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Amman Nightlife

Amman bars and clubs range from ultra-trendy and ultra-expensive stomping grounds for the city’s rich, to sleazy flesh-markets frequented by desperate men. There's plenty of the latter.

Information on nightlife in Amman may be difficult to find but the Jordan Times (www.jordantimes.com) has daily listings. Some of the top places don't serve alcohol and there is little to nothing that stays open later than 0100 or 0200.

Bars in Amman

Big Fellow

The Big Fellow, in the Sheraton Entertainment Centre off Abdoun Circle, is dedicated to the memory of Ireland's charismatic revolutionary leader, Michael Collins. It serves up traditional Emerald Isle food and plenty of imported Guinness, which usually comes with a decent shamrock in the head. The Big Fellow is a good spot to park yourself if you want to catch up on your sports as the TV screens are usually alive with some match or other.

Address: Jebel Amman, Abdoun Circle, Amman,
Telephone: (06) 593 4766

JR The Wine Experience

JR The Wine Experience is the perfect place for wine enthusiasts to get a taste of the unique heritage of the area and catch a glimpse into the wine making industry. You can discover more than 40 international handpicked grape varieties during a lavish and luxurious wine tasting experience. 

Address: Shmeisani, Abdali Boulevard, Amman,
Telephone: +962 7 9934 4676
Website: http://jr.jo/jr-wine-experience/

Living Room

If you’re looking for a good spot to enjoy a drink at sunset, make your way to the Living Room. This hugely popular bar has a little something for everyone, including decent meals, music and a full menu of non-alcoholic drinks. However the cocktails are the real crowd pleaser and they are best consumed on The Loft – the bar’s roof terrace with a lovely downtown view. Once the sun has disappeared, the Living Room is a comfortable, refined setup with an unassuming air.

Address: Jebel Amman, Mohammed Hussein Haikal Street, Amman,
Telephone: +962 6 465 5988.

Rover’s Return

If the name doesn't give the game away, the red, oversized phone box perched outside the Rover's Return usually does. This is an English-style pub, named after the boozer in Coronation Street, and much like its namesake it can get a little rowdy. Usually though, it's full of good cheer. It attracts a blend of locals, expats and tourists and the wooden trimmings give it a cosy, lived-in feel. It's a friendly spot for a draught beer or two and good for watching sport, especially football. Be warned though, it can get quite smoky.

Address: Sweifieh, Ali Nasouh al-Taher St, Amman,
Telephone: (06) 581 4844

Saluté

Saluté, located opposite Fakhr El-Din restaurant behind the Iraqi Embassy, is a feisty, trendy bar popular with the young crowd who favour their music loud. The view from the terrace is impressive as is the line of decent beer brands on sale here. The bar also does food, for those looking for a little something to line the stomach.

Address: Jabal Amman, Second Circle, Amman,
Telephone: +962 6 465 1458

The Irish Pub

The Irish Pub can be found in the basement of the Dove Hotel between the Fourth and Fifth Circles. It's not much like any taproom you'd find in Dublin, but just as in Ireland, its popularity is steered by its music and it's a favoured dance venue, particularly on Thursday nights. It also serves up some hearty food, including fish and chips and chicken quesadilla, and is known to host dart tournaments and salsa nights. Sports are also shown on a large screen.

Address: Jabbal Amman, Dove Hotel, 16 Ryiad Al Mefleh St, Amman,
Telephone: (06) 5697 683
Website: http://www.dove-hotel.com/irish.html

Clubs in Amman

Harir Lounge

The Harir Lounge is the place in town for the young and beautiful. DJs from around the world spin the crowd into a frenzy, especially on the weekend. It's also a popular spot for live bands which helps facilitate a growing local scene in the city. Keep an ear out for the powerful melodies of El Morabba3, who play regularly, and who attract a set of well-heeled Jordanian party-goers. Harir Lounge is located upstairs on the popular Abdoun Circle.

Address: Jebel Amman, Abdoun Circle, Amman,
Telephone: Tel: (06) 592 5205.

JJ's

JJ's, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel near Third Circle, has British DJs playing the latest chart music, attracting young, well off locals and expats. The music is fairly eclectic, as are the cocktails, and both are usually met with enthusiasm. Open slightly later than many drinking holes in the city, this is the place to show the locals your latest dance moves.

Address: Jebel Amman, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Al-Hussein bin Ali Street, Amman,
Telephone: (06) 465 1234
Website: http://amman.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/JJs.html

Live music in Amman

Blue Fig

For starters, The Blue Fig has live music weekly. It also boasts several bars, a restaurant, a café, a bakery, a movie room and an outside terrace. The owners certainly don’t do anything by halves, so everything from the food to the films is excellent, but it’s the music that hits the right note. The Blue Fig sees itself as a base for the city’s alternative, culturally appreciative crowd. Call ahead for a schedule of upcoming bands.

Address: , Irbid St 30, Amman,
Telephone: +962 6 592 8800.
Website: http://www.bluefig.com

Royal Cultural Centre

For a more sophisticated musical experience, try the Royal Cultural Centre which occasionally hosts concerts, usually in Arabic. It is the first centre of its kind in the country and is located in the Shmeisani area, not far from the Regency Palace Hotel at Interior Circle. As well as live music, there are often visual art, dance and drama performances staged here. Small but significant, there is room for up to 300 people in the auditorium, and the centre provides translations for some shows.

Address: Shmeisani, Al-Malekah Alia Street, Shmeisani, Amman,
Telephone: +962 6 581 6181
Website: http://www.rcc.gov.jo

Classical music in Amman

Dance in Amman

Theatres in Amman

Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts

The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is a complex of cinemas, theatres and exhibition spaces. It hosts a variety of activities and their handy monthly programme lists them all. This is also the venue for the Jordan Film Festival each May. It promotes itself as a disseminator of culture and the arts from both the Islamic and developing worlds, sometimes quite literally when the owners send out their touring museum truck around the country.

Address: Jabal Al-Waibdeh, Suleiman Al-Nabulsy Street, Amman, 11191
Telephone: (06) 463 0128.
Website: http://www.nationalgallery.org

Music and Dance in Amman

Culture in Amman

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Corp Amman Hotel

Located opposite the Royal Cultural Centre, the Corp Amman Hotel has 108 rooms, so if there's nothing on across the road, it opens up ample bargaining opportunities for nabbing a knocked down price. Sleeping quarters approach apartment sizes, and each comes with a large TV, free Wi-Fi and soundproofed windows. The small gym and swimming pool is enough to keep guests primed during their stay, while the rooftop lounge is best at dusk.

Four Seasons Hotel Amman

Undoubtedly the city's most luxurious hotel, the Four Seasons knows its place as it sits atop the highest of the Amman's Jabels (hills). Naturally, the hotel's signature service, beds and ambience are otherworldly, but you can't put a price on its wonderful views. Dead Sea mud treatments and salt scrubs are available in its spa and its run of excellent onsite restaurants might mean you don't eat anywhere else.

ibis Amman

With a solid stamp of standardisation, ibis Amman works hard to provide perennial hotel needs: quiet rooms, decent beds and clean bathrooms. The location is central enough, while Wi-Fi and breakfast is included as part of the deal. Funky, Ikea-like furniture adorns the public spaces and staff are super helpful.

Toledo Hotel

Modern with a hint of faux-Moorish architecture, this moderately priced, 4-star hotel combines a great location with tasteful decoration and air-conditioned bliss. Under the shadows of some 5-star stalwarts, Toledo Hotel offers decent room dimensions, a restaurant that marries East and West, plus a spa with a lap pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Amman

At Crowne Plaza hotel, you can overlook the white city of Amman. International fast food restaurants, the main shopping area of Sweifiyeh, and the popular Gold Souk of Um Utheina are within walking distance. This 5 star hotel is an acclaimed destination for business trips, family visits and even solo travels to Jordan.

The Amman Pasha Hotel

Look past the floral bedspreads, and rise above the dodgy water pressure, and The Amman Pasha Hotel is a bit of a bargain. Leaning towards the hostel side of accommodation, rooms are clean and staff are friendly, and there’s a lovely roof terrace. The quirky café is adorned with stained glass windows, and Arabian carpets and onsite cooking classes are worth a few hours of your time. Toss up between rooms with views of the Roman Theatre or those away from the hubbub of the road outside. Breakfast is included.