Work Afters is Changing How Cairo Meets After Work

When Claudia Dayoub first came back to Cairo after studying abroad, she felt like something was missing.

“When you're in London or Madrid or Paris, you can go to any random bar after work to have a drink with friends and meet new people," Dayoub tells CairoScene. "In Egypt, it's more complicated.”

In a city as sprawling and vibrant as Cairo, social life often revolves around deep-rooted circles: the school friends, the family, and the long-established groups. For those returning from years abroad, those seeking to branch out socially, and for foreigners landing in the capital for the first time, breaking into these layers can feel like a daunting task.

“That's where I came up with the idea for Work Afters,” says Dayoub. “I wanted to create a space for people who have grown up and feel like they just don’t fit in certain circles anymore and are trying to meet new people.”

Falling somewhere between an American happy hour and an Italian aperitivo, Work Afters is a social event that happens only during the week, after work. Designed for people looking to make new friends and form meaningful relationships, the event rotates across both Cairo’s most iconic and undiscovered venues.

“It’s really about meeting new people and having a genuine conversation with them. I wanted to curate a setting that doesn’t have insanely loud music, or is set in a scene where you don’t really feel comfortable because you don’t know if people are here for other reasons,” says Dayoub.

This vision is rooted in a clear gap Dayoub had seen for herself. Outside of parties - where the music is louder than voices and where most people come with an existing group of friends - Dayoub found that in Cairo, “there was really a lack of spaces where people could meet new people outside of these limited circles.”

The eight events Work Afters has had so far have proved she is not alone in this sentiment, and have only reinforced how widespread that feeling is. “I realised that a lot of people were in the same boat as me,” says Dayoub. And while initially, she figured exchange students or expats would make up the bulk of attendees, she quickly realised it was really “Egyptians who were the ones craving and needing these kinds of events so they could meet people outside of their existing circles.”

Work Afters events are composed of a diverse and ever-shifting crowd of exchange students studying in Cairo, full Egyptians, half-Egyptians, expats and NGO workers. “The people really vary,” says Dayoub, “it depends on each event.” One of Dayoub's goals when first conceptualising Work Afters was "to merge the Egyptians and the foreigners that come here for a year, two or three." The range of people the event attracts works to broaden social circles even more.

The true magic of the event, however, lies in its low-pressure atmosphere. Dayoub provides stickers and inclusive ticket options with pre-bought food and drinks - including non-alcoholic versions for those choosing to skip the bar for health or personal reasons - to ensure everyone feels welcome.

“It’s shocking how open everyone is, and how willing they are to talk to each other,” she says. Whether people come in groups, in pairs, or alone, by the end of the night, “they are mingling with everyone.” When that kind of shared openness is established beforehand, the usual social hesitations fall away - making it easier for strangers to bond without judgment.

More importantly, any of the connections created at Work Afters don’t end with the event. "I’ve had people send me videos of them meeting up with people they met at Work Afters," Dayoub shares. "It’s very cool, I love the feedback."

The choice to hold events midweek is also deliberate. “It really helps people break out of their weekly routines; they don’t have to wait until the weekend to be able to socialise,” says Dayoub. Staying true to the “European vibe” and mirroring the relaxed rhythm of aperitivo culture, Work Afters transforms the in-between hours of the week into a moment for connection rather than routine.

“I'm really trying to create a safe space for everyone that wants to get out of their circles in a non-judgmental, no-pressure, very relaxed kind of way,” Dayoub says. “I don't want people to dress up or put makeup on - it’s very down to earth - people literally come straight from work."

Equally as intentional is the constant changing of location. So far, Work Afters has been held in places like Downtown’s Almería and the Nileside restaurant Tenaya in Maadi. “I wanted people to discover new places around Cairo," Dayoub says. “Both expats and Egyptians tend to stick to the places they know around town.”

As a one-woman show, running alongside her full-time job, Work Afters is a testament to the power of a simple idea held up by the community. For Dayoub, the community she has seen flourish because of the event is what keeps her going. “The Work Afters community has really made me realise that the concept I had was something that was truly valued and needed. Without them, I may not have continued until now. The community is really the one that keeps me going.”

After taking a break during Ramadan, Work Afters will be announcing their next event shortly on their Instagram page, @work.afters.