Qatar is an Islamic country without much in the way of native night time festivities and action—a fact that makes expert nightlife recommendations all the more useful for the Doha tourist!

Dohan nightlife is Western and confined to hotels.  Still, it’s not bad.  The Diplomatic Club at the Al-Multaqa is a British retreat of cigars, liquors, fish, and chips worth exploring.  Another club, Admirals at the Ritz , has a nautical feel, seaside view, and a high-brow bar of expense cocktails and vintage wines.  With different dance and music themed nights, the Admiral Club is a ritzy place in which to relax after a hot Dohan day.

Also at the Ritz is Habanos, a more conservative Jazz and Cigar bar with a live pianist and/or Reggae band.

The tiny Cloud Nyn night club of the Mewreb Hotel adds pop flair to the traditional religious Qatarian nightscape; La Paloma at the Intercontinental Doha is the after-party place, with DJ, live music, and bar keeping the capital bumping into the wee hours.

The Sheraton also has a bar with live music and Aussie Legends at the Rydges Hotel provides the expected Old World feel the weary Westerner can delight in when homesick.

So keep your eyes and ears open, the Dohan nights are more starry than they appear.