223 West King Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 819-0636 (call after 5 pm)
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A lovely, but very comfortable and not-stuffy, new nightspot in St. Augustine. Hookahs, full bar, mazza, desserts, and very comfy couches! Also outside patio. Smallish but they haven't stuffed every square inch with seating so even when full it doesn't feel smashifying, and (most importantly) there's decent space to perform and actually be seen. Incredibly nice owners busting their behinds to create a really fun but tasteful hangout.
So new we're still working out dancing, but for now, it's Saturdays, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm.
Sahara Cafe'
10771 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246
(904) 338-9049
Directions
Dancing on Fridays and Saturdays, four shows at 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm, 11:30pm.
Like so many unexpectly good restaurants, hiding in a (relatively new) strip mall on the north side of Beach Blvd. Not huge, but a fair sized establishment, not a hole in the wall by any means. Traditional Middle Eastern menu, hookahs, beer and wine. Seating at (closely spaced) tables on main floor, raised areas along one wall with cusioned benches, tables & chairs surrounded by low wood wall, large spacious bar also has seating. Floor area with tables is tight, but there is an open space by bar and wide aisle along raised areas where much of the dancing (by Karolinka, in any case) takes place and is very visible from bar and raised tables. Excellent sound system inside.
Very large outside patio is completely covered and walled in, plenty of room for large parties; dancer usually performs at least part of a set outside.
Atmosphere: Casual, fun, and relaxed but not sloppy. As viewed from the back end: good natured, well managed staff, both in kitchen and up front... which generally means that the upper management/owner knows what they are doing! Frequented by college students but also families, couples, all ages. Also a core of Arabic regulars who know a good thing. Dabke known to break out later in evening on busy nights and everyone is happily welcomed to participate.
I honestly haven't eaten much there yet -- but the hummus and shawarma I had recently was A++ fresh, seasoned just right. Yum!
Sahara is a truly friendly place to enjoy a meal and/or hookah, and of course see a great bellydancer. I recommend (besides, humbly, myself) Zarah, who dances most Fridays. There are a couple of other dancers I don't know/can't comment on, so check my schedule or call the restaurant to make sure you see a GOOD show!
Casbah Cafe'
3628 St. John's Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32205-9065
(Riverside/Avondale Area)
904-981-9966
www.thecasbahCafe'.com
Belly Dancing Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, on the hour (approximately) between 7 pm and 11 pm.
The Casbah is in the upscale Avondale neighborhood/shopping area of Jacksonville. It's a small, casual restaurant, coffee bar and hookah
(tobacco water pipe) lounge. Inside seating at tables as well as in the "hookah lounge" on low bench seats and poufs, at bar, and outside front patio. Small, but nice "authentic" atmosphere.
Dancing is essentially in between tables, fairly tightly spaced inside.
Karolinka performs about two to four evenings
per month. She's been dancing at the Casbah since they opened in 1999; originally as the sole dancer and later
performing half a dozen nights a month. The Casbah has grown and now has a variety of dancers (one dancer per evening). Karolinka also had core troupe members (Kalilah, Maha, Beth) and subcontracted associate dancers (primarily Nicoma and Hayal of the Farhannah Dance Ensemble of Gainesville) performing there 2004-2006. Currently on sabbatical, Karolinka is on sabbatical from Casbah. Current dance/business partner Kalilah (former beginner student/advanced troupe member/now independent agent and wonderful dancer) has taken over Karolinka's slots and dances 2 to 4 nights a month.
Directions, map from Mapquest.com.
Click here for detailed directions from
Gainesville & major highways.
(it only takes about an hour
and 15 minutes from the outskirts of Gainesville).
Palm Garden Hookah Lounge & Restaurant
6271 St Augustine Road, Unit 29
Jacksonville, FL 32217-2555
(866) 384-1219
www.palmgardenrestaurant.net
AUGUST '08: NO MORE BELLY DANCING AT PALM GARDEN.
Owner has decided to discontinue the Saturday "Parties" (with Arabic singer, band, professional belly dancer - these are when I danced). Apparently for good. Fridays not recommended.
Homemade on the spot Middle Eatern cuisine, hookahs, full bar.
Saturdays: Absolutely worthwhile if it is a "Party" night! On these evenings there is an Arabic singer and accompaniest as well as a belly dancer, usually myself or the beautiful and talented Zarah, although it can vary. This is probably the only place in town you can see a real show like this on a semi-regular basis. Three sets of belly dancing between 10:30 pm and 1:30 am.
These events occur at varying dates, sometimes several a month, sometimes none. Call the restaurant to find out when the next is scheduled, and who the dancer is (if I'm going to be performing it will be on the schedule above).
There is no belly dancing on Saturdays if it isn't a "Party" night.
Fridays: There is a specific belly dancer on Fridays who (though I love the restaurant and the family owners) is frankly an untrained beginner. She is cute, enthusiastic and has some natural talent, and brings a large and enthusiastic crowd of very young friends. I can't honestly recommend it/her for the belly dancing, at least not for anyone who has a has a real appreciation for Arabic dancing. Also, unfortunately in my opinion, they play (loud) American music in between the belly dance sets (which for this specific dancer are very short, 2 songs).
