From sundowners with a view to refined mixology, these are the best places to grab a drink in Dubai.
Amelia
Amelia’s private room is affectionately called ‘Voyage by Amelia’, encouraging guests to embark on a remarkable journey on the restaurant’s second floor. The enchanting experience commences as you pass through the pendulum-inspired door, unveiling a captivating clock-themed ambience adorned with hints of vintage train station aesthetics. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the 1920s steampunk era, complete with a bar serving expertly crafted mixed drinks. The venue also plays host to a talented lineup of local and international DJs. Voyage by Amelia is open from Thursday to Saturday, starting at 11 pm.
Behind The Yellow Doors
Tucked away inside Weslodge Saloon on the 68th floor of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai hotel lies a space that is intimate yet quirky. Hidden behind an unassuming entrance, Behind The Yellow Doors is open on Friday and Saturday evenings from 11pm. It boasts a high-energy soundtrack, vibrant mixology and curated bottle service to complement the menu of truffle arancini and wagyu sliders.
Bla Bla Dubai
Embodying Dubai’s go big or go home ethos, Bla Bla Dubai on the beachfront at JBR features a beach club, two restaurants and twenty (yes twenty) bars! These include an Insta-worthy Bali-themed beach bar, a nostalgic Irish bar, a Hollywood inspired venue and a vinyl-clad record room bar. With a unique drink curated at each of the uniquely themed bars, there’s plenty to explore once the sun goes down.
COYA Dubai
The Peruvian restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach is known as much for its Pisco Bar as its cuisine. COYA Dubai offers an immersive experience inspired by Latin American culture and anchored around beguiling beverages such as the El Capitán, Pisco Punch and traditional Pisco Sour.
Electric Pawn Shop
A hedonistic, counter-culture-driven Asian Mediterranean bar and restaurant inspired by the 70s Chinatown of New York is now open at The H Dubai. The venue proudly combines underground music, contemporary design and innovative drinking and dining experiences. Eclectic underground music surrounds the venue, delivering funk-laced beats from different genres played through a top-of-the-line custom-built sound system.
Ergo
Jimmy Barrat is no stranger to success in the realm of mixology, having earned recognition worldwide as the former Global Bar Development Director for Zuma. Now, the bartender extraordinaire has ventured out on his own, launching Ergo at The Dubai EDITION. Taking cues from the Latin word for ‘therefore’, the venue has a philosophical thread that runs throughout, its spirit and energy carefully curated by Barrat himself. Designed by Barrat, the central bar has been custom created for the venue, with adaptable ‘beehive’ sections that reflect the buzz of a busy hub. The six-tap draught station does not pour beer, but rather flows cocktails, allowing the bartenders to focus on guest interaction and creating a vibe. The Ergo team has also been reworking some forgotten originals – like the Appletini – to lighten the mood and bring a smile back to the bar industry. The cocktail menu is cheeky, innovative, nostalgic and fun.
Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge
Flashback Speakeasy & Bar lies hidden behind a bookcase in the lobby of the movie-themed Paramount Hotel Dubai. The 1920’s hidden den is ideal for a drink, a bite, or to sink into a comfy chesterfield and enjoy the smooth sounds of Jazz. Flashback features a selection of classic cocktails, craft beverages and botanist gins, served in vintage teacups reminiscent of the 1920’s secretive ways. The venue is also home to an interactive Murder Mystery dinner held every Thursday.
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. A new 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 is definitely one to watch.
Gilt
Burj Al Arab’s 27th-floor cocktail bar is dominated by a stunning gold bar framed by a feature wall of white gold-threaded marble to create a welcoming and stylish space. Mixologist Thibault Mequignon is a master of unusual cocktail creations that takes inspiration from the Michelin starred kitchens that he has worked in. For example, the Oseille cocktail is perfect for a fresh and sour taste. In contrast, the mineral and floral tasting Sakura cocktail was inspired by Thibault’s travels in Japan, and the Bee Pollen concoction features a mellow honey taste.
Hudson Tavern
This rustic-meets-modern speakeasy offers a laidback atmosphere inspired by New York speakeasy vibes at Hyde Hotel Dubai. Complemented by unique experiences and elevated bar bites, mixologist Tony Paul’s beverage menu caters to all preferences, with flavour notes ranging from sweet agave and cane sugar to bolder and bitter premium beverages. Guests can enjoy drinks for all occasions with bubbles, light and aromatic grapes, and oaky full-bodied drinks on the extensive menu.
Indochine
Indochine is known in town for its innovative culinary offering of French-Vietnamese cuisine and a vibe of unadulterated fun. Savour the restaurants signature dishes, including the pomelo salad, Vietnamese ravioli and shaking beef, while sipping on creative concoctions in the atmospheric lounge. Better yet, Monday nights play host to ROOM 84, an atmospheric live music night for guests to experience hand-picked local and international talent. So come for the drinks and stay for the music.
Infinity Bar
Located on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, the exclusive rooftop Infinity Bar is exceptionally Instagrammable. Visitors to this beautiful spot will be granted unbeatable views of the Arabian Gulf, exquisite beverages and a trendy ambience. Guaranteeing marvellous sunset views and delicious Portuguese staples, all of the beverages at Infinity Bar are served with imaginative flair and paired with a collection of tasty bites and chill-out tunes.
LPM Restaurant & Bar
Twelve new beverages inspired by the life of French artist Jean Cocteau are on the menu at the ultra-chic LPM Restaurant & Bar. Designed by LPM’s Global Bar Manager Tibor Krascsenics, the menu comprises four chapters, highlighting a place that Jean Cocteau once called home. The Instagrammable beverages include the elegant Lettre à Coco, which represents the friendship between Jean and Coco Chanel. The beverage features of jasmine, bergamot and rose – the aromatics of her signature perfume Coco, misted onto the glass.
MASTI
MASTI, which translates to ‘fun and mischief’ infuses modern with tradition and colour with flavour, creating an expression of ‘New India’. The venues array of Indian inspired sharing plates and creative cocktails take cues and influence from various global flavours. MASTI offers cocktails that simply can’t be experienced anywhere else and also features one of the biggest collections of juniper in the city.
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.
Monkey Bar
Inspired by the German flagship that looks onto the monkey enclosures at Berlin zoo, Monkey Bar on the sixth floor of the 25hours Hotel One Central forgoes wildlife for striking views over The Museum of The Future. It’s a place for drinking, dining and (post-covid) dancing, where the appealing choice of highballs, classics and signature cocktails (try the Banana Old Fashioned) is accompanied by a Latin American inspired food menu.
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.
Off The Wall
This urban cocktail bar at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown pays homage to the bright lights and bustling streets of Dubai’s Satwa neighbourhood. The team of mixologists are ready to serve imaginative beverages full of unusual flavour combinations and multi-sensory presentations, and guests can expect to see traditional Arabic ingredients provided a unique modern twist, like a fig skin ink applied like paint to the cocktail glasses.
Q’s Bar & Lounge
Known for its intimate ambience, unmatched acoustics, 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. 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.
ROKA
Located in the Opus building by Zaha Hadid, the contemporary restaurant with its open kitchen, stunning terrace and intimate bar has captivated guests with a dining experience revolving around uncompromising flavours. Innovative mixology is at the fore of the ROKA experience with an impressive beverage menu that can be enjoyed at the intimate bar or on the foliage flanked terrace with striking views of the Burj Khalifa.
S Bar
Situated in the impressive Sky Lobby on the 71st floor of SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, visitors to S Bar are met with jaw-dropping panoramic views of Dubai’s skyline. The Saints and Sinners themed bars is accompanied by artful blends, with specialists creating an exciting variety of beverages. While sunset is the favourite time to visit this Business Bay hotspot as the sun slopes behind the Burj Khalifa, S Bar is also an excellent choice for pre or post-dinner drinks or to while a night away high above the clouds.
Salmon Guru
Things are executed a little differently at Salmon Guru and the attention is most definitely in the details. Expect a vibrant and friendly European style cocktail experience featuring signature drinks served in custom glassware resembling tree frogs, glow-in-the-dark lotus flowers and anthropomorphised fish. The Dubai menu will introduce a new signature cocktail available exclusively in the Middle East, and all of the original signatures served in Madrid. Salmon Guru’s 1960s-inspired Tropical section is where guests can marvel at the skilled bartenders. The ‘Asian Night’ area offers a market-inspired space with an exclusive feel, tucked away at the back of the bar for extra privacy. Lastly, a vibrant comic book area tapping into childhood nostalgia is brought to life with popping neons and retro comic art. There is also a terrace.
Shanghai Me
Showcasing the glamour and depth of Shanghai’s history, guests can opt to dine in the sophisticated art-deco Asian inspired restaurant or enjoy beverages in the lush Shanghai Me Garden. Imaginative cocktails are imbued with Asian flavours and include the alluring Crouching Tiger, First Emperor and Ginger Lychee, all served in imaginative glassware and topped with quirky adornments.
SINNERS
Tucked away above La Carnita at the InterContinental Dubai Marina, SINNERS transports revellers into a subterranean, gothic-inspired space lit in seductive red neon lighting, complemented with leather and velvet accents. Perfect for a night of debaucherous fun, the intimate space features just six tables and is open from midnight, while live DJs cater to the see-and-be-seen crowd.
Smoke & Mirrors
Guests to Dubai’s new sky-high nightlife venue at SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences will be met with impressive Burj Khalifa views and smooth music from a Latin-style jazz band, Argentinian singer, and salsa dancers. Smoke & Mirror’s rich colour scheme characterises the space, with warm wooden floors, sumptuous velvet textures, and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide impressive skyline views. Complex flavours and classic offerings characterise a specially curated cocktail list where beverages are served with a twist. The Pirate is a fun take on an island-style drink with tropical pineapple, coconut and banana flavours. Elsewhere, a sweet touch can be discovered in the Torito, which consists of peanut butter, condensed milk, vanilla and coconut.
Suave
Tucked away inside Basko, the Mediterranean restaurant rooted with a 1960’s twist inside The Opus by Zaha Hadid, lies speakeasy Suave. The intimate bar features a library of over 500 authentic vinyl records, 600 meters of fringes and a gold bar in the corner that serves only curated cocktails by a team of master mixologists.
SUSHISAMBA Dubai
The highest restaurant on Palm Jumeriah should definitely be your new go-to for drinks with a view. Sip on creative concoctions beneath a 3D printed bamboo ceiling while taking in the 360-degree views of the Arabian Gulf, Ain Dubai and Dubai Marina skyline. More than just a dining destination, SUSHISAMBA Dubai offers guests a lively and tropical vibe that is further enhanced by a menu of signature serves that includes the imaginatively named Sambatini, Samba Sour, Tokyo Fashioned and Amazonian Spritz.
Taiko
Taiko Bar presents an enigmatic yet authentic setting that will take guests on a journey through some of the most beautiful cities in Asia. Inspired by Executive Chef Schilo van Coevorden’s love for the Far East, the cocktail menu pays tribute to the four seasons and features ten ambrosial beverages presented with intriguing titles such as Honshu, Osaka Winter, Yakuza, No Bargaining, and Julep of Goa. In addition to the carefully curated cocktails, Taiko Bar serves a comprehensive list of premium Sake.
The Other Side
The Other Side is located on the 24th floor of St. Regis Dubai Downtown and is an extension of the newly opened TABŪ. The interiors are inspired by after-dark locales of east Asia, where guests enter to red and black finishings with plush sofas to sink into. With limited seats, the venue stays true to the “guestlist-only” vibe of the underground, after-dark bars that populate Tokyo. Here, night owls can enjoy a range of cocktails and mocktails.
The Rooftop at folly
With uninterrupted Arabian Gulf and Burj Al Arab views, The Rooftop at folly is the perfect place to impress out of town guests for sundowners. A destination in itself overlooking the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah, there are few better places in Dubai to sip on a cocktail and nibble on something delicious as the sun goes down.
Tides Bar
Tides Bar Located inside DIFC’s buzzing Marea restaurant, Tides Bar takes guests under the sea with pop-art, nautical décor, octopus lamps and glass bubbles suspended from the upper floor. The centre of the bar features a handful of plush blue velvet chairs, low marble tables, and bar stools for up to 50 guests. The cocktail menu highlights the geographical bodies of water, with each beverage inspired by one of the world’s seven seas and five oceans. Expect late-night revelry and a soundtrack of 90s Hip-Hop from Tides Bar’s resident DJ.
Zuma
The popular Japanese izakaya currently holds the highest position of any bar in the Middle East on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Clocking in at #17, the high-energy bar allows for a view of the action no matter where you’re seated and uses unique ingredients to create signatures or give classic cocktails a Japanese twist. Don’t miss the Rubabu (rhubarb infused sake, fresh passion fruit and lemon juice) or the Geshi smash (shiso, cucumber, yuzu, egg white), which showcase precisely why Zuma Dubai is held in such high regard.
