Ras Al Khaimah
For some cultural action, join the locals in the winter months and catch a camel race here at this 10km-long track. You'll have to get up early but the…
Must-see entertainment in Middle East
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
It's not a theatre, not a club, not a bar and not a restaurant – the lavishly designed MusicHall is all those things. The concept hails from Beirut, where…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
It's really a pizza joint tucked amid residential high-rises, but this pretence-free place gets hopping just about nightly with open-mic jam sessions,…
Tel Aviv
One of the handful of places in Israel to catch international music luminaries (plus great local acts), this intimate, all-seated club is named after the…
Tehran
The home stadium of the Iranian national football (soccer) team as well as location for games by Tehran teams Persepolis and Esteghlal, with capacity for…
Doha
Tex-Mex food, margaritas galore and a resident band, plus tribute acts (think Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, ABBA and Queen). There's a happy hour between 5pm…
Tel Aviv
A must-visit for lovers of classic dance, the leading dance school in the country is also a theatre set in a historic Neve Tzedek building dating from…
Tel Aviv
Pick from a choice of different-sized private rooms at this fun karaoke bar. It has a full list of songs in English, Spanish and Hebrew. Costs range from…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
A standard British-style hotel pub by day, The Tavern only starts pumping on weekend nights when the house band kicks off. For cheaper drinking get here…
Jounieh
The historic casino was once the playboy hub of the Middle East with a glitzy '70s reputation; it still has kitsch charm for those with '70s nostalgia…
Iran
On Thursday and Friday afternoons in spring and autumn, the hippodrome at the northeastern edge of town holds horse-racing meets. Predominantly watched by…
Doha
The grand interior with red chairs, ornate balconies and a striking ceiling design has space for 550 guests, who come to enjoy philharmonic orchestras and…
Oman
The Bedouin specialise in raising camels for racing and regular camel races take place throughout the region from mid-October to mid-April. Finding…
Doha
Races with thoroughbred Arabian horses take place here between October and March; the public is welcome to attend at no cost. The race calendar is…
Ramallah
This small conservatory, which features an ancient arch with an edgy, modern copper entryway, offers intimate concerts and recitals.
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Are the kids melting in the heat and need some inside entertainment? This super-modern multiplex has a colourful cinema built specifically for kids…
Tel Aviv
This 'progressive' club-theatre, founded by the far-left HaShomer HaTzair youth movement, has pop and folk Israeli music, as well as Hebrew-language…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Rock Bottom, in the Al Diar Capital Hotel, has been going for years and is still a top choice for a rowdy night out with no pretensions. The live band…
Doha
The Doha Players have been staging amateur productions around town for the last 50 years, an emphasis on Shakespeare, at venues such as Katara…
Amman
Wahadat, one of Amman's two main football teams, play their matches at Amman International Stadium. They have heavy Palestinian support, as the club was…
Muscat
One of several modern cinemas in town, this complex shows the latest Hollywood releases and offers a night out, followed by a scoop from Ice Cream Mama…
United Arab Emirates
The camel races are the place to head to if you want to immerse yourself in local culture. Madinat Zayed's camel race track is just south of town and…
Tel Aviv
Live jazz, blues, salsa and world music takes centre stage at this intimate venue on the Old Port almost nightly. Check the website and Facebook page (www…
Tel Aviv
For a boost of local performing arts culture, catch a show at this theatre that hosts first-rate performances in Hebrew, on some nights with simultaneous…
Haifa
One of Haifa's principal venues for ballet, modern dance and music, the 1100-seat Haifa Auditorium hosts performances by the Haifa Symphony Orchestra…
Abu Dhabi
This 20,000-seater stadium is where all international cricket matches take place. If you're a cricket fan and there's a match on while you're in town,…
Felicja Blumental Music Centre
Tel Aviv
Named in honour of Polish-born Brazilian pianist Felicja Blumental, this regal but intimate 115-seat auditorium hosts classical, jazz and chamber music…
Dubai
This family-geared cinema, with beanbags and kid-friendly snacks, is located at the new Springs Souk shopping mall, a 15-minute taxi ride from the Nakheel…
Doha
This 490-seat venue infrequently hosts plays, concerts and film screenings. Check local listings for upcoming shows and booking details.
Jerusalem
Tiny, unpretentious jazz bar with nightly jams. Grab a seat in the loft space or an outdoor table and enjoy the people watching.
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Join the fans at the home stadium for Al Wahda FC. If you're a football fan, this is where all the big local games are held.
Amman
The home ground for Faisaly, Jordan's most successful football club. The games are mostly played on Friday.
Muscat
The website of this event organiser gives a helpful schedule of the major big-ticket shows coming to Muscat.
Jerusalem
Book tickets for concerts, theatre and other events around Jerusalem through this service.
Tehran
There are seven large cinemas at this famous multiplex, all screening Iranian movies.
Tel Aviv
A unique nonprofit organisation set in a renovated shipping hangar, Nalaga’at (meaning ‘Do Touch’) is the only deaf-blind theatre company in the world…
Tel Aviv
Home to Israel’s national soccer team and the UEFA Champions League games of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Haifa (which are few and far between), this is the…
Tel Aviv
Known for its Third Ear music store downstairs (reminiscent of the vinyl shop in the film High Fidelity), at night Ozen, which means 'ear' in Hebrew,…
International Convention Center
Jerusalem
In between a packed calendar of trade fairs and events, the ICC hosts occasional performances by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (www.ipo.co.il).
Bahrain International Exhibition Centre
Manama
This convention and corporate events venue occasionally hosts recitals of Bahraini music. Keep an eye on the website for information.
