From Champagne showers to supercars driven into the centre of the dance floor, these are the best places for night owls and clubbers to party in Dubai.
1 Oak
1 Oak is the epitome of New York City chic, providing an unrivalled nightlife experience in the heart of Business Bay at the World’s tallest five-star hotel, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. Enter through a cavernous hallway engraved with quotes from Charles Darwin and emerge into a 9,000 square foot venue where the hottest R&B and Hip-Hop beats are spun nightly. A terrace adorned with tumbling green foliage and incredible canal views offers respite from the party indoors. Still, there’s a reason “ended up at 1 Oak” has become engrained in the Dubai dialect.
ARMANI/PRIVÉ
Step into a premium nightlife venue and experience signature Armani hospitality in a stylishly understated setting that embodies the essence of the Armani brand. Socialise and dance into the early hours at this lounge, terrace and club designed by Giorgio Armani, where vibrant beats are spun by the resident and visiting international DJs. Expect sophisticated exclusivity and world-class entertainment for Dubai’s socialites and party people at this elegant nightclub inside the World’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.
B018
B018 has expanded from Beirut to Dubai, opening on the 42nd floor of Media One Hotel, bringing its highly coveted underground music, arts and culture scene. For the crowd with discerning tastes, this space is for the underground music lovers, the nonconformists, and the artists of wild thoughts. The Main Room has been created to reflect the original Beirut space, from dark interiors and an industrial aesthetic for revellers to party well into the early hours. In contrast, the Tropical Room boasts lush greenery, plush sofas, hanging foliage and a handpicked selection of signature cocktails, taking inspiration from Capri, Barbados, Costa, Tasmania, Cancun, and Sanya.
Bagatelle
Since its inception, Bagatelle Dubai has become more than just a restaurant, with the concept embodying a particular way of life. One where good food combines with socialising, exciting beverages and a spirit of uplifting celebration. Here, Bagatelle’s in-house DJs delight guests with tunes to get everyone into the party spirit, while Chef Ricardo will have you dining in surreal elegance with crispy octopus à la grenobloise and Saint Jacques en Croute. So get ready to wave your napkins and celebrate the spirit of French “Joie de Vivre.”
Bazaar
BAZAAR is a new and unique dining and entertainment venue that recently opened its doors at Meydan, bringing with it a one-of-a-kind Middle Eastern flair. A mélange of classic yet funky influences takes over the space from the club’s entrance, leading up to the open rooftop main space that is characterised by bold design elements ranging from purple interior fabric to enlarged neon signs. Staying true to its roots in Beirut, the new club offers a line-up of exciting themed nights, including live shows to complement the fine-dining experience.
Billionaire Dubai
Pioneering a unique nocturnal dining experience, paired with an opulent and perfectly orchestrated show, Billionaire Dubai presents diners with a masterpiece of entertainment in the heart of Business Bay. Gastronomy reigns supreme at Billionaire, where you can marvel at signature dishes such as the salt-crust baked wild sea bass and live-fire dishes served on the Josper grill. The electrifying nocturnal adventure blends food, entertainment and an electrifying atmosphere with a cast of dancers, singers and acrobats to create a thrilling spectacle that adopts a grown-up approach to hedonism.
Black Club
Dubai’s biggest indoor nightclub can be found at Black. Taking Dubai’s nightlife scene up a notch, Black provides clubbers with an immersive experience for those after a night of high octane splendour. Luxurious interiors, high ceilings and large-scale state-of-the-art sound and light systems provide clubbers with the ultimate party spot to kick-start their weekends. Showcasing some of Dubai’s renowned DJs on the decks playing the best of RnB and HipHop, the venue also features an extensive international food menu and a vast selection of signature spirits, grapes, and hops.
Bling
BLING (formerly known as Secret Room) can be found in the basement of celebrity hotspot, FIVE Palm Jumeirah. Recognised for its lavish nightlife experience, BLING offers revellers a night of the very best hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats tracks, in addition to international DJs and live performances. BLING’s multi-level experience is famous for its Champagne show and is a place where party-goers can make an entrance by driving a supercar right into the centre of the dance floor.
BLU Dubai
Having hosted everyone from Trey Songz and Rick Ross to Tyga, Offset and Jason Derulo in recent months, BLU Club has gained a reputation for bringing premier up-and-coming DJs and performances to Dubai. The nightclub on the 32nd floor of V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton offers views of Dubai’s glittering skyline, combined with opulent interiors and state-of-the-art technology to create a fully immersive VIP experience across the multi-level venue.
Bund Lounge
We’ve always been huge fans of the dining room and terrace at Shanghai Me, but did you know that the DIFC restaurant also houses a small lounge that gets lit as the evening progresses. Illuminated in hues of fiery red, the exclusive Bund Lounge boasts a sleek bar and unrivalled intimacy. This one is a venue only for those in the know.
Float
Float Dubai is located about the QE2 and boasts the title of the World’s largest floating nightclub. Located at Port Rashid, the venue boasts an exclusive outdoor club with a capacity for 1000 people on the highest deck of Queen Elizabeth II. With a focus on out of this world entertainment, Float Dubai showcases the best local DJs and a roster of international DJs and artists. Bringing the energy each night, Float’s guests can expect a variety of music, including house, R&B and chart hits, to keep the vibe going until the early hours.
Galaxy Bar
Currently positioned at #45 on the World’s 50 Best Bars ranking, DIFC hotspot Galaxy Bar features a ceiling filled with stars that cast an ethereal glow over the venue. The beverage menu showcases 12 beverages – each an ode to a celestial being or constellation – including the Titan of the Sun (Mountain Tea Bitters and Torres Moscato Soda), Mysteries of the Universe (roasted pineapple juice, lemon juice, Sichuan Agave Syrup and Angostura Bitters) and Centaurus (Angostura bitters and Melba). This intimate venue with a marble bar becomes very lively as the night progresses and is definitely one to watch.
Miss Lily’s
If you haven’t heard of Miss Lily’s, then surely you’ve been living under a rock. Not only is the Caribbean venue known for its delicious island cooking and too-cool-for-school staff, but it’s also known to celebrate sunny vibes and music roots with simple yet innovative beverages. Drinks include the playfully named Roots & Culture, Rude Boy and Island Fever but it’s the music that will have you returning to this intimate venue time and again.
NYX
Hidden behind a kitsch Greek souvenir shop on the lower level of Chef Izu’s Gaia restaurant is a discreet venue designed to provide an exclusive nightlife experience. NYX is influenced by the Greek Gods, Zeus & Chaos, with the rich and vivid design integrating exquisite red velvet textures with gold furniture, detailing and accessories. Serving classic cocktails with a modern twist that pays tribute to Greece’s culture, rich history, myths and stories. A hand-designed menu of Greek-Mediterranean small plates pairs perfectly with the mixologist’s creations.
Q’s Bar & Lounge
As one of Dubai’s best nightlife venues, Q’s Bar is heralded for its intimate ambience, innovative cocktails and a delicious a la carte menu, Q’s Bar and Lounge at Palazzo Versace Dubai offers a late-night venue that showcases performances from emerging artists handpicked by Quincy Jones himself. Singer Jeremy Isaac is the current artist in residence, presenting a soul-infused set that ranges from neo-soul to modern R&B. With its intimate living room space, Versace designed lush leather couches, mahogany tables and unmatched acoustics, there is no better place for live music in Dubai.
Seven Sisters
Seven Sisters Dubai welcomes guests to an aesthetically elevated space featuring stylised emerald lounges and “living” décor of greenery and foliage, accompanied by wooden tones of nature. Merging the flavours, spirit and ingredients of Mediterranean and Asian cuisines (or MediterrAsian as they like to call it), diners rave about Seven Sisters Dubai’s vibrant dishes of spicy beef gyoza, the katsu beef sandwich, red miso lamb chops and the miso black cod. Yet it’s the brunches, ladies’ night and endless evening entertainment all set to a lively soundtrack that keeps night owls returning time and again.
Sky 2.0
The striking, stand-alone venue in d3 brings Beirut’s sleepless party energy to Dubai. Innovative and experiential, the nightclub provides an interactive experience by employing modern technology inside the venue; bendable screens, grand lighting design, and a tilting sound system wrap the walls of the sphere-shaped venue. In addition, the state-of-the-art structure has been upgraded to allow guests to party without worrying about the summer heat. With theme nights on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Sky 2.0 is one of the only places in Dubai where you can party on the weekend until 4am.
Soho Garden
Whether visiting the Meydan or Palm Jumeriah location, Soho Garden guarantees an evening of late-night revelry. Multiple bars offer signature and classic cocktails expertly prepared by a team of resident mixologists, whilst accredited sommeliers will also be on hand to assist those who prefer grape or champagnes. In addition, party-goers can expect Instagrammable Soho signage and a club with LED lighting on the ceiling, walls, and stage.
SUSHISAMBA Dubai
Sky-high dining destination SUSHISAMBA Dubai has launched the SAMBA Room. A new destination for late-night revelry with striking interior design in a space designed for fun and frivolous behaviour. From the latticed bamboo ceiling that splays out across the venue to a statement chandelier and those incredible skyline views, the energetic invite-only nightlife experience 230 metres above Palm Jumeirah is backed by live music and vivacious dancers. At the heart of the SAMBA Room experience is a curated daily music program featuring sought-after resident DJs and jaw-dropping musical acts. Expect a live Latin band on Wednesdays and Casa de SAMBA parties on Tuesdays.
The Mansion
Jumeirah Village Circle’s first (and only) nightclub is now open at FIVE Jumeirah Village. Reminiscent of a sumptuous 1920s Gatsby-style mansion, The Mansion features gold leaf ornamentation, digital art screens showcasing transformative art pieces, graffiti designed by renowned artist Pichi Avo, wrought iron chandeliers and an Insta-worthy entrance. Head down to the new venue of Thursday nights for ‘Charlie Sloth Presents’, a showcase of the hottest up and coming DJs and artists from around the World.
WHITE Dubai
With skyline views from its lofty location in Meydan, WHITE is a nightlife hub and restaurant that serves a selection of seductive signature cocktails. As one of Dubai’s best nightlife venue, WHITE’s nightly entertainment is a spectacle crafted with a clubbing-meets-cabaret tone, featuring DJs, international acts, singers and acrobats, all clad in Broadway-esque costumes and ready to give you the night of your life.
