TRAVEL | Top 10 Clubs and Bars in Muscat

May 2020 - Contrary to popular impression of Oman being a part of the Arab countries and therefore conservative, its capital city Muscat can also entertain party goer guests with a number of its dope clubs from Irish pubs to modern chill vibe types. So here is a list of popular spots that you need to experience for yourself.

Runners-Up:

Copacabana | Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel

My first club in Muscat, this place gives a carribean and afro vibes to it. Located at the basement of Grand Hyatt Hotel, the club plays afro beats. Door charge applies.

Copacabana

Safari Club | Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel

This club caters to more expats as the genre of songs played vary from pop to reggaeton. Also located in Grand Hyatt Hotel, the club is popular to younger crowd. Door charge applies.

Safari Club

Habana Sports Bar | Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel

On some days, Habana Sports Bar has a live guitar player that entertains the crowd. It has billiard tables and private rooms as options. Can be really crowded and loud on weekends, and also popular to younger crowd. No door charge.

Habana Sports Club

Zale Bar | Location: Kempinski Muscat Hotel

Zale Bar in Kempinski is your perfect chilled lounge on a weekday and a party venue on weekends. This is an open space club facing the beach and has magnificent sunset views. Best to come visit during the Winter months around September to February. They also offer shisha. No door charge.

Zale Bar

Now we are moving on to the final top 10 list of the best clubs and bars in Muscat. You will be surprised because the clubs are not concentrated in one area, so a bar hopping usually will require some bit of driving - and that's not quite easy to do when you are already tipsy. Remember that Oman has strict rules on drunk driving and there is zero tolerance. Police spot checkpoints are commonly see on weekends from midnight to 3am. So, it is wise to have a guy who won't drink or take a cab (which is pricey), but you have an option to download ride sharing apps like "Marhaba" or "O-Taxi".

10 | On The Rocks | Location: Seeb, near the old airport

Must be the coolest bar you'll bump into in Muscat. During its heydays, it was the place to be for the party people of Oman. Very posh place with state of the art lighting equipment and a huge LCD on its wall to accompany the DJ. The only issue it had was the location, far away from most city dwellers. But I had good memories of this place, staying till it closes at 2am. No door charge.

On The Rocks

9 | Rumba Latina | Location: Darsit

Sounds mexican or latino, but make no mistake about it. There are no tacos or burritos here. Instead, Rumba Lattina is a bar and a complex at the same time. It features top DJs on weekends and also has shisha outside. A lot of international acts were also staged in its garden. Crowd is mostly young party goers so expect some hippy feel to it. Door charge applies during weekends.

Rumba Lattina

8 | Route66 | Location: Shatti Al Qurum

This place is probably the most accessible bar of all the bars in Muscat. Adjacent to Intercontinental Muscat Hotel, Route66 has a regular show of performing bands Monday to Sunday, and a special night for latin social dancing on Mondays and Tuesdays. A group called Muscat Salsa Rueda (check their IG @muscatsalsarueda) conducts Rueda De Casino classes on Saturdays. Door charge applies on special nights and weekends.

Route66

7 | Muscat Hills Golf Club | Location: Seeb

This club enters this list (despite its off location) because it has some really good ambiance to it and hosts live bands on certain nights. The club owner/manager is also very hands on in making sure the guests are well accommodated. Their draft beer and a selection of wine is enough reason to visit them. No door charge.

The Club (Muscat Hills Golf Club)

6 | Muscat Hills Resort - Beats By The Beach | Location: Qantab

Another far flung club, but definitely worth the visit is the Muscat Hills Resort. If you are familiar with Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, the club is very close to it. On certain days, they have the Beats By The Beach with guest DJs from other countries to curate the songs, mostly house and EDM. With a chill vibe and cozy lounge, the experience gets you in the mood to party all night. FYI, DJ Avicii stayed in this resort the night the incident happened. Door charge applies on special nights.

Muscat Beach Resort

5 | Caramel | Location: Royal Opera House

There are only a few clubs where I really get wasted and this must be one of them. Great music and great people - albeit the pricey drinks. But it is a highly recommended place to party with your friends. They do not really require a certain attire, but most of its patrons are wearing smart casual, so that gives you an idea that this has a certain posh level to it. No door charge.

Caramel

4 | Sama Terraza in Park Inn Hotel | Location: Al Khuwair

On quiet days, Sama Terraza is a bar overlooking the city of Muscat. This has quiet ambiance and relaxing mood. They don't really play music here but the open gazeebo and breeze makes a glass of wine so wonderful. However, on days when there is an event like the annual Wet Republic - the place is packed to the roof and the DJs play non-stop upbeat numbers that get the crowd so wild; plus, people swim at the pool. Door charge applies during events.

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Sama Terraza

3 | Milly O'Brien's | Location: Shatti Al Qurum

A small Irish pub, but somehow the place grew on me. I like the place because it was non-pretentious like you can sit there and not be judged by anyone; or just be there and drink your beer without even giving a fuss about people. In short, you have this feeling of me-time all to yourself. And you can actually talk to your friends inside. They have football played on the TV, but it is not very loud so that's tolerable. No door charge.

Milly O'Brien's

2 | Dolphin Village Club | Location: Ghala

This is also a small bar but what makes it special is that on Wednesdays, it's got the unlimited Wine Night and people be flocking this place like crazy during these days. It is fun to be part of a mob of expats. It makes you feel like you belong, and that makes it a good ambiance. Plus, the place has a pool that looks really pleasing to the eyes at night. No door charge.

Dolphin Village Club

1 | Trader Vics | Location: Shatti Al Qurum

And finally my number one pick is none other than Trader Vics. Why? Well, let's just say that here is where I met the best cocktail I had in years called, Tiki Puka Puka. It is a cocktail made from everything you see in the bar mixed with crushed ice and topped with a flower (which I later found that you can actually eat, weird though). And this bar allows people to dance salsa on the floor which makes it really crowded on weekends because everyone who wants to dance and drink are here, including the guests of Intercontinental Hotel. I had so many good memories of this place and I am sure that everyone will love it. No door charge.

What's your favorite bar or club in Muscat, Oman? Share them with us and comment below.