Azerbaijan’s capital city, Baku, is also a Port and the country’s largest city. Located on the shores of The Caspian Sea, it’s made up of 2 principal parts – the downtown and the old Inner City. The latter, which is also a fortress, dates back to the Middle Ages. It is very picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings – cobbled streets past the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, 2 ancient inns, the baths, Juma Mosque and Maiden Tower – where you get a good view of the harbour.

There is no gay scene here because of the social attitudes towards homosexuality. Also, Baku is a Muslim country, so being openly gay, although no longer illegal, is not accepted the way it should be.  Although there are no gay bars, there is one place which draws in a mixed crowd, situated in the Park Hyatt Hotel, it is Club 1033.

However, Baku has a vibrant nightlife regarding theatre, opera and ballet.  Alcohol, although forbidden by the Muslim religion, is plentiful and widely consumed here. This oil town has filled up with Western ex-pats since the early 90′s. There are many English, Scottish and Irish style pubs, which are open until the early hours of the morning.  Most of Baku’s pubs, bars and restaurants are located around Fountain Square.