Fun and entertainment Mascate

More lounge than festive, it is the archetype of a grand hotel piano bar: an elegant and sophisticated place, where the voices are subdued by the lighting. Thick carpets and heavy curtains soften the sounds to let the timeless notes of the grand piano take centre stage. We languished in deep, rich armchairs, not without noticing the astonishing library where bottles from all over the world glisten. The service is to the rider: chic and discreet and you can smoke on the terrace. Proper attire is required at the entrance.

Welcome to Great Britain, in the leather and woodwork atmosphere of an English pub. This is the place where the country's Anglo-Saxon community gathers, the meeting place for expats over a nice fresh pint. Here it is impossible to get bored, depending on your mood, you can play billiards or darts, follow the latest sports event broadcast on the big screen, take part in a quiz night, listen to a live concert... The atmosphere is always friendly, the staff is friendly and you can even enjoy a few English dishes on the spot.

It's a chance to cross the Grrrrrand Hyatt's grandiose looby. Contemporary and glamorous, the John Barry Bar is one of the most chic hotel bars in the capital, sifted just enough to get the urge to curl up in its deep armchairs or share a moment with other guests in the halo of the lighted bar. A snacking-couture (tapas menu), a surprising or explosive cocktail, and here is a pretty evening that begins or ends, and why not on the large terrace opening onto the pool and the garden.

Perched on the hill above the Qurm nature park, this is a place that's mostly frequented after work or at weekends. A relaxed, trendy lounge atmosphere, modern decor, high tables with stools, sofas and an imposing bar. The à la carte menu offers an uncreative choice of dishes - pizzas, burgers, fish & chips, tapas to share and more. The main reason for coming is to enjoy a drink or cocktail in a musical atmosphere that can sometimes be festive. Plus: the deck with its panoramic view of the coast and city lights.

We go through the lobby of the Park Inn and take the elevator up to the top floor of the hotel. From there you can access the Sama Terrazza, one of the most beautiful rooftop terraces in the city, with a bar with panoramic views. Deep armchairs bask in the subdued halo of the pool - lounge atmosphere. The place is nice and regularly frequented by the French-speaking community of Muscat. Beers, wines, cocktails, small snack menu, dance floor, live music or ambient, DJ on weekend evenings.

In the annex on the right before the entrance to the Grand Hyatt, here is a small temple of entertainment with an Afro theme, the trend being "Africa is a good hostess". Unimpressed by the congolo-cardboard-paste reliefs of this fake decor of a Sindbadian version of The Lion King, the bands of friends drink and get into a nice racket. Yes, it's festive, cheesy as hell, so come in a Magnum-style flowered shirt on the weekend! On the roof, there's a grill to feed the hungry. In the same building: Habana Sports Bar with restaurant, billiards, sports broadcasts.

Less impressive than the atrium of the Ritz Al Bustan hotel, but more central and also very oriental, the lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel is a chic, calm and hushed place where, in the exotic ballet of men in dishdashas, come to have an English high tea with scones and salted delicacies. Mainly frequented by Omanis, the place, all gilded, drapes, stained glass windows and arabesques, has a real power of disorientation and one feels invited in a large Arab residence. Snacking menu also for the small sweet or salty hunger.