Machko Tea House is the most famous tea house in Erbil and has been the center of writers and artists for decades. Initially, the cafe was located in the bazaar but later moved to the foothills of Erbil Castle. Despite its beauty, the management of the cafe has been criticized for becoming a commercial place.
Machko Cafe was opened in 1940 by Majid Machko. After the death of Majid Machko in 1963, his son Tahsin Machko ran the cafe. After he died in 1991, the cafe was run by their younger brother Mohsen Machko.
The tea house, located near the castle in Erbil, is 80 years old and is visited daily by tourists, artists, intellectuals, students, and people of Erbil.
People who have visited Machko Tea House more often in the past
Many writers, poets, and artists have written about Machko. The poet Karim Dashti said, "Machko is the Titanic of Erbil". The relationship between writers and intellectuals dates back to the time of Majid Machko, who was friends with writers, intellectuals, and artists of that time. Even artists such as Tahir Towfiq, Mohammed Arif Jaziri, Rasul Bezar Gardi, and many others have visited Machko.
Most of the artists sang and recorded songs in the Machko tea house, and Kurdish national Hayran singer Hassan Sisawayi was one of the artists who sang and recorded Hayrans in this place.
Machko has been a place of culture since years ago
Machko Tea House was initially built with some simple materials, but later it gradually expanded and Kurdish furniture and culture were placed in it. Later, books, magazines, and newspapers were placed there and now a medium-sized library has been established. Many of the citizens who visit it benefit from these books and spend their time there, reading books and drinking coffee and tea.
Authors, intellectuals, artists, writers, students, and knowledgeable university teachers, consider Machko a literary place. Machko has an authentic extent. Kurdish culture and pictures of artists, poets, and writers are hung there. Traditional songs of artists such as Ali Mardan, Tahir Towfiq, Hassan Zirak, and Mamle will be performed.
The difference in visitors now compared to the past
In the past, only men came to Machko, but now women do too. They have their own places and those who want to sit together with men. Consuls and representatives of countries in the Kurdistan Region, Arab businessmen and tourists, and from other countries who come to Erbil visit Machko.
In addition to tea and coffee, there are a variety of other drinks in Machko. Now this tea house has become a symbol of Erbil and anyone who visits the city does not leave the city until they visit Machko.
In the past, when people came to Machko, everyone wore traditional Kurdish clothes, but now the opposite is true. Except for old men, people rarely wear Kurdish clothes and young people are less likely to be seen wearing traditional Kurdish clothes. Old men sit in this cafe and drink sweet tea, talking about the old days.
Despite all the beauty and tradition, the tea house is criticized for being so expensive that it has become a commercial place. For example, tea costs 250 IQD in the bazaar, in Machko is 1000 IQD, and a bottle of water is 500. Also, playing backgammon, and dominoes, and having shisha have covered up the cultural face of Machko, worrying many visitors.
