Drink in views of the Doha skyline and out onto the Arabian Gulf as you sip on a curated mocktail under a twinkling sky, with soft beats playing in the background. Dreamy? Yes, but it’s also a reality in Qatar’s capital. In Doha you’ll find scores of rooftop bars with refreshing drinks, killer views and often a sprinkling of live entertainment too. Gaze out over The Pearl, and back towards the city’s sparkling lights – pull up a chair, order a drink and check out our list of the best rooftop bars in the city.
Nobu Rooftop
Wind your way to the third floor of this oyster-shaped building, based at the Four Seasons Hotel, West Bay, where elegant scenes await. You’ll find a smartly dressed crowd enjoying tapas-style bites from Nobu’s lounge menu, and sipping drinks under huge metal fronds that add a dramatic twist to the bar’s 360-degree views over the Arabian Gulf and Doha skyline. Huge candle-lit floor lamps give a cosy, warm feel to the place, which can get busy when the weather’s pleasant. Book ahead to get one of the comfy armchair seats, especially during the pre-8pm happy hour.
The Secret Garden
This pretty rooftop terrace (open during the cooler months) is all twinkling fairylights and large plants, giving the illusion that you are indeed in a garden hideaway. Killer views over The Pearl waterfront add to the ambience and it’s a great place to come for sundowners. After dark, things get a little busier and the music a little louder – DJs kick the party off and the place gets lively. Order up one of the signature refreshing drinks from the bar (there’s a decent list of mixes), or get in early, book a table and tuck into the gourmet bits menu (we like the cute bowls of popcorn, too).
Vertigo
As its name suggests, Vertigo is pretty high up (28 floors to be exact), and its windows offer panoramic views of the city’s skyline. The inside is busy – and we don’t just mean it’s filled with people. There are mirrored ceilings, large wooden sculptures, big screens, laser lights for when things really kick off, and random bits of metal art. Oh, and it’s very popular. Get there early if you want to have a relaxing meal. This place serves up fresh sushi platters on huge shell-shaped trays, as well as a range of dim sum and other light bites, but be warned – this bar gets noisy. Past 9pm, it’s more club than grub.
Tropicana 360
Pretty wooden tables are dotted along the outside of the terrace at the Dusit Doha, with low table lights and giant floor heaters. If you want to avoid being exposed to the elements, 48 floors up, there is also seating inside where you can enjoy the view out onto the terrace as well as over the city skyline. Tuck into grilled mains, pizzas and sushi on this varied menu that also features a cheese platter – perfect for a little apres work nibble. Look out for brunch, ladies night and happy hour deals.
Infinity Rooftop Lounge Doha
Things get busy at this neon-lit lounge atop Alwadi Doha Hotel. Sit and enjoy views over the skyline among pretty purple bubble lights, and select a mocktail from the extensive menu – it's inspired by ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ and as such you can expect to find signature drinks from different countries, served with bright flower garnishes and a lot of pizazz. There’s food too (sliders and bar bites, as well as fresh poké), but it’s the lively atmosphere and extensive bar menu that draws the crowds.
Cocoo Doha
This relative newcomer to the Doha rooftop bar scene is a goody. The decor is all wood paneling, big hanging lamps, floor-to-ceiling windows with dark framing, a central tower of bottles on display, and mixologists who seriously know their stuff. Order a drink and sit yourself near one of the huge windows to enjoy views over Lusail Plaza Towers. The crowd, like the surroundings, is too cool for school, and after dark the tunes get turned up and the party really begins. You won’t be sitting down for long.
Acoustic Music Penthouse
This two-storey rooftop bar is, as the name suggests, dedicated to live music. Here, you’ll find live soul and jazz music in a beautiful, unpretentious space that has low tables, wicker-backed armchairs and accents of wood and dark paneling – in short, it looks like a jazz lounge (but with a view over the Doha skyline). Order up food from the Silk-Road inspired tapas menu, or dive straight into the sweet dessert menu, which includes dulce de leche flavours, carrot cake and date pudding. The curated drinks menu is well worth diving into – try the spiced sorrel syrup with lemon.
Zengo
There are several stars of the show at Zengo. One of them is the views from the 61st floor of the Kempinski Residences & Suites in West Bay, and another is the food. You won’t find your standard bar fare here – instead, the menu is curated by Chef Richard Sandoval, and you can expect sushi, grilled Wagyu, wok dishes, and glazed Chilean seabass (among others). You’ll also find gluten free, kids’ menus, dairy free and vegan options available. If you don’t fancy the eats, book in for sunset drinks at the swish bar tables overlooking the Doha skyline.
