Ironically, for the expats who call this Irish boozer a home from home, Feeney's has upped sticks again and is now at the Beach Bay Hotel. Muscat's first Irish pub has all the charms of an Emerald Isle tavern: a warm welcome, cold Guinness, decent grub and live music. It gets packed at the weekend.

It's hard to join the dots here: this oft-packed sports bar, named after a Cuban capital is decked out like an African colonialist's hunting lodge. However, look past the décor and you'll find the best place to get a decent pint with some pub grub and watch live football, rugby and F1.

While its name conjures up ideals of grafting poets and drunken painters, the Left Bank actually looks more airport lounge than a bohemian wine house. Still, the cocktails are delectable, especially if taken on the terrace come sunset. There are regular drink deals too, including a very popular ladies night on Mondays.

Located in the Safari Entertainment Complex of the Grand Hyatt Muscat, this lively venue is decked out in faux-African decorations and has a resident DJ spinning tunes late into the night. While the dancefloor is pretty petite, the crowd still make the most of it, especially after a few happy hour drinks.

For those for whom East Coast means less Mombasa and more Mexico, Pavo Real offers tequila-fuelled dancing at weekends (Wednesday and Thursday nights in Muscat). While it's essentially a Mexican restaurant, there are dance parties on Thursdays as well as live bands and karaoke throughout the week. The food is decent too.

For modish maraca shaking, there's a nightly ensemble getting things going at Trader Vic's, a Polynesian-inspired bar at the InterContinental Hotel. The dance floor is limited but it doesn't stop diners and divas jostling for hip space - especially after one or two of the venue's well-mixed cocktails.

His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos, is a classical music enthusiast and concerts are occasionally performed at Al-Bustan Hotel, a super sharp Ritz-Carlton property right on the beachfront. Else you can hear sophisticated piano and violin music that's often performed as an accompaniment to afternoon tea or dinner.

Nestled away as part of the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, the name of this classy, aquatic-hued cocktail bar all but gives the game away. Among the margarita and mojito nights, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, expect a light tinkling of the ivories in the corner as stylish clientele sup away at some superb concoctions.

Offering a world-class programme of classical orchestras, jazz stars and Arabian musicians, the elegant Royal Opera House opened in 2011 and is still the best place to go for theatre, dance and to see the fantastic Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra. Note: it has a smart dress code, so not trainers or jeans. Shows September to May.