Nightlife in the Middle East: The Ultimate After-Hours Guide

Best for: Something Trendy
Destination: La Cantine du Faubourg, 1st floor, Emirates Towers Hotel, Trade Centre 2
For a dining experience that will transport you to Paris, try La Cantine du Faubourg. Boasting both Parisian delicacies and a selection of international dishes, it’s a great location for lunch with friends or for weekend cocktails.

Best for: Dancing till Dawn
Destination: Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, off Sheikh Zayed Road, Ghantoot Exit 399, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotels and Resort
For a night out of another kind, spend an evening at Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE. Unlike your typical nightclub, come dressed-down and beach-ready to party the night away in a relaxed, after-hours atmosphere.

Best for: Epic View
Destination: At.mosphere Burj Khalifa, 122nd Floor, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
To experience a high-altitude view like no other, there’s only one place you need to visit in Dubai. Sitting comfortably on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, At.mosphere provides what is considered to be one of the world’s most luxurious dining and lounge experiences.

Best for: Date Night
Destination: 101 Dining Lounge & Bar, One & Only The Palm Palm Jumeirah
The 101 Dining Lounge and Bar at the One & Only Palm Jumeirah is perfect for a romantic evening away from it all. The waterfront location, stunning skyline view, and soothing music provide an escape from reality, if only for a few hours.

Best for: Off the Beaten Path
Destination: Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai, Jumeirah Beach
The aptly named “Stereo Arcade” doesn’t leave much to the imagination. With a selection of arcade games, old school tunes, and a ‘90s feel, all that’s left for you to do is grab your friends and don all your favorite throw-back accessories.

Best for: Something Trendy
Destination: MYU, Gouraud Street, Gemmayze
MYU is a chic, trendy restaurant that attracts chic, trendy people. Housed in a former factory, the venue has an industrial edge that calls out to the cool kids of Beirut. If people-watching is your thing, the huge glass windows that look out on to the busy street will help you decide where to sit.

Best for: Dancing till Dawn
Destination: WHITE, East Suburbs
Considered the beating heart of Beirut’s nightlife, White is the after-dark venue for the clubbing experience that Beirut is famous for. With pulsing energy and an electric atmosphere, along with international DJs and a cosmopolitan crowd, the club promises a night to remember.

Best for: Epic View
Destination: IRIS, 122nd Floor, An-Nahar Building, Downtown
If you’re looking for somewhere to unwind, then head to the top of the An-Nahar building in downtown Beirut. There, you’ll find Iris, the rooftop bar with the best seats in the house. What better way to welcome in the weekend? Get yours started with a raspberry daiquiri—you won’t regret it.

Best for: Date Night
Destination: PACIFICO, Monot Street
For an evening out with your other half, head to Pacifico. Renowned for its delicious Mexican cuisine, the venue has proven to be a genuine success amongst the foodies of Beirut. Be sure to try the frozen lemon margarita while you’re there.

Best for: Off the Beaten Path
Destination: B-018, Sea Port
Hidden under a rather unassuming car park lies B-018, the city’s underground, after-hours clubbing destination. Rumor has it that the plot of surrounding land is actually a graveyard, making the atmosphere all the more eerie—of course, that isn’t enough to stop the party people of Beirut.

Best for: Something Trendy
Destination: Laval, Ghala Golf Club
A relatively new addition to Muscat’s nightlife scene, Laval already has a huge following in the city. Guests can choose to sit inside and admire the beautiful décor, or take in the surrounding view out on the rooftop terrace.

Best for: Dancing till Dawn
Destination: On The Rocks, Al Marid Street
If you’re after a buzzing atmosphere in a beautiful location, then look no further. With a contemporary design and open kitchen, you can watch your food cook in front of you. Later in the evening, the DJ will have you up and out of your seats while you dance under the neon blue lights.

Best for: Epic View
Destination: B.A.B. Lounge, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa
Sitting on top of the renowned Bait Al Bahr’s rooftop is a contemporary addition to Muscat’s nightlife scene. The B.A.B. lounge is a great relaxation venue where guests are invited to try various cocktails and canapés whilst taking in the beautiful view. Happy hour is from 5pm til 7.30pm.

Best for: Date Night
Destination: The Restaurant at The Chedi, Al Khuwair
For an intimate evening, head to The Restaurant at The Chedi for a few hours of delicious food with a chic and buzzing bar scene. Make sure you explore the wine list before enjoying a glass—or a bottle—in the flickering candlelight.

Best for: Off the Beaten Path
Destination: Route 66, Al Qurum Resort
Route 66 is an American style bar and lounge located on the first floor of the Al Qurum Resort Hotel. With an idyllic beach setting, this little place offers something for everyone and is popular among groups of friends who want to relax with a cocktail by the sea.

Best for: Something Trendy
Destination: The Rooftop at the St. Regis, West Bay
For an eclectic mix of international vibes, spend an evening at The Rooftop at the St. Regis. The beautiful terrace makes for a stunning after-hours location, and with good music and even better company, why would you say no?

Best for: Dancing till Dawn
Destination: Crystal, W Doha Hotel & Residences, West Bay
With its laid-back atmosphere and elegant dress code, Crystal aims to redefine nightlife in Doha. Known for its champagne bar and namesake chandelier, Crystal is a go-to for local residents and weekend visitors alike.

Best for: Epic View
Destination: Sky View at La Cigale Hotel, 60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street
If you don’t mind heights, make sure you pay a visit to the Sky View Lounge at La Cigale Hotel. Sitting on a top floor, you can gaze at the city lights while sipping on one of the specialty cocktails.

Best for: Date Night
Destination: Mykonos, Hotel Intercontinental Doha, Al Isteqlal Road, West Bay
For a dining experience that includes feta cheese, moussaka, and kebabs, treat your tastebuds to dinner at Mykonos. If the food isn’t enough to convince you, the beautiful interior and stunning views certainly will.

Best for: Off the Beaten Path
Destination: Jazz at Lincoln Center St. Regis, The St. Regis Doha, West Bay
Also located at the St. Regis, Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha brings live performances and world-class jazz artists to Qatar. Open on Thursdays and Fridays, you can swing by and enjoy a dinnertime performance by the jazz band at 8pm. We think you might just stay for the later show, too.

Best for: Something Trendy
Destination: Masso, Shaikh Isa Ave
Ideal for large groups, Masso invites people to enjoy not only Mediterranean food, but the Mediterranean culture itself. The appetizing menu is reason enough to visit, and the stunning outdoor area will make your dining experience all the more worthwhile.

Best for: Dancing till Dawn
Destination: Downtown at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain, Building No 150, 1507 King Faisal Highway
With a buzzing atmosphere, live performances, and reputable location, Downtown at the InterContinental Regency is a go-to hangout for guests looking for an evening of music and dancing.

Best for: Epic View
Destination: Meisei Rooftop, Rd No 3830
Meisei is a must for those who love Asian cuisine. The contemporary restaurant has a rooftop area that offers a beautiful view along with the fine dining experience. And if you have a sweet tooth, make sure you order the banana chocolate brownie.

Best for: Date Night
Destination: La Vinoteca Barcelona, Rd No 3931
This one is for the foodies of Bahrain. Renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine and Torres wines, La Vinoteca Barcelona is sure to tempt your taste buds. Serving all-day tapas and desserts you might dream about afterwards, this is a wonderful place to enjoy a table for two.

Best for: Off the Beaten Path
Destination: Café Lilou, Adliya area & Seef District
Inspired by Moulin Rouge and the Lido, Café Lilou is a traditional French brasserie located in the heart of Bahrain. Famous for its brunch during the work week and on weekend mornings, this café turns into a lounge when night falls. Its straightforward French fare may have you tricked into thinking that this is just another restaurant, but its after-hours transformation makes this one of the edgiest spots in town.

Best for: Something Trendy
Destination: Le Comptoir, Avenue Echouhada
For both traditional Moroccan and international cuisine, oriental live shows, and an upbeat clubbing experience, be sure to check out Le Comptoir. Comprising a restaurant, club, and patio, this nightlife venue is the right balance of traditional and contemporary.

Best for: Dancing till Dawn
Destination: So Lounge, Rue Haroun Errachid
With live music and a beautiful outdoor area, So Lounge is an exquisite little place for a fun-filled evening with friends. If you need direction when it comes to ordering a drink, try the Moroccan wine or one of their delicious cocktails.

Best for: Epic View
Destination: The Sky Lounge at Pearl Marrakech Hotel, Angle Av. Echouhada and Rue Du Temple, Hivernage
Perched on top of the Pearl Marrakech Hotel is Sky Lounge, a chic rooftop bar that invites guests to enjoy its relaxed atmosphere from AM to PM. The lounge comes alive at night, and serves food until late in the evening.

Best for: Date Night
Destination: Bo & Zin, Route de l' Ourika km 3,5
Upon your arrival at Bo & Zin, you can choose to take a seat in the dining room or dine in one of the nomadic tents in the garden. The menu is another decision in itself, with a fusion of Asian and Moroccan flavors to choose from—and don’t get us started about the wine list.

Best for: Off the Beaten Path
Destination: Mariinski, Route des Jardins de la Palmeraie
Known for its popular playlists, Mariinski has a welcoming vibe from the moment you step foot in the door. For a night of dancing at somewhere elegant yet affordable, this is your next stop.