Oman - Oman, UAE and Arabian Peninsula - page 273

OFFLINE MAP
( 24 680000; Hotel InterContinental Muscat, Shatti al-Qurm; noon-2am Sat-Tue, noon-3am Wed-Thu,
2pm-2am Fri) More of a pub than a bar, this is a popular expat meeting place, with live music,
a quiz night, televised sport and excellent Western-style bar food.
Grand Hyatt Muscat HIGH TEA
OFFLINE MAP
( 24 641234; Way 3033, off Al-Saruj St, Shatti al-Qurm; afternoon tea OR9; 3-8pm) If you sit sipping
tea long enough in the extravagant foyer of this sumptuous hotel, chances are you'll worry
that the tea was laced: the statue of the Arab on Horseback that graces the central podium
moves just slowly enough to make you suspect you've joined the flight of fancy that in-
spired the architects.
John Barry Bar LOUNGE
OFFLINE MAP
( 24 641234; Grand Hyatt Muscat, Shatti al-Qurm; 2pm-1am Tue & Fri, to 2am Wed & Thu) 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 live piano music and a cocktail.
Entertainment
For classical music lovers, a show at the Royal Opera House Muscat ( Click here ) is a
must if only to enjoy the wonderful Arabian ambience of this superb new venue. Online
bookings can be made or call in on a weekday night if you've packed your glad rags.
Muscat is rather thin on other entertainment options, although the five-star hotels and
some of the smaller ones have bars and nightclubs, usually with live acts. Local 'live acts'
often take the form of gyrating women (typically from India, Russia or North Africa) in
skimpy outfits worn over thick leggings; the women are sometimes contained behind wire
mesh in case the locals find the Arab pop irresistible and insist on dancing along.
For Muscat's perennial hot spot, try Rock Bottom Café OFFLINE MAP (Rockies; 24 564443;
Way 1622, Ramee Guestline Hotel, Qurm; 7pm-3am) , which has live music every night except
Sundays. Time Out Muscat is the best source of information for current favourites.
There are several cinemas in town including Al-Shatti Plaza OFFLINE MAP ( 24 692656)
in Shatti al-Qurm, and Al-Bahja Cinema ( 24 540856 ) in the mall of the same name.