Navona Restaurant & Coffeeshop
Abu Dhabi
After a dusty morning slipping in and out of aisles of merchandise, haggling with stall-holders and photographing life along the harbour, you may fancy…
Must-see nightlife in Arabian Peninsula
Abu Dhabi
It's all about the shisha (Dhs51) at this cafe, snaffled down a side street behind the Rotana Mall. Order up a mocktail or Moroccan tea and then choose…
Abu Dhabi
This small cafe in Urban Park has an outside terrace looking on to the park's fountains – a decent spot for a late-night coffee and chat with friends…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Great tunes and expertly mixed cocktails have seen this place gallop to the front of Dubai’s crowded going-out scene. More popular for its sake and craft…
Downtown Dubai
Black limos jostle for position outside this over-the-top lair where you can sip Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli's vodka-based cocktails and dine…
Doha
This local-style coffeehouse has somehow escaped the modernisation of the waterfront and is a place to pause for a shai (tea) on a hike round the Corniche…
Dubai
Dubai meets Malibu at Bait Al Bahar, a beach house with hipster restaurant-lounges on each of its three floors. In the middle, Mazology is the place to…
Dubai
High on the glam-o-meter, Boudoir has been around the block once or twice but still pulls in beautiful punters with nights dedicated to hip-hop and R&B…
Downtown Dubai
This Cannes original burst onto the Dubai clubbing scene in 2018 and is famed for its themed nights and dress-to-impress atmosphere. Laser lighting, live…
Bur Dubai
This quintessential British pub comes with the requisite dartboard, pool table, cheap beer and several sports' screens. Ladies night is Tuesday, cocktail…
Oman
It's thirsty work climbing up the multiple flights of stairs at Nakhal Fort: luckily there is somewhere to buy water or soft drinks just opposite the car…
Sur
This simple open-air coffeeshop offers the typical local brand of nightlife: plastic seats, a tree or awning of some description, chai libton (a…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Mingle with the after-work business brigade beside the pool at this al fresco chill zone on the 8th floor of the Media One Hotel. Expect a fashionable…
Deira
Appropriately named with its wood panelling, Jack Daniels prints and several ales on tap, this pub is popular with resident expats and several of the…
Northern Coast
In one of the more modern-looking venues along the corniche, this cafe has indoor seating and a TV for hot summer nights or simple open-air seating for…
Northern Saudi Arabia
If you happen to find yourself in Haql, then this is probably the only spot in town where you'll be able to get coffee the way you like it. In fact it's a…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Part rock pub, part retro club, with an old-school arcade thrown in for good measure, this nightspot draws a fun, unpretentious crowd. The pub has live…
Da'an Al Pesaiteen Coffee Shop
Jebel Akhdar
This tiny coffee shop – one of a series of government-built outlets all over Jebel Akhdar, located in pretty picnic spots – offers tea, coffee, soft…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
You'd half expect Bogie or at least Don Draper to belly up to the bar of this old-school but timeless lounge with its dark-wood flooring and cream…
Doha
This traditional coffeehouse on the eastern (sea-facing) edge of Souq Waqif has patterned tapestry seats and is decorated with portraits of sheikhs. Basic…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
On the 8th floor of the Radisson, this is a fab spot for kicking off a long night of partying with sundowners against the backdrop of the forest of…
Eastern Province
Vitamin Palace is your one-stop shop for fresh fruit juices, mocktails and shakes. More than 200 kinds of juices are sold by the litre or the cup. Try the…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
With its cocoa, cognac and cream colour scheme, this lounge for grown-ups is as smooth and retro as a brandy Alexander. Stake out some turf at the…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Reclining on beaded cushions and thick carpets and puffing on a shisha will make you feel as if you're in the majlis (reception room) of a local home,…
Downtown Dubai
A laid-back poolside vibe combines with urban sophistication and stellar views of the Burj Khalifa at this al fresco restaurant and terrace lounge. A DJ…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
This massive club has something for everyone: a huge dance floor, a cabana-lined terrace for shisha and chilling, and a lounge for restoring energies with…
Doha
A dressy nightclub where guests dance to DJs playing everything from house to R&B and hip-hop in a dark venue illuminated by coloured lights and lasers…
Deira
Illuminated blue flooring, black-leather sofas and sleek chrome finishing lend an edgy look to this sports-and-martini bar. If you’re not into sports – or…
Muscat
This branch of a popular chain of local-style coffee shops has the advantage of a magnificent view of the sea and a small garden for shisha smokers,…
Al Zahiyah & Al Maryah Island
Definitely not the classiest joint in town but this long-running nightclub can be hilarious for people-watching, and the resident band and a DJ provide…
Northern Coast
This local coffeeshop prepares delicious fresh juices (500 baisa). You can sit at the small sea-facing terrace here and watch boats entering the new…
Downtown Dubai
Finding this neon-lit Japanese bar, hidden speakeasy-style behind a bookcase off the lobby of the Dusit Thani Hotel, requires a clear head, which you may…
Dubai
Facing a shallow pond, Nar is a popular cool-kid hangout in the cooler months. Aside from a large shisha selection, it makes some mean mocktails that go…
Doha
This sports pub with exposed brickwork and wooden tables has 12 TV screens, plus regular live bands and happy-hour deals every day between 5pm and 8pm…
Dubai
Although Sho Cho is primarily a Japanese restaurant, it's the heady lure of the cool Gulf breezes and potent cocktails on the laid-back terrace that…
Oman
A small shack selling snacks offers a shady seating area close to the ferry across Wadi Shab. It makes an ideal place to enjoy a tea or coffee while…
Doha
This rooftop bar and nightclub has soaring city views and a long bar with a DJ booth behind it. Parties can be wild, but the queues can be long and…
Muscat
Named after the raised ship and its booty of silver treasure that made the fortunes of the Hyatt’s owner, this bar is a sophisticated setting for some…
Bur Dubai
Sip a martini at this dimly lit, stylish cocktail bar and enjoy some smooth live jazz by the resident singer and pianist every night except Sunday, from 9…
Muscat
For Muscat’s perennial hot spot, visit Rock Bottom Café, which has live music every night with a DJ and a dance floor in case the mood takes you.
