saad Zaghloul Street. That places it within easy reach of the Raml and Fouad Street circuit.
This is the better pick if you want your concert night to feel a little more classic: coffee, dessert, or a light early dinner in one of the city’s best-known old establishments before heading to the opera house. It suits readers who want the evening to feel distinctly Alexandrian rather than purely functional.
3) Au Privé if you want to stay almost next door
For sheer proximity, few places are as convenient as Au Privé. Tripadvisor lists it at 14 Fouad Street, next to Sayed Darwish Theater. For a concert night, that matters. If you are arriving from another part of Alexandria or coming in from Cairo and want the simplest possible plan, eating beside the theatre reduces the chance of traffic, parking stress or a long pre-show walk.
Because independently verifiable current menu details are limited from official sources, it is smarter not to overstate what to order. The safest recommendation is simply this: use it as the closest dinner-and-go option if location is your main concern.
How to time the evening
- 6:00pm: Arrive around Raml Station or Fouad Street.
- 6:15pm to 7:15pm: Early dinner at Potasta, Délices or another nearby downtown stop.
- 7:15pm to 7:40pm: Short walk around Fouad Street and toward the theatre entrance.
- 8:00pm: Ali El-Haggar concert begins at Sayed Darwish Theatre.
- After the show: Head toward the Corniche for a late walk and sea air.
The perfect after-concert move: a Corniche walk
Once the concert ends, do not rush straight home unless you have to. The real luxury of a music night at Sayed Darwish Theatre is that you are minutes away from one of Alexandria’s simplest pleasures: a late walk along the Corniche.
From the Raml area, the smartest post-show idea is not another heavy meal but a slow reset. Walk toward the waterfront, let the traffic and tram sounds fade behind you, and give the concert some room to settle. Alexandria is one of the few Egyptian cities where a night out can move naturally from an ornate theatre interior to open Mediterranean air within minutes.
That combination is exactly why this event fits the Alexandria & North Coast angle so well. The subject is Egyptian, the performer is Egyptian, the venue is one of Alexandria’s historic landmarks, and the best way to cover it is not as a generic concert listing but as a full local-night guide.
Why October 29 stands out on the Alexandria calendar
The 34th Arab Music Festival’s Alexandria programme also includes names such as Mohamed El-Helou, Ghada Ragab and Khaled Selim on nearby dates, but El-Haggar’s October 29 performance has a special profile because of his long history with the festival and his prominence in Egyptian music. For many attendees, this will be the sort of night where the venue, the singer and the neighbourhood all work together.
So if you are booking one central Alexandria outing this week, make it this: dinner in the Fouad Street and Raml district, Ali El-Haggar on stage at Sayed Darwish Theatre, then a late Corniche walk before heading home. It is a compact plan, but it delivers three of the city’s strongest pleasures in one evening: heritage, music and the sea.