Back then, Sahel Tayeb was about lazy mornings, salty hair, and nights that didn’t need a DJ to feel special. If you’ve been missing that energy, it’s not gone, you just have to choose to bring it back.
There was a time when summer in Sahel didn’t mean endless reservations, beach club wristbands, and calculating which friend’s table you’d squeeze into. It was quieter, slower, and somehow warmer not in temperature, but in feeling and pace.
One of the easiest ways to step back into that golden era is to swap one night of music and crowds for a cozy movie night. All you need is a projector, a white sheet or blank wall, a pile of cushions, and snacks that range from popcorn to mango ewes.
There’s something about watching a movie with the sea breeze in the background that makes even the cheesiest rom-com feel like a masterpiece. And when the credits roll, you can keep the night going with a few rounds of card games like Screw, UNO, or Basra, the kind that get competitive in a way only summer trips allow. You’ll laugh, argue over the rules, and maybe even create your own penalties for the losers.
For the board game lovers, bring out the Sequence, Scrabble, Rummikub, or even Carrom. A big wooden table, dim lights, and snacks within reach are all you need. These games have a way of pulling people in even the ones who say they’re “just watching” end up joining round two. And if you’re feeling a bit more active, swap the table for a sandy court and get into beach volleyball. It doesn’t have to be serious; mismatched teams and a lot of laughter are what make it fun.
But if you want something more refreshing, nothing beats padel nights from 9 to 11 PM. Playing under the lights, without the midday heat, feels like the perfect mix of sporty and social. You can follow it with long night walks through the quiet Sahel streets, where the air is cool, and the sound of the waves is never too far away.
These walks are perfect for catching up with old friends or having those conversations you never seem to have time for during the year.
Not every night has to be about movement, sometimes Sahel El Tayeb is about creating something together. Spend an afternoon making matching jewelry, whether it’s beaded bracelets, anklets, or necklaces.
The best part isn’t wearing them, but the shared time and conversation that happen while you work. If you’re feeling more creative, bring along coloring books, small canvases, or a set of paints. Sitting together, chatting, and filling a page with color is far more relaxing than scrolling through your phone for the hundredth time.
The slower pace also makes it the perfect time to finally finish a book or two. Whether it’s something light and summery or a story that’s been gathering dust on your shelf, there’s no better setting than a quiet corner with the sound of waves nearby. And for the days you want to venture outside, plan a picnic. It doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy, just some fresh fruit, simple sandwiches, iced drinks, and a blanket on the sand. It’s about the company, not the menu.
Speaking of food, few things bring people together like a grill night. Set up in the garden or on the roof, marinate some meat or seafood, add a few vegetables, and let the scent fill the air. Play music, set up a couple of small tables, and you’ll have people lingering long after the food is gone.
The point of all this isn’t to copy the past exactly but to bring back the feeling of it. Sahel El Tayeb was never about doing nothing, it was about doing the simple things that made time feel richer. You can mix the old with the new; play padel one night, host a movie-and-card-game marathon the next. Spend the morning reading on the beach, the afternoon making jewelry, and the evening playing board games until midnight.
It’s about looking up from the phone, saying yes to spontaneous plans, and realizing that not every summer memory needs to come with flashing lights and loud music. Some of the best ones come from laughing over a badly played game of Scrabble, arguing about whether to watch a rom-com or an action movie, or discovering that you’re surprisingly good at Carrom.
You don’t have to completely give up the Sahel El Shereer rituals, brunch at that Instagram-famous spot, dancing at your favorite beach club, or catching that DJ you’ve been waiting for all summer. The key is balance. Enjoy them, but don’t let them fill every day and night.
Mixing in the slower, simpler moments makes the whole summer richer, and you’ll end up with a variety of memories instead of one long blur of the same scene.
Sahel El Sheerer might be fun, but Sahel El Tayeb stays with you. And maybe, this year, it’s time to choose the version you’ll still be talking about in ten years.
