Nightlife in Muscat

An elegant city fronting on the sea, Muscat is a must-visit destination for visitors to Oman. Like many cities whose wealth is based on oil, there's an air of prosperous gentility about the Omani capital; and despite the shiny newness of many of its buildings, there's still a strong air of tradition about its architecture and pace of life.

However, Muscat is also a rapidly developing, progressive kind of place, and although its nightlife is certainly more low-key than that in any Western destination, there's still plenty to keep you occupied during the evening hours. Read on for tips on how to enjoy the nightlife in Muscat.

A typical Omani evening out often involves a visit to one of the many excellent local cafés to drink strong Turkish coffee, smoke flavoured tobacco in a shisha pipe, and perhaps engage in a few friendly games of backgammon. It's a great way to get a taste of the local culture while sitting back and watching the world go by.

Muscat also offers an outstanding selection of restaurants covering just about every type of cuisine you could wish for, including Turkish, Lebanese, Chinese, Italian, Indian and more. Eating establishments located in residential areas may not be licensed, however, so if you're keen on enjoying some wine or beer with your meal, head to busier, more tourist-frequented neighbourhoods such as Al Khuwair, Ruwi and Qurm for dinner.

Although alcohol consumption is not banned in Muscat, it is strictly regulated and only hotels and establishments located outside residential areas are likely to hold a license. For this reason the drinking scene is largely confined to the major hotels and other areas that expats and tourists frequent, although there are a number of good independent establishments as well if you know where to look.

Remember, drinks are likely to be more expensive than you're accustomed to, and as many establishments are spread out across the city you'll have to budget accordingly for taxis if you plan to bar hop (the concierge staff at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat, will be able to help with directions and transportation).

Expat favourites tend to include O'Malleys Irish pub at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat, a cosy venue that offers an excellent range of beers and ales, as well as live music and televised sporting events. Another favourite is The Al Ghazal pub, a friendly, English-style bar with good food and a popular quiz night.

For cocktails and dancing, try the popular Copacabana (probably the closest thing Muscat has to a Western-style nightclub) or the Rock Bottom Café, another venue preferred by expats – these both play a good variety of international tunes and feature a laid-back atmosphere, which means you can get away with comfortable, smart-casual dress. Bear in mind, though, that for all its modernity, Oman is still a fairly conservative society, so it's usually a good idea to dress modestly out of respect for the local culture.

Many bars and cafés in Muscat offer live music each night – this ranges from high-end cover bands and visiting international acts at some of the swankier hotels, to Arabic or Indian-inspired stage shows featuring traditional music and dance. Many lounge bars, such as Shangri-La's Piano Lounge and the John Barry Bar, feature live piano or jazz performers.

Another cultural highlight is the Royal Opera House Muscat, opened in 2011 as part of Sultan Qaboos' efforts to foster the arts in his country. This 1100-seat venue hosts frequent performances by local musicians and singers, touring opera companies, and visiting international stars. It is also home to the "Opera Galleria", a collection of boutique shops, restaurants, cafés and design exhibitions that make the venue a one-stop entertainment destination.

Can you recommend a good destination for nightlife in Muscat?