Sky View Bar, La CigaleLuxury Qatar Hotels | Lunch at Al Liwan | Qatar Restaurants | Qatar Bars Drinks with a View
Sky ViewWith a glittering and breathtaking view over much of the city and the bay, including the ever-expanding high rises of modern Doha, we feel that this bar does more than enough to earn its name! The MusicThe music here is eclectic but relaxing, varying from jazz to a gentle techno and with a few things in between - La Cigale calls it chill out music. This wasn't always the case, and in the past guests used to dance to heavy techno. Things in Doha have changed, neighbours complain and the music has been toned down. The Crowd and the ClothesDoha's young and trendy. Put on your designer clothes before you come here. Dress scruffily and you may be turned away! La Cigale is hoping to maintain a certain standard here, and there are also government rules regarding dress which must now be followed. That means no bare shoulders, skirts down to the knees and a minimum of flesh. The PricesDrinks in the Sky Bar are pricey (starting at QAR50 and then up, up and away), but there was a special promotion on when we visited with two fosters for QAR 60 - not bad for a hotel bar in pricey Doha. This is the option we went for, choosing to steer clear of the 40 year old single malt, which comes in at QAR2,200 ($600) per glass. High prices are partly deliberate, as the exclusive La Cigale has no desire to host Doha's riff raff. Fortunately, membership, which is a government requirement for entrance to all bars in Qatar, is free and the entrance fee of 200 riyals is only applied on Thursdays and Fridays.
FoodThere's a range of light food served with a definite emphasis on sushi and Japanese. Sushi ranged from QAR70 for a crab salad to QAR880 for a Sushi and Sashimi boat. There is also a small range of platters and salads. No comment on the quality, I'm afraid, as the prices put us off. (Yes - I'm afraid we are part of Doha's riff raff!) ReservationWhen we visited on a Monday night, the bar was buzzing but not quite full. On other nights it is heaving, and it is essential to reserve a table in advance to avoid disappointment. To make a reservation telephone La Cigale on +974 44 288 888. ConclusionWith superb views and a relaxing atmosphere, this elegant bar is the perfect venue for the elite of Doha and even a (very!) special occasion venue for poverty stricken writers. Essential InformationLocation: La Cigale Hotel - see our review for more information. Check out more Qatar Bars with our Doha Bar Guide. |
