Best Bars in Dubai

A Guide to the Best Bars in Dubai

What you need to know first !

Dubai, has an excellent nightlife scene (except for Monday's which tends to be pretty dead) with a large choice of bars and nightclubs for you to be able to enjoy whilst being whisked from Bar to Bar in the worlds fastest Taxi. Below is a list of some of the more popular bars, with a review that will help you to choose where to go and when. You will need to know that most of the bars that can serve alcohol are only in hotels, there are though a few exceptions, and most of these are reviewed here. Dubai also has some interesting laws regarding clubs; they all must close at 3 am, you must be 21 to drink alcohol, 25 to enter a nightclub, and interestingly they are not allowed by law to refuse entrance to anyone, including members only clubs. Having said that this does not mean that you will be able to walk into any members club free of charge, a lot of the members clubs have very high entrance fees, that they will charge you if you do insist on applying the law and entering the club. This to be honest is a good thing as it allows the clubs to ensure a good mixture of clientele. We have included below tips on how to get into some of the most exclusive clubs, so please do read the reviews thoroughly. Have a great time and remember that being drunk in the street is really not tolerated in Dubai, if you are rolling around drunk beware, also if you like to get handy with your fists when you are drinking we would really suggest you stay at home, you misdemeanors wont be tolerated any where near as much as they are in Bars in your home country.

Agency Wine Bar

Sheikh Zayed Rd, Emirates Tower Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates • Located at the exclusive Emirates Towers Hotel, the Agency Wine Bar is one of the area's sleekest after work destinations. Stop in and make your way to one of their cozy tables or saddle up to the bar, relax a bit, and soak up the upscale environs - a contemporary bar area juxtaposed with an cozy, pub-style seating area. Featuring a Spanish tapas menu, the Agency's kitchen serves up delightful dishes of hot and cold nibbles: feuillete of baby squid, croquette of smoked duck, chilled tomato soup, and mussels on marinated vegetables, to name but a few. As for the wine list, most in Dubai agree that it's among the city's best, with vintages that hail from Provençe, Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Tuscany, as well as California and Chile. We suggest taking a bite in the resteraunt over the foyer where you can enjoy pretty decent asian cuisine.

Alamo

Jumeirah Beach Rd, Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa, Dubai . This Bur Dubai gem, part of the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa, brings sagebrush and tumbleweeds to the Arabian Peninsula. A favorite hangout amongst locals and expats, the Alamo boasts a kitchen that turns out some delicious Tex-Mex dishes; however, it's as a bar that this Western-themed joint has made its reputation. Combine terrific live Latino music, potent margaritas and other specialty drinks, and cozy dance floor where attractive locals shake off the doldrums of the day, and it's easy to see why the Alamo is just the place to "spice up" your Arabian nights.

Bridges

Sheikh Zayed Rd, Fairmont Dubai, Dubai, Situated just off the lobby of the immaculate Fairmont Dubai, this versatile yet bar gets you going early in the morning, when its fresh gourmet coffee and homemade pastries are big favorites with business-types on the go. In the evening, Bridges becomes a popular place to take a break from the day's activities and enjoy a premium cocktail, imported brew, or fine wine. A light menu is available throughout the day, in addition to delectable desserts and specialty teas and coffees. A professional musician who can tickle the ivories with the best of them delights the evening patrons.

Carter's

Al Qutaeyat Rd, The Pyramids at Wafi City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Located inside the Pyramid at Wafi City, this upscale nightlife option has become a trendy after work meeting place for the stylish business types and expats who call Dubai "home." The skilled bartenders create some of the city's most potent cocktails, and the sophisticated, Continental decor and café-style tables are conducive to intimate conversations. As the night wears on, Carter's DJs commandeer the place and turn it into one of the most exclusive dance clubs around, with the beat-driven parties lasting long after most people go to bed. As if that wasn't enough, Carters also features its popular Big Life Jazz Band, which helps get things swinging every night save Sunday.

Hard Rock Café

Sheikh Zayed Rd, Interchange 5, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A celebration of rock and roll music and iconography, Hard Rock Cafés are major tourist draws all over the world. Sure, it's a place that youngsters flock to for a souvenir t-shirt or ball cap, but it's also one of the area's best bars. To wet your whistle, try one of the house beers, order some fries to nibble on, and enjoy the anonymity of the crowds. If you're directing friends to meet you, just tell them to look for enormous Fender Stratocasters. It's safe to say that no other place in Dubai has two guitars for a front door.

Irish Village

Al Garhoud Rd, Century Village - Aviation Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai's famous Irish Village, recreates the look, feel, and charm of a traditionally Irish pub, easily making it a favorite watering hole with those expats living in the city for, business, pleasure, or otherwise. The pub features everything from a Yeats poet's corner, where you can sip your pint and ogle the work of some of the country's greatest prose and poetry, to a small shop that sports all types of odds and ends from the Emerald Isle. More importantly, the traditional pub grub is just as it ought to be - hot, filling, and nothing short of delicious. Outdoor seating is available - and it's true that few things in life compare to downing a stout under the surreal desert twilight.

Planet Hollywood

Al Qutaeyat Rd, Wafi City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates A must for any cinema buff, the world-famous Planet Hollywood boasts an impressive collection of movie memorabilia, some of it donated by the stars themselves. The menu offers up standard American fare, including terrific hamburgers, buffalo shrimp, chicken wings, and all sorts of fried goodies. After enjoying your meal, take some time to browse the restaurant and check out all the neat odds and ends hanging on the walls. The restaurant's souvenir shop carries an assortment of t-shirts and other cool mementos.

Atlantis

Located right next door to the Hard Rock Cafe, this popular disco gets busy around midnight. The decor is modern and lively and is in tune with the loud thumping rhythm of the music that ranges from techno, trance, dance etc. They have performances such as dancing girls and drum masters, that add to the lively atmosphere. They have ladies night Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. The crowd is young and hip, with a good mixture of expatriates and locals, the disco is also popular with Russians. A pint of Kilkenny or Fosters will cost 18 Dhs.

Century Village

A beautiful area of Dubai which can be found right next door to the Irish Village mentioned above. A small courtyard, rich with fountains and greenery encircled by high quality restaurants is what makes the Century Village such a successful and great place to go to. One Bar that stands out more than others though is Da Gama. Actually Da Gama is an amazing Portuguese restaurant but they do have a bar style area on the second floor, which offers comfortable and spacious chairs. The decor and style of this restaurant/bar is amazing, being both 'trendy' and very European. This is one of the best stylish bars that we have seen. GO !

Champions

Located at the JW Marriott, Champions is an excellent place to go to watch major live sporting events such as Football (or soccer as Americans call it), Rugby, and large boxing matches. The bar is open daily from 12 until 2 in the morning, except for Fridays when it is open from 6pm until 2am. Happy hour runs from 6pm - 8pm daily and offers all regular drinks at only 12 Dhs. A pint of beer in regular hours will cost 19 Dhs and a glass of house wine 18 Dhs. The bar is large and has television sets all over with one enormous screen in the centre to ensure that you do not miss any important action no matter where you are. The bar is popular with resident expats and locals who follow sport and is a great place to watch any sporting event. Champions does serve food and it comes in copious amounts. Good place to watch sports.

Kasbaa

Well, who is the best in town ? Obviously each club will claim to be the numero uno ! Kasbaa, however we feel, would not even need to claim this. The club is located at the amazing Royal Mirage Hotel, which is in itself a magical experience. The club has followed the design of the hotel and has an Arabic theme, with most of the decorations coming from palaces around morocco, which really takes you away into another world and a definite must if you are from out of town. The high profile club is built up onto three levels with terraces that overlook the dance floor below, the music again is different with some of the best DJ's in town playing all the latest dance hits with some of their own mystical music thrown in known as modern Arabic fusion. The upper level is the place to be seen and has comfortable Arabian style sofas that allow for an intimate evening, these 'tables' are better reserved 2/3 weeks in advance (for weekends) if you would like one. The club opens at 9:30 and its' last orders are at 02:45, it is worth getting there early on a Thursday, around 10/10:30 should see you in without having to queue. For non hotel guests an entrance charge of Dhs 50 applies, which includes one regular drink, after that the drinks are expensive, yet considering the surroundings and clientele reasonable at 22 Dhs a pint of beer, 400 Dhs a bottle of black, and 900 Dhs a bottle of Dom Periginon (prices may change without notice). Again you must be over 25 to enter, no trainers, local dress, or sandals, basically smart casual will suffice. During the week it can get busy, so no matter what day you are in Dubai, go and see the beautiful people at Kasbaa, and experience one of the only nightclubs in Dubai with a magical experience.

The Junction

Previously known as Ned Kelly's can be found at the Century Hotel Dubai (which was previously known as the Dubai Marine Hotel). The bar is now operated by a South African and has changed quite a lot, now offering a lot more staff, many of whom are from South Africa, and even a South African band which plays classical rock and pop music daily from 9 until close with breaks filled in by a DJ. The bar is open seven days a week from 12 (midday) until 2:30am, Happy Hour which is 13Dhs for a regular drink (including a pint of beer) runs from midday until 7pm. After Happy hour the bar has a multitude of different promotions that run daily, such as Ladies night on Sunday's and Tuesday's, where ladies enjoy two free drinks, a "Lads" night where men benefit from 1 free drink and even an airline crew's night on Thursday where Airline crew are given three free drinks. All these promotions are aimed at bringing in the crowds and especially the women, even as Ned Kelly's, the bar was not the most popular in town. Having said that the bar is a nice comfortable place for a drink and the changes the management have made, make the new bar a lot more appealing. The Junction also serves food with some very traditional English fare available such as Liver and Onions for just 32 Dhs.

Planetarium

With Kasbaa (reviewed above) and Planetarium possibly sharing the limelight as the best in town, it is very much down to individual choice and preference, as they are both very different in style and ambience. The Planetarium has very strict membership and entrance regulations allowing entrance only to Members, Ladies and Couples. Entrance is free except on special occasions. The club is located next to the Pyramid centre mentioned above (see Carter's and is open daily from 11 pm but really only gets going from 11.30/12 onwards and closes at 3 am. The busiest nights are Sunday (two drinks for the price of one, Tuesday, and Thursday with Tuesday being Ladies night, where ladies are offered two free drinks before 1am and all cabin crew get a special 50% discount all night. The club is closed Saturday's.

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