Gay Travel Guide to Amman

Why yes, we do love to read. Oh wait, you meant read books? Well, they’re great too! The Books@Cafe is a lovely spot to swing by during the day. It’s a quiet corner amid the thriving city of Amman, where you can grab a coffee, some sweet brunch-y treats, and tuck into a good book.

As the day creeps into the wee hours, the DJ comes out, music comes on, and the dancefloor opens. Known for being the first internet café in Jordan, Books@Cafe has helped connect Amman to the modern world, where young, closeted gay kids can find one another, and where progressive views can be shared.

On top of the Shepherd Hotel is the ever-so-chic, ever-so-sleek, ever-so glam, District Bar! Its outdoor terrace is always packed full of locals and travelers socializing, drinking, and dancing, as they take in the sights of Amman's unique Old Town.

Everyone we met had a fascinating story to tell. We left with a heap of new travel buddies to keep in touch with. District has a wide selection of food and drinks, and most importantly, cocktails! The staff was also very kind and welcoming, taking time to walk us through their suggestions, making our experience unbeatable.

Another popular rooftop bar in Amman – atop the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel. This was the venue for our date night – romantic sunset cocktails! Wandering around Club on Five is like finding the perfect blend between the old and new world. Everything looks sophisticated and modern, yet the level of service and charm of the staff made us feel like we were in a 1950s lounge bar.

It’s a rooftop bar, so as you sip on your drinks, you can look out onto the dramatic skyline of Amman. The view is particularly beautiful during the Azan call for evening prayers which creates an almost ethereal-like atmosphere. There is a good mix of cocktails including Margaritas, Old-Fashioneds, and Sour Mojitos. Food-wise, they offered a mix of salads, tacos, truffle fries, and falafel.

Hot. Loud. Intense. A sensation! There’s no way to truly capture the experience at Nü House of Music. The word “nü” translates to “now” and “the current moment”, which we think perfectly encapsulates the experience. It’s all about celebrating the present, throwing all your regrets of the past and your anxieties about the future away.

If you’re a hardcore raver, you won’t want to miss out on this place. Their expert sound system and lighting design are on another level – you can practically feel the vibrations of the music on your skin!

Locals told us that Trader Vic’s was “home to the best tropical cocktails” so we had to put that to the test! After sampling one (ok more like 5…) drinks for ourselves, we can happily confirm that they were right. The bar was originally opened in California by keen nomad Vic “The Trader” Bergeron, who was inspired by the cuisine he encountered whilst traveling.

Fast forward, and Trader Vic’s has taken the world, including Amman, by storm! They also feature live music acts and themed events. The most popular themed party at Trader Vic's to check out is, “Latin Night”.

To get a true sense of the Jordanian spirit, visit the Sufra restaurant. They are all about reveling in their ancestral traditions through its cozy, homely ambience, hiring welcoming staff, and featuring a menu filled with authentic national dishes. It’s the closest you’ll come to experiencing mealtime in a Jordanian household.

We dined out on the terrace, watching the sunset behind the stony Amman skyline, whilst gorging on hummus and bread for mains, and a delicious plate of raha (a Turkish delight) and biscuits for dessert. Heads up – Sufra is a very popular spot, so we recommend booking ahead of visiting.

From its modest beginnings as a small corner shop, set up by the candy-crazed l-Haj Mahmoud Habibah and his brother in 1951, to one of Jordan’s most successful chain stores, Habibah is THE place to go for indulging your sweet tooth.

This is where we tried our first helping of kunafa, a delicious pastry dripping in sweet syrup, and topped with cream, cheese, and pistachios.

The staff behind the counter were super welcoming and friendly, and made us excited to tuck into our treats – and most importantly, did not judge us when we returned for a second, third, and fourth helpings…!

Levant is a love letter to Arabic cuisine. It is everything wonderful about Middle Eastern culture, with friendly staff, beautiful décor, and delicious food. Word of advice? Book ahead, as you simply won’t get in otherwise. We were massively impressed by its jam-packed menu, which was full of items that originate across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. From doughy manti to succulent chicken liver, it is truly the best the Middle East has to offer.

Cozy, plush seating, open fire pits, and soft lighting make Mijana the perfect place for a relaxing evening meal. There is an outdoor terrace, where you can sit and people watch. Lots of people come here to try their famous shisha, so don’t be alarmed when you walk in and see plumes of white-flavored smoke puffing from various directions.

Their menu is fairly broad, with a mix of traditional and international items. Think pizzas and pasta, kebabs and salads, plus soujok (spicy sausage).

What started off as a small business on Rainbow Street has now become one of the city’s most popular restaurants. They’ve even opened a 2^nd shop! They are best known for their Egyptian Feteer pies – which we happily scoffed down in minutes. The idea for the store came from one man’s wish to share his love of traditional food with the local community.

He also wanted to celebrate Egyptian culture as well, and it’s easy to see how much that has influenced the menu. The owner also takes pride in serving his community by employing local young people and teaching them how to celebrate their culture through cooking. Which we love!

Built in the 2^nd century, there is no denying how significant the Roman Theater is in Jordanian history and culture. It fits up to 6,000 people and is easily one of the most impressive theaters we’ve ever been to. Though, I hadn’t realized how afraid of heights I was until I stood at the very top of it.

Those ancient audiences must have had extreme resistance to vertigo. Today, the theater is still used as a performance space, for events like the Amman International Book Fair, the Amman Marathon prize ceremony, and the Al-Balad Music Festival.

The Amman Citadel is an archaeological site in downtown Amman. It is filled with ancient structures and is believed to have been occupied since the Neolithic Period. The most notable things to watch out for are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.

It is also home to the Jordan Archaeological Museum, which brings visitors through the site's history, from prehistoric times to the 15th century. Inside is a collection of artifacts from the Citadel and other Jordanian historic sites. It displays everyday items like glass, pottery objects, jewelry, and statues.

Don’t make the same mistake we made – despite the name, this is not a gay-themed street! Sadly. It just happens to be called Rainbow Street. A bustling thoroughfare that cuts right through the heart of Amman, we enjoyed wandering down there every evening as it sent our senses spiraling.

The pungent scent of spices wafting from the restaurants, the loud chattering of friends and families wandering around the shops, the splash of color of artworks and food on shop fronts, and the brimming Jordanian heat on your skin. It is utterly unmissable!

Falling in love with Jordan? Prepare to fall even deeper by visiting the Jordan Museum. A series of three galleries that detail Jordan’s ancient history, how its modern culture came to be, and what its people hope for its future, we believe a visit here is a fantastic way to kickstart your journey in Jordan.

Not only did we get some ideas for activities and tours we could do, but we also felt we got acquainted with Jordan's unique and wonderful story, from seeing the displays, artifacts, and artworks up close and personal.

A tour from Amman to Jerash is for anyone with a love for Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. The city looks like it fell straight from the pages of The Iliad (or The Song of Achilles). You can take it as part of a wider tour or go via private taxi hire, to go at your own pace.

We did this guided tour, which took us down Colonnaded Street, known for its iconic towering white columns, then to the Roman amphitheater, built during the reign of Emperor Domitian between 90-92AD (with a capacity of over 3,000 people), then over to the Temple of Artemis, the Oval Plaza, and finishing up at Hadrian’s Arch.

The Dead Sea is a big highlight for all travelers to Jordan. We loved putting on the mud mask on our bodies, then floating across the highly concentrated salty water whilst soaking up the glorious Jordanian sun. If you're pressed for time, you can visit it as part of a day trip from Amman – the public bus takes 45 minutes to the nearest beach from downtown Amman.

However, locals discouraged us from doing this saying that this local beach is not the best and instead recommended we go further south, which you can do as part of a guided day trip tour from Amman.