Amarbar

Amarbar - the name is Arabic for 'moon' - is the library-style cocktail lounge at the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort. The room is deliberately hidden, reached through the lobby into a space of low seating, dark panelling, curated bookshelves and soft amber lighting; it feels more like a private club than a hotel bar, and the volume is kept low enough for conversation. The programme is cocktail- and whisky-forward. The drinks list runs from classics with considered tweaks to house creations inspired by the region, and off-menu builds are available - bartenders are genuinely invested in pairing a drink to a guest's preferences. The whisky collection is the deepest on the RAK coast, with rare bottles from Islay, the Highlands and Japan, and a notable spirits shelf that rewards slow exploration. Light bites support the drinks without trying to be a dinner. The bar team - several bartenders named repeatedly in return feedback - is the soul of the place. The service is personable without being intrusive, the ambiance rewards long visits rather than a quick drink, and the outdoor terrace adds a sea view for sundowners. For a refined after-dinner drink in a room that values restraint, this is one of the best seats in the emirate.