I went to Qatar 3 years ago and explored the nightlife in Doha, the capital, by myself. So whether you have just 24 hours or a longer layover, you will want to make the most out of your stay, including experiencing Doha at night.
You just have to know where the spots are because the bars and clubs are not clustered in one place. Don’t worry! I made a list to explore the nightlife in Doha at its best!
Affiliate Disclaimer: Our blog posts may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we receive a modest commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us fund our team of travel writers, allowing us to continue providing you with the latest travel news, tips, and inspiration. Your support keeps this blog alive and thriving, and we appreciate it immensely. Thank you!
Nightlife in Doha: General info
Do you think of clubbing when you think of Doha? Well, I didn’t! But nightlife in Doha is thriving. Okay, not like New York, for example, but still enough to have a fun time in this city. On weekends the bars and clubs are crowded. But you won’t find any street pubs and bars like in Europe. Instead, all the bars are in hotels only, most in 5-star hotels. So be prepared and wear the correct outfit; otherwise, they don’t let you enter the place. The dress code in most places is smart casual, so don’t wear your flip-flops; they don’t let you enter.
Tip: for the ladies, find a place where it’s ladies’ night! You will get drinks for free.Â
Nightlife in Doha: My favourite bars
Manko Doha – Intercontinental Hotel
It connects with the new La Mar restaurant on its top floor. You can enjoy amazing views of the West Bay Lagoon. There is also an outside area where a bartender makes the best drinks to enjoy a fantastic evening.
The prices of beverages start from QR65, all with fresh ingredients. Just love this place because of the fantastic view. My suggestion is to grab a seat outside to enjoy the view at its best.
Location: Street 900, Bldg. No. 25, Zone 61, Doha
The Rooftop Doha – St. Regis
This bar is located on the rooftop of the luxury St. Regis Hotel in West Bay. One of my favourite rooftop bars. You can enjoy amazing views, the best cocktails and, later on DJ mixes.
Be prepared; the drinks are not cheap.
Location: St. Regis, Doha
Sky View bar – La Cigale Hotel
This name does make sense, right?! Sky View is located in the luxury La Cigale Hotel. The terrace is on the 11th floor, where you can enjoy the skyline of Doha. There is a two-level indoor lounge with a large bar in the middle; this leads out to the open-air balcony terrace, the best place to have a seat. You can order sky cocktails, bites, or sushi selection from the rooftop. Yes, the last one is sooo delicious!
Tip: enjoy the happy hour every Friday to Wednesday between 6-8:30pm.
Location: 60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street Doha
Cigar Lounge – Sharq Village and Spa – Ritz Carlton Hotel
The C Lounge is a new hot spot at the Al Dana restaurant outdoor area. It has views of the Arabian Sea and a backdrop of the Doha Skyline.
At this place, you can enjoy handcrafted cocktails, enjoy smoking shisha and taste the meze selection of the famous chef Liakouris and a seafood counter. All of that in a relaxed atmosphere.
Location: Ras Abu Abboud St, Doha
Boston’s – City Centre Rotana
This is one of the bars in Doha that’s a bit American. Good news for the ladies if you head here on Mondays, you will get FOUR free drinks!
Tip: go for their lemon splash drink; it’s incredible! There is a lot to look at, so dress to impress!
Location: Conference Street 1st Floor, Doha
Nightlife in Doha: Lounges
Noir Lounge & Club – Crowne Plaza Hotel
The Noir Lounge Club finds its inspiration in Hollywood’s ‘ Film Noir’ genre. This means the interior has a style of the middle part of the 20th century. The club with this vintage lounge is located in the heart of Doha West Bay, and it’s all about modern dance music.
A DJ keeps everyone dancing on deep house, crossover r&b and remixed commercials. From 10pm, the focus shifts from lounging to dancing.
Location: District Zone 61, Doha
Society Lounge Rooftop – Hilton Doha
Looking for a club with a fantastic skyline view? This is the one! The Society Lounge Club is located on the rooftop of the Doha Hilton Hotel. It’s a hip lounge and club and a place to see and be seen. You will find a long bar on the rooftop, and behind the long bar sits an elevated DJ booth where DJs spin the hottest tunes every night of the week from the world’s best clubs.
Ladies night: every Tuesday, you will get two free drinks and all night long drinks for QR 30. And on top of that, FREE hair and makeup! From 6pm – 1 am.
Location: Hilton Hotel, Westbay, Doha
Nightlife in Doha: Clubs
The Secret Garden – Kempinski
This place organises various theme nights, and it’s a place where many celebrities will dance until 2 am. Be aware the party truly starts after 11pm and the club is crowded. The DJ mostly play deep house music. It’s a great place to dance in the open air with a lovely view.
Location: Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, Doha
Some tips for nightlife in Doha
- Know Where to Go: Clubs are typically located within five-star hotels due to local regulations. Some popular spots include Crystal at the W Doha, Illusion at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, and Noir at The Kempinski Residences & Suites.
- Dress Code: Dress smart. Most clubs in Doha have a dress code, so be sure to dress appropriately. For men, this typically means trousers and a collared shirt, while women often wear dresses or other formal attire.
- Check the Event: Some clubs in Doha host themed nights or special events. Monitor their social media pages or websites to see what’s happening. Booking a table in advance can be a good idea for popular events.
- Respect Local Customs: While clubs in Doha are more liberal than many other public spaces in the city, it’s still important to respect local customs. Inappropriate behaviour can lead to being asked to leave, or even legal consequences.
- Understand the Alcohol Rules: Alcohol consumption is regulated in Qatar. While it’s available in many clubs and bars, it’s expensive and drinking excessively or becoming intoxicated can lead to trouble. Be sure to consume responsibly.
- Carry Your ID: Always carry an identification card (like your passport) with you, as clubs might check your age. The legal drinking age in Qatar is 21.
- Consider the Time: Most clubs in Doha don’t get busy until around midnight and will stay open until around 2:00 am. It’s worth checking specific opening times as they can vary, especially during Ramadan.
- Use Registered Taxis: If you’re planning to have a drink, make sure you use a registered taxi to get home. Driving under the influence is a serious offence in Qatar.
- Consider the Costs: Nightlife in Doha is generally expensive. Entry fees and drink prices can be high, so be prepared.
- Group Going: It’s usually a good idea to go out as a group, as some clubs have rules against single males entering.