Upper Galilee & Golan
A great spot to meet locals, this convivial, two-room pub serves brunch and great vegetarian sandwiches during the day and tasty 'Italo-Galilean' cuisine,…
Must-see nightlife in Middle East
Yazd
As a refreshingly modern alternative to the traditional teahouses of old Yazd, this stylish cafe, with its installation of hanging coffee cups, is a…
Salalah
One of the few places to serve alcohol in Salalah, this open-air bar is shaded by palms. Enjoy sundowners here before the nightly buffet and watch the…
Beirut
Beirut has some great rooftops and this is one of the best, a cracking place to be at sunset sipping a (pricey) cocktail and admiring the excellent view…
Amman
In the heart of a cultural centre, this is a peaceful place to escape from downtown, especially as it’s surrounded by a garden and the ruins of a…
Amman
A lively Latin-styled bar that's popular with the expat set, Copas Central has a laid-back vibe and a great terrace that's perfect for whiling away a…
Amman
Chilled-out coffee shop just off Rainbow St, always popular with the cool laptop crowd. The inside is deliciously air-conditioned, and there's a terrace…
Haifa
A double-decker night spot with an oxblood-walled dive bar downstairs and a performance space upstairs. Expect soft rock, grunge and other guitar-driven…
Jerusalem
Perch on a wobbly stool (or an even wobblier metal barrel) at this immensely popular coffee spot in the thick of Mahane Yehuda. Sip a foamy cappuccino or…
Shiraz
This trendy spot near the commercial centre of town attracts young Shirazis looking for an international coffee-shop vibe. The technically accurate …
Dhofar
A highly popular venue for a drink, the indoor bar at the Hilton Salalah Hotel hosts DJs on Thursdays and Fridays between 11.30pm and 2am. There's an…
Shiraz
Attracting a loyal local crowd of liberally minded young Shirazis, overseen by a genial boss, this cafe does a range of brilliant flavoured teas – the…
Yazd
Persian music, courtyard fountains and a gentle breeze are good companions at this tranquil teahouse restaurant. Sit in the courtyard or in the attractive…
Aqaba
Above the Romero Restaurant in the marina, this is an elegant rendezvous with a delightful harbourside view of the sunset.
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Tucked away in an inconspicuous corner of the main lobby, this bar is inspired by vivacious Hungarian actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. Her stylish but flamboyant…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
A connoisseur's cocktail bar, Butcher & Still has a black marble bar, hardwood features and leather everywhere to pad the elbows. Smoked Manhattans and…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Poolside Eclipse is a worthy spot to enjoy stunning views over the water and rooftops of the city. During the day it has a laid-back and relaxed vibe. The…
Marina Breakwater
Loved by locals, Hookah Lounge sits right on the water's edge with spectacular views back across to the city. Shisha (from Dhs62), unsurprisingly, is the…
Downtown Dubai
At the top of the Taj, this luxe lair treats guests to cracking views of the Burj Khalifa, top-shelf drinks and an outdoor living room setting with potted…
Marina Breakwater
The Arabian Peninsula is dire territory for hopheads, but the Belgian Café at the InterContinental boasts a satisfying suds selection, featuring five…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
A well-established pub, with an old-fashioned, wood-panelled, brass-trimmed ambience, this watering hole is renowned for its popular ladies' nights …
Downtown Dubai
Been-around-forever Fibbers is an amiably scruffy morning-to-night Irish pub with Guinness and Kilkenny on tap, all-day breakfasts (including the…
Dubai
This sprawling multistorey venue has a woodsy interior with an open kitchen, but it's really the three bars with killer views of the Burj Al Arab that…
Marina Breakwater
With one of the very best views of nighttime Abu Dhabi, the outside terrace at this highly popular shisha cafe is always teeming with appreciative puffers…
Yas Island
Late at night, this place gets packed with trendy young things sipping signature cocktails (Dhs55 to Dhs75). DJs spin progressive deep house on Thursdays…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
With a wicked assortment of carefully crafted mocktails and cocktails, this classy bar-restaurant attracts a well-dressed clientele. Sit outside on the…
Deira
Looking very much like a futuristic James Bond–worthy yacht, Cielo flaunts a sultry, romantic vibe helped by the bobbing yachts below and the cool views…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
In the cooler months, this is the place to be. Cool cucumber mojitos, passion-fruit Collins, and kiwi gin and tonics are just some of the signature…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
The Four Season's lobby lounge comes into its own during the cooler months when you can sit outside with a drink on the terrace and take in the city…
Amman
Shop a selection of local and international wines or schedule a wine tasting or pairing at one of the largest wine cellars in Jordan. The Winemaker…
Yas Island
One of Abu Dhabi's see-and-be-seen party haunts, dress up and bring your ID (over 21s only) to hang with the beautiful people partying to RnB, hip-hop,…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Home-grown Atelier M delivers a double treat atop the circular Pier 7 building. The lift drops you at the restaurant, which serves respectable French…
Beirut
You don’t have to be cool, young and pretty to fit in at Demo, but it helps. Join the tattooed kids with edgy haircuts spilling out of Demo on weekend…
Amman
This Rainbow St bar’s extensive cocktail list, colourful decor – crafted from discarded items once destined for the scrapyard – and weekly music events…
Downtown Dubai
If you ever wanted to find out how to milk a camel (and who doesn't?), watch the video on the interactive iPad menu of this pretty cafe while sipping a…
Marina Breakwater
An international/Tex-Mex/Irish cantina popular with long-term foreign residents, Hemingway's is the place to lounge in front of the big screen with beer,…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
A hugely popular cafe that has nothing to write home about other than the sense of participating in a beloved local ritual. Come here for shisha and tea…
Abu Dhabi
It's pricey, but this organic, cold-pressed-juice chain churns out some seriously tasty bevvies fashioned from all manner of fresh fruits, vegetables and…
Yas Island
With live entertainment and the longest bar in Abu Dhabi, this is a happening spot for beer (17 taps), cocktails and a satisfying selection of upmarket…
Marina Breakwater
Serving a variety of fruit juices, mocktails and hot drinks, this simple cafe has a great outdoor terrace overlooking the marina for an evening of shisha …
