51st state

 

It was easily the place to be seen in 2009. Despite a seemingly unpromising locale, on a hill behind Safeway near the Amman’s Seventh Circle, its brooding interior, gargantuan bar and, naturally, thumping house DJ ensured that the capital’s beautiful people were spending their Thursday nights in, or trying to get in, 51. For most of the year, it beat out Abdoun rival Eight in every numerical category going, not least the name. 

 

For managing partner Ziad Akkawi, though, that was the perfect sign that change was needed. And during the prolonged Ramadan closure, he ordered a complete upgrade of the interior, which first saw the light on Thursday, October 1st, with a monstrous party that also saw the first appearance of the new resident DJ, Charbel from Lebanon. “That’s always been my philosophy,” said Ziad on the eve of the event. “I change when I am at the top, not like others, who change when their popularity has started to slide. Jordan’s nightlife is limited and the people get easily bored, so we’re always looking to move on, stay one step ahead.”

 

The new look is less gothic than its predecessor, which seemed like a 19th century vampire had gone crazy in The One; it’s lighter, more metallic, with a pleasing sheen to the furniture and detailing – from the bar stools to the new seating areas taking in views of West Amman. “I wanted something a little warmer, something more all-day,” confirms Ziad, who also looks after the Shamman group of venues in Deir Ghbar and the Teatro restaurant downstairs. “I change two of my places every year, and while I usually do everything myself, this time I used a company called Badwan Graphics. I hope we can add a lunchtime crowd, but we’ll leave Thursday nights as the main party night.”

So, while the decor might have changed, the need to book or spend half an hour harassing the doorman hasn’t. But it wouldn’t be a Thursday night without those, would it?