Jerusalem
Just off relatively bustling Azza St, this funky spot is where locals go for strong coffee and creative cocktails. Offers outdoor seating and occasional…
Must-see nightlife in Middle East
Abu Dhabi
Sitting in the cafe part of this establishment, beside the pond in comfortable armchairs, is a pleasant and sociable experience, especially on warm nights…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Saunter down a dramatic candlelit staircase to this cellar-like hideaway in the Rosewood hotel, probably Abu Dhabi's best destination for oenophiles in…
Tel Aviv
It's easy to miss the subdued entrance to this verdant hipster oasis tucked in the courtyard of one of Tel Aviv’s first buildings with a lift, which is…
Dubai
With a minimum spend of Dhs370 for cocktails and afternoon tea running at Dhs590 (Dhs720 for window seating), the tab at Burj Al Arab's Skyview Bar is as…
Yas Island
Voted Abu Dhabi's best sports bar, this wildly popular and rowdy bar and grill is unapologetically American. With 24 taps, including craft selections from…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
With a huge marble-topped bar as its centrepiece and a daily happy hour (5pm to 8pm), the New Orleans–inspired Nola is popular with the after-work crowd…
Jerusalem
Whether you're sipping mint-infused lemonade or a glass of wine, Versavee's courtyard seating and location by Jaffa Gate make it a convenient spot for…
Southeastern Iran
West of Imam St at the Imamzadeh Shirekhoda roundabout, Qarbi St rises past a series of older, mud-domed homes. Many are derelict, but near the top (250m)…
Jerusalem
Baroque music and Sachertorte attempt to carve out a corner of Vienna within the tranquil confines of the Austrian Hospice. Make no mistake: this is a…
Jerusalem
Guinness on tap, sports on screen and traveller-friendly staff. Yup, you've seen the same formula in a dozen other bars, but this chain pub is an easy…
Tehran
On the ground floor of the Hotel Naderi, this pastel-shaded cafe has long been a favourite, attracting a curious mix of students, artists and grannies in…
Jerusalem
Here's the lowdown: Record Bar regulars start their night sitting at the outdoor tables, enjoying two drinks for the price of one (4.30pm to 9pm), sizing…
Beirut
Very popular with Beiruti hipsters and expat workers, this arty place is a little tucked-away haven: it's very pleasant to sit outside and slowly realise…
Tehran
This traditional teahouse occupies what was the first Iranian bank some 260 years ago during the Qajar era. Carpeted booths on two levels look on to a…
Iran
Tucked behind the Mashahir Sq cistern, this bustling, midrange family restaurant has a trio of live musicians playing nightly, serves herbal teas (IR20…
Beirut
Easily the most famous club in town, this gay-friendly underground place a couple of kilometres east of Downtown is known for its mock-horror interior and…
Beirut
A stack of well-worn shipping containers converted into a fashionable bar/party venue hybrid, Junkyard has a great rooftop terrace showcasing recycled…
Bur Dubai
This been-here-forever Western expat fave has a '70s-era American roadhouse feel, with a cover band blaring out Top 40 hits and a DJ filling in the breaks…
Abu Dhabi
This pool and beach party, beloved by Abu Dhabi's buffed and toned set, is an all-day affair. Boats leave frequently from the dock near the Khalidiya…
Kuwait City
Run by the Sheraton Kuwait, this plush tea lounge, with chandeliers and dark wooden panelling, could be straight out of a stately manor house. The English…
Mecca
The trendy baristas of the Western hemisphere have arrived in Mecca, and Abak, with its quirky branding and hipster interior, is leading the way. Popular…
Kuwait City
Inside the Sultan Center in Sharq Marina mall, Bluezone is run by a Kuwaiti health coach named Khalidah Alessa. Her fresh cold-pressed juices and…
East Jerusalem
The bar at the legendary American Colony Hotel looks very Jerusalem with vaulted ceilings, stone floors and windowless walls, just like one of the Old…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This UK import features private karaoke pods where groups of six to 25 people can belt out tunes from a huge playlist without (much) fear of embarrassment…
Abu Dhabi
Have a beer (Dhs34 to Dhs40) or wine (glass from Dhs35) with high-rises as your neighbours at this bar on the roof of the World Trade Center; entry is…
Jerusalem
The owners of much-loved Machneyuda recreated their magic here, combining style with substance, in this former railroad warehouse redesigned as a classy…
Tel Aviv
If you're suffering from a case of craft cocktail thirst, come sip potions with a pharmaceutical flair at this one-of-a-kind watering hole, where antique…
Doha
The spectacular bar on the 27th floor of the Mondrian Doha has stunning views out onto the artificial waterways and buzzing highways in the distance. Like…
Marina Breakwater
Radisson Blu Beach Club's bar and shisha cafe – open to the public – sits on prime beachside real estate with outstanding skyline views to accompany…
Yas Island
Healthy vegan-friendly cafe offering homemade almond milk, avocado smoothies and green vegetable juices along with karak chai (spicy tea) and a caboodle…
Tehran
On Ghandi's upper level, Cafe de France whisks you to the Left Bank with its dark wood, retro tables and chairs, messy display of books and cosy ambience…
Amman
The 1st-floor balcony here is the place to pass an afternoon with a nargileh (water pipe) and survey the chaos of the downtown area below, though…
Tehran
Occupying a pavilion in the grounds of a grand old mansion that now houses Art Centre Galleries, Chai Bar blends traditional Iranian style with a superb…
Ramallah
Ramallah veterans who remember the infamous Beit Aneeseh can rest assured that Radio, located in the same building, is filling the gap that the late-night…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
With metal-plated stools, palette tables and oversized artwork in a warehouse-style setting, this place works hard to channel New York but still manages…
Beirut
Recently reopened, Aaliya’s is a homely gem. The space houses a bookstore with a well-curated selection and weekly readings, as well as a cafe that serves…
Dubai
This Ibiza-style beachside 'meet' market is one of Dubai's top day-to-night dance clubs and worth the trek out of town at weekends, especially when big…
Beirut
This is the place to come if you are interested in getting to know arrack, the aniseed-flavoured Lebanese spirit. An unobtrusive clutch of cleanskin…
Jerusalem
Massive dance club with high-tech sound and light for those 23 years and older. Israeli music on Tuesday nights; DJs spinning techno, electronic dance…
