Located in the Gueliz district of Marrakech, the Pétanque Social Club is rising from the ashes.
It all began five years ago. Kamal Laftimi, the man behind Café des Épices and Le Jardin, stumbled upon this property, formerly a pétanque club in the 1930s. He discovered a wooded garden and a clubhouse. Convinced he had found a real gem, Kamal Laftimi set his mind to reviving the place, partnering with some of Marrakech's most creative minds and other international figures. For the architecture and interior design, the restaurateur turned to Alexeja Pozzoni and Diego Alonso of Diego and Alexeja Art & Design Studio. To give the Pétanque Social Club its current look, the duo reused existing materials and elements from this historically significant building, which had fallen into disuse in the 1950s. For example, some windows were rotated 90 degrees to create new shapes, while shutters were transformed into tabletops for the dining room. In short, an enthusiastic and joyful use of recycling and upcycling, with the help of local artisans.
To complete this new space, the décor embraces nostalgia, with numerous photos of club members from the 1930s adorning the walls. Other vintage items have also been selected, such as the 1970s club chairs from the original interiors of the iconic La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech. These chairs can be found in the bar and lounge of the establishment.
Alongside Berber lounges, these two spaces evoke Art Deco, but also the bohemian lifestyle of the early 20th century, from Paris to Buenos Aires. Ideal for enjoying a wide range of spirits from around the world, in a warm atmosphere enhanced by soft lighting and African tribal decor. Finally, head to the library, presented as the very heart of the Pétanque Social Club. Not to be missed.
for its consistently elegant decor, but also and especially for its selection of books, provided by the Mondo Galeria gallery, offering everything from books on photography to classics of French, Spanish, and English literature, not to mention a few books of Islamic poetry. Ideal for enjoying a cocktail while exploring one of Marrakech's most complex libraries "We are told.
On the cocktail front, Kamal Laftimi enlisted Giles Looker, the founder of Soulshakers, a cocktail consulting firm. For this Moroccan establishment, Looker showcases local flavors on the menu. The signature cocktail? The Sahara Spritz, where desert rose merges with saffron and Campari. As for the food, the Pétanque Social Club menu focuses on the freshest produce Morocco has to offer. It develops the idea of creating a Marrakech version of the Mediterranean, inspired by the flavors of Gjelina, one of Laftimi's favorite restaurants in Los Angeles. Among the dishes to discover are the creamy pasta al forno verde, served with goat cheese, wild greens, and walnuts. Those with a savory tooth shouldn't miss one of the house specialties: grilled octopus with peppers and chickpeas, or shrimp sautéed with green peppercorns, pumpkin seeds, and parsley. On the sweet side, the offerings range from desserts to...
frangipane with poached pears and whipped cream with a delicious hazelnut cake served with a yogurt sauce and a blueberry coulis.
A beautifully designed place where you can enjoy special moments in the heart of the red city.
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