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Dubai is party central for the Middle East. Expats here work hard and play hard, so there's no excuse for sitting in your hotel room watching reruns of Friends dubbed in Arabic. The city has action of every type—ultra-cool cocktail bars, beach clubs with day-into-night partying, desert terraces for sharing a glass of champagne,
Dubai is party central for the Middle East. Expats here work hard and play hard, so there's no excuse for sitting in your hotel room watching reruns of Friends dubbed in Arabic. The city has action of every type—ultra-cool cocktail bars, beach clubs with day-into-night
Dubai is party central for the Middle East. Expats here work hard and play hard, so there's no excuse for sitting in you
Dubai is party central for the Middle East. Expats here work hard and play hard, so there's no excuse for sitting in your hotel room watching reruns of Friends dubbed in Arabic. The city has action of every type—ultra-cool cocktail bars, beach clubs with day-into-night partying, desert terraces for sharing a glass of champagne, sports bars and pubs with monumental flat-screen TVs, and designer-label nightclubs where you can dance until dawn.
You may have to refinance your mortgage to pay for a serious night out in Dubai. Alcohol is served only on licensed premises—usually attached to international hotels—and the prices are often exorbitant. You have to be 21 to order drinks or stand in bar areas where alcohol is being served, and an ID will often be demanded. In addition, some popular clubs restrict entry to clients based on their appearance. People love to dress up in Dubai, so be sure to follow suit for your evening of clubbing; otherwise you may be left on the curb. Sandals are not allowed in clubs.
Live music is popular in the city, and tends to sit at extremes of the spectrum—cover bands perform in dive bars and mainstream international artists play for tens of thousands. Classic performance arts have had a thin presence, however recent years have brought welcome change thanks to the growing population, opening of the Dubai Opera House and the increasing quality of acts at venues like Madinat Theatre.
Movies have always been popular in the Middle East. Large multiplex centers show the latest blockbusters from Hollywood and Bollywood, as well as films from around the Arabic-speaking world. Here, going to the movies is a luxurious experience; theaters with food designed by Michelin-starred chefs, kids-only zones, and of course the latest in high-tech viewing, such as 4DX and IMAX.
It might be called a bistro, but this eclectic space is also great for a quick beverage. Despite the coffee connotations in the name, most come for the cocktails, which hover less than 45 dirhams, even after happy hour. The interiors are decked in Indonesian teak, green tiles, and the odd plant-covered-wall. Outside there's a terrace where you can enjoy shisha. There's a full menu (including a very decent breakfast), but they shine with their small plates, perfect for nibbles with drinks.
45 16 St., Garhoud, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
There's an excellent choice of boutique beers on tap and in bottles, and similar to what you'd find in Belgium, each beer has a specific glass for serving. The café's style is straight from Belgium, too, with wooden tables set in small booths around a long bar studded with brass. Casual brasserie-style food is served, including the obligatory Belgian moules-frites. There are plenty of good happy hours and brunch deals available, making it a reasonably priced option for a drink, especially considering its water views and skyline panorama.
Crescent Dr., Festival City, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
A popular venue for a taste of the Emerald Isle, with an old-fashioned pint of Irish stout and a plate of stew and champ. Sports fans gather to watch their favorite tournaments and relax in the traditionally styled pub, with dark-wood interior and matching wainscoting. Outside is a large terrace where you can watch the ducks paddling across the pond to the manicured gardens. The Irish Village is known for its range of great classic live acts—UB40, Bob Geldof, and Madness have all performed recently.
31A St., Garhoud, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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