Information on nightlife in Amman may be difficult to find but the Jordan Times (website: www.jordantimes.com) has a list of what is on and where for every day. There seems to be little distinction between venues with many multi-tasking. Some cafes and restaurants become pubs at night. Some of the top places don't serve alcohol and there is little or nothing staying open later than 0100 or 0200.

Bars: The Irish Pub can be found in the basement of the Dove Hotel between the Fourth and Fifth Circles. It's not much like an Irish pub but is a popular dance venue, particularly on Thursday nights. Salute is located behind the Iraqi Embassy between the First and Second Circles and is popular with the young crowd who favour loud music. The Big Fellow, in the Sheraton Entertainment Centre off Abdoun Circle, is dedicated to the memory of Michael Collins and serves proper Irish traditional food and Guinness.

Clubs: JJ's, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Third Circle, has British DJs playing the latest music, attracting well off young Ammanis and expats. Kanabaye on Third Circle is a cafe restaurant that metamorphoses into a packed nightspot with great salsa nights.

Live Music: The Blue Fig, on Al-Amir Hashem bin Al-Hussein Street (website: www.1stjordan.net/bluefig), has live music weekly as well as several bars, a movie room and outside terrace. Thursday nights are very busy. For a more cultured musical experience try the Royal Cultural Centre. This is in the Shmeisani area not far from the Regency Palace Hotel at Interior Circle.