Southeastern Iran
Hidden within the Aramgah complex, this brick-domed teahouse offers spiritual music and a short menu of well-made Iranian favourites, including a minty…
Must-see nightlife in Middle East
Tehran
Who doesn't love a cupcake? At this cute and buzzy cafe close by Tehran University, they're made well-slathered with butter-cream icing, plus there's…
Ramallah
Berlin is the latest hip spot on Ramallah’s ever-changing nightlife scene. The barman trained in Germany before opening this tiny cocktail bar and pub and…
Bethlehem
This uber-trendy haunt 15 minutes' walk downhill from the Old City serves a variety of local beers and wine, as well as cocktails and shisha, to a mostly…
Tel Aviv
In the Central Bus Station building, Block is known as Tel Aviv's best club for good reason, hosting big-name international DJs playing anything from funk…
Jerusalem
Since 1967, Kadosh has been cultivating an uncanny miniature Paris, from the burnished colour scheme and outdoor seating to the intellectual chit-chat…
Jerusalem
During the British Mandate, this building was an officers club for British soldiers. The Brits left in 1948 and this place promptly fell into disrepair,…
Amman
Catch the sunset over the old city while sipping a happy hour cocktail (50% off from 5pm to 8pm) on District’s rooftop terrace. The casual chic vibe,…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Beside, and connected to, Etihad Modern Art Gallery, this artsy cafe, with its shaded patio scattered with tables and seating made from recycled oil…
Abu Dhabi
Don't be deceived by the unassuming back staircase entrance. Climb to the top, and you'll be dazzled by incredible turquoise waters and panoramic ocean…
Amman
Put your caffeine addiction to good use at this colourful cafe at the National Gallery of Fine Arts, where you can sample locally sourced coffees, teas…
Amman
Jordan doesn't sound like the place where you can drink at a local microbrewery, but you can at Fuheis just outside Amman, where Carakale have opened a…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This gastropub is as popular with the after-work crowd as it is with families on sunny Saturday afternoons. There are a dozen beers on tap, along with…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
Although earnest artisan-coffee guff generally gets on our nerves – when ordering you'll be asked the origin you want and whether you'd like it served hot…
Jerusalem
Israeli and international wines flow freely at this bohemian-feel bar, whose antique furnishings and location underneath the Jerusalem Theatre pull a…
Marina Breakwater
All other cocktail bars may be dead to you once you've sipped a Pearl Sky (gin, rhubarb liqueur, yuzu, blackberry and lemon) or Sake Samurai (vodka, sake,…
Jerusalem
Glug your way through more than 100 craft beers (including dozens of Israeli brews) at this enormously popular bar in Mahane Yehuda Market. The Jerusalem…
Beirut
Beirut’s fame as a party city is in part due to Grand Factory, located on the panoramic roof of a former industrial site. The venue hosts live concerts…
Beirut
With a lightly worn medieval theme and mellow soundtrack, this inviting hideaway has cute outdoor tables and an interior dominated by sociable bar-counter…
Amman
You may need to keep your sunglasses on when you enter this establishment – the retro floral walls in psychedelic colours are a fun throwback to the '70s…
Amman
This popular, cosy English pub in Sweifieh has wood panelling and a lively atmosphere. The comfort food includes authentic fish and chips, and roast beef…
Jerusalem
Pass the time beautifully at this intimate bar-restaurant in a courtyard behind Jaffa Rd while sampling from the solid selection of local wine, cocktails…
Beirut
In Saifi near Downtown, this club is party central for a mixed crowd: it's a mainstay of the Beirut LGBT scene. A state-of-the-art lighting-and-sound…
Doha
A homegrown artisanal coffee house kickstarting Doha's third-wave coffee scene, Flat White is the brainchild of two Qataris who, after travelling the…
Amman
One of the few proper drinking holes on Rainbow St, La Calle has a couple of decent-sized bar areas, and a small but breezy terrace on the 3rd floor that…
Amman
For an elevated lounge experience, head up to the 13th floor of the Landmark Hotel. Home to Amman’s longest bar, Ghoroub is the perfect perch from which…
Amman
Named for the terrapins in the cafe window, this tea shop is a good place to refuel halfway down Rainbow St. As well as hot drinks and juices, the…
Kuwait City
Opposite Al Shaheed Park's entrance gate is this air-conditioned vintage oasis decorated with an old VW Beetle, bicycle wheels, aeroplane seats, school…
Amman
This corner cafe is a refreshing mix of traditional and modern: the old wood and high ceilings give it the air of a place where old Ammani men congregate…
Kuwait City
At this chilled, two-tier industrial-styled coffee shop with chipboard tables, concrete walls, exposed pipes on the ceiling and bookshelves, the baristas…
Jerusalem
The local LGBT community flocks to this teensy space above Cassette Bar for drinking, dancing and the occasional drag show (Thursday and Saturday are…
Amman
Part lounge, part sushi bar and part study (think high-backed chairs, a fireplace and the daily newspaper), the Living Room is pretty understated. It…
Bahrain
Walk through the tiny avocado-green wood doors, past the swing chair and into your very own light-filled oasis of calm, coffee and cake. Luqmatina's…
Jerusalem
Accessed from the street (look for the metal door covered with old cassette tapes) or through the rear of the Record Bar next door, this pint-sized cave…
Aqaba
This 'English' pub attracts a young crowd, plus those curious to see how the iconic pub of soap opera Coronation Street has ended up by the Red Sea (check…
Beirut
The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans has been enticing patrons into this friendly cafe near the American University of Beirut since 1935, rewarding…
Downtown Dubai
Enquire with the concierge where Poppy is within the hotel and he (or she) will likely respond in a whisper. It's a venue of US Michelin-starred chef…
Iran
The Ferdosi Soffrekhaneh, just west of the bazaar, is one of the most atmospheric, original teahouses in Iran. Housed in a charming old basement, and…
Beirut
Attracting a 30s-something arty crowd, this long-standing bar has a Parisian-style decor and cocktail waiters smartly decked out in ties and lab coats…
Wadi Musa
The Mövenpick Hotel bar has a superb Moroccan-style interior with carved wooden grills and a grand chandelier. It’s worth having a cocktail or an ice…
