Dubai Nightlife: Best Bars and Nightclubs

Dubai Nightlife: Best Bars and Nightclubs

Dubai Nightlife: Best Bars and Nightclubs

Top nightlife destination in Dubai at the moment. This is where you have the best clubs, the best events, and the best crowd.

There is a huge diversity of venues: Jazz lounges, rooftop bars, ex-pat pubs, open-air nightclubs, beach cafés, speakeasies, etc. There is even a brand-new warehouse with Berlin-style techno parties once a month.

 

Hotels Near Dubai Nightlife

There are three prime party locales, as you can see:

1) In the center of the business district, between Downtown Dubai and the World Trade Center, there are numerous upscale bars that are well-liked by executives and foreigners. The majority are in the five-star hotels along Sheikh Zayed Road (Fairmont, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza or Conrad). Additionally, this is a unique location for accessing several of Dubai's greatest nightclubs, including Boa, Base, White, and Soho Garden..

The recommended hotels there are:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Fairmont (rated 8.5/10) - It has 4 bars and clubs, including Cavalli Club, Bagatelle and Cin Cin.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Carlton Downtown (rated 8.4/10) - Best value option in this location.

2) Around the Jumeirah Beach Resort (JBR) and the Dubai Marina, there are a lot of well-known beach clubs (like Zero Gravity or Barasti). In addition, there are a number of bars that are less upscale and exclusive than those on Sheikh Zayed Road. For those who are traveling to Dubai for the holidays, this is the ideal spot.

The recommended hotels there are:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Sofitel Jumeirah Beach (rated 8.7/10) - Bordering The Walk, near many bars and the beach.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Rose Park Al Barsha (rated 8.9/10) - Best value option in this location

3) In Deira and Bur Dubai:
Beginning to the north of Sheikh Rashid Road, this is the older section of Dubai. Numerous bars can be found there, the majority of which provide live music, reasonable rates, and... prostitutes. The target audience at each location varies, including Filipinos, Indians, Blacks, Westerners, etc. Hotels here typically cost less than those elsewhere.

The recommended hotels there are:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Al Bandar Rotana (rated 9/10) - No bars there but it is deemed girl-friendly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐Flora Grand Hotel (rated 8.3/10) - Best value option in this location

 

Dubai Nightlife Tips

Here are a few things you should know to prepare for your nights out in Dubai

 

Drinking Alcohol

Only adults over 21 are permitted to consume alcohol in licensed establishments (bars and clubs). Bring your passport with you because security guards will check your ID. Be discreet if you start to feel inebriated because it is against the law to be intoxicated in public.

You need a specific license in order to buy alcohol from a store or at the duty-free. It is very simple for a visitor to obtain one; simply present your passport at any MMI store and receive one good for 30 days.

 

Here are a few things you should know to prepare for your nights out in Dubai

Drinking Alcohol
Only adults over 21 are permitted to consume alcohol in licensed establishments (bars and clubs). Bring your passport with you because security guards will check your ID. Be discreet if you start to feel inebriated because it is against the law to be intoxicated in public.

You need a specific license in order to buy alcohol from a store or at the duty-free. It is very simple for a visitor to obtain one; simply present your passport at any MMI store and receive one good for 30 days.

Dress Code

You must dress appropriately to enter any expensive bars or clubs—no shorts, sandals, hats, etc. It is preferable for women to dress in a skirt and high heels.

When to Party

Dubai's nightlife is at its peak from around November to May, when the weather is cooler. In fact, due to the oppressive heat and humidity during the summer (July to August), most outdoor venues are closed (for instance, Soho Garden, White, or 40 Kong).

Remember that weekends in Dubai are on Fridays and Saturdays as well. This indicates that Thursday evenings are ideal for going out.

A few clubs stay open until 4 AM, although most close at 3 AM (like Toy Room or Base).

Last but not least, if you go to Dubai during Ramadan, try not to worry too much. The majority of bars and clubs only stay open until dusk. Even if they are less crowded, you can still enjoy yourself.

Ladies' Nights

In Dubai, ladies' nights are very popular. Since girls are uncommon, the greatest clubs and pubs fight tooth and nail to entice them. If you are a woman visiting the city, you most likely won't ever have to pay for any drinks.

The majority of the top ladies nights currently take place on Tuesdays (at the Pier7, at Gravity Zero). For an updated list, see Ladies Night Dubai.Weekly and monthly events:

For a general list of events, you can follow the Facebook pages DubaiNight and Luvevents (trendy parties).

For house/techno parties, check It's Deep Like and Plus Minus.

Best Nightclubs and Bars in Dubai

 

Soho Garden (in Meydan Hotel)

 

Toy Room Nightclub

 

Code Room

 

Soho Beach

The best place for nightlife right now in Dubai is this complex, which is located around 15 minutes from the city center. The best clubs, events, and crowds can all be found here.

 

The main area, Soho Garden, is home to a number of bars and eateries (Negroni, Tiki, Glasshouse, Tokyo Vibes, and Bellini). Its center features an outdoor garden that is only accessible in the cooler months (September to June). In 2019, for example, they routinely host Agoria, Joris Voorn, Tiga, Mark Knight, and other well-known DJs. Expect to pay money if you get past the stringent door policy (as a single man, it may be difficult to enter without booking a sofa).

There are also a few different nightclubs and pool lounges on the same property:

Hip-hop and R&B are the main musical genres at Toy Room, a bottle club with locations in Dubai and London. It is a posh location with a showy interior design, with murals painted in vibrant colors and big neon signs adorning the walls. With the DJ mixing in the center, it is a medium-sized and fairly small space. Numerous well-known performers, including Ne-Yo, Busta Rhymes, and Coolio, have performed there. At 4 AM, it closes.

 

 

 Code   is a techno club with an understated aesthetic and a cool vibe (even though it is expensive and upmarket). They had DJs including Pete Tong, Oxia, and Gui Boratto last summer.

Soho Beach and Drai  are two pool clubs located nearby. They are quite similar but they don't have the same opening days. Check their schedule on Facebook before heading there.

White (in Meydan Hotel)

 

Voted #16 best club in the world by DJ Mag in 2019, this is the most famous nightclub in Dubai, and maybe even in the Middle East.

It is a huge venue on the rooftop of the Meydan Racecourse Grandstand, which opened starting mid-September until May. They have various kinds of events, from EDM parties to live hip-hop, each time with different décors. It is a bit pretentious and overrated in my opinion, but still worth checking. Expect a mixed crowd of expats and tourists.

Entry is free for girls and couples. For single guys, you need to spend at least AED2,000 (US$550) at a table. The best time to go is on Thursday or Saturday (ladies' night until 1 AM).

Pier 7

This popular nightlife destination in Dubai is a seven-story structure with seven distinct bars and eateries. It is typically a great site to start a party because it is slightly less expensive than other locations and is extremely crowded. The rooftop Atelier M is my favorite spot there, but you can just go around and check out different pubs. Tuesday's ladies' night is highly popular because women can receive up to five free drinks. good for interacting with young expats and visitors. There is a more permissive dress code here than elsewhere.

Boa Nightclub and Lounge in V Hotel

Update 2021: Seems to be closed at the moment.

Elite nightclub, it features an elevated stage with various performances during the evening (dancers, singers, etc).  If you come alone, you can meet people quite easily at the bar. Music is mostly hip-hop and R'n'B. As always with such venues, the dress code is strict (especially on weekends).

Entrance for couples and girls is free, but there is a minimum spend of AED500 for guys (that's actually only 4 or 5 drinks).

Base

This outdoor nightclub, which is 5 minutes from Downtown in the Dubai Design District, draws well-known performers almost every two weeks. Akon, Afrojack, Booba, A$AP Rocky, Tyga, or Bob Sinclar were some of the performers from the previous year. Every time there is a special event, the stage will be decked in accordance with a distinct theme. Additionally, there will frequently be artistic performances (dancers, fire breathers, light shows, etc).

 

On regular days, it is open until 4AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Similar to White, couples and women can enter for free, however lone men might need to reserve a table (AED2,000). Thursday night is ladies' night.

Vii in Conrad Hotel

Vii is a popular restaurant, bar, lounge, and nightlife right now. Particularly the "hidden" garden section, it has a stylish and nice atmosphere. Book a table if you can because the club itself can get quite crowded (AED3,000 minimum spend). Every night of the week, there are various activities and performances: Afro beats, techno, live music, retro hits, EDM, etc. Open until three in the morning every day but Sunday.

 

Industrial Avenue - in Westin Mina Seyahi

Although it is a part of the five-star The Westin hotel, the venue has an underground feel that is reminiscent of those you would often find in London, Berlin, or Paris. The administration doesn't seem to be as concentrated on selling tables and there is true dancing.

Wednesday through Friday, 3 AM opening hours. House/techno nights are on Fridays, and Thursdays are for hip-hop.

You can enter for only AED100 with two beverages (free for women).

Cavalli Club in Fairmont Hotel

upscale restaurant and nightclub with daily live entertainment (dancers, acrobats, singers, DJs, etc). a wealthy group of males looking to meet lots of single women.  Tuesday night is ladies night. Top 40 and mainstream music.

The minimum purchase requirement for a table is AED 2,000. You must spend at least AED300 to have a seat at the bar (some reports say AED500).

Additional interesting nightlife establishments in the Fairmont Hotel include Cin Cin, the Trophy Room, and Bagatelle. For those who enjoy the nightlife, it is among the greatest hotels in Dubai.

Armani/Privé in Armani Hotel

On Saturdays, this little, opulent club inside the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa hosts a great ladies' night with Latin and Reggaeton music. Up to 1 AM, drinks are free for women. Men can enter for free, and drinks will cost $15 to $20 each.

There is adequate room near the bar for those without reservations, and the dancefloor is big enough for dancing. a few lovely women.

Additionally, the Burj Khalifa's At.mosphere panoramic bar/restaurant is located on the 122nd floor. The highest in the globe, according to legend.

Billionaire Mansion (in Taj Hotel)

Part of the Billionaire Life brand (created by the jet-setter Flavio Briatore), this complex features 2 restaurants (a Japanese and an Italian), a terrace (Diamond Kalian), a karaoke, and a nightclub. As the name suggests, it is very pricey and exclusive. Most guests come to have dinner while watching various performances (mostly dancers). Most male customers are rich expats and locals. The girls all seem to be Eastern European sugar babies in their 20s. Closes at 4AM.

 

They have two ladies' night. The best one is called Monroe Nights, every Tuesday, with free-flow drinks all night long. Women can also have a 3-course dinner for AED250. There is another one on Sunday, called The List, with urban music (rap, R'n'B, hip-hop).

Mantis in Emirates Financial Center

From Wednesday through Friday, till 4 AM, this new club in DIFC (Dubai International Finance Center) is open. Every day until one in the morning, sushi and beverages are free for females. No dancing floor, so it's preferable to reserve a table (starting AED3,000). There are many performances to see, ranging from seductive dancers to live music.

Other Popular Bars in Dubai

European expat bars:
Lock Stock and Barrel - Best on Tuesday for their busy ladies' night. 2 locations in Dubai (Jumeirah Beach Resort and Grand Millenium Hotel)
Double Decker - British pub with outdoor garden
Mc Gettigan's - Irish pub, part of an international chain, with 5 different locations in Dubai
Fibber Magee's - Discreet Irish pub in the financial district with quiz nights and live music
The Stables - British pub, near Fibber Magee's. Good daily bands. I recommend the reggaeton night on Fridays. Three ladies night per week = a decent number of girls, including some flight attendants. AED30 for a pint of beer during happy hours.
The Irish Village - 3 branches in Dubai for this Irish pub, full of regulars.

 

Outdoor lounges and rooftops:

40 Kong

 

Penthouse - In Five Palm Jumeirah, if offers one of the best views of the city. Chic and elitist. Best to go on Thursdays only.
Iris - Managed by the same group as White, this open-air bar is on the 27th floor of The Oberoi hotel. Cool crowd, good cocktails and live music on Tuesday and Sunday.
40 Kong - Hip rooftop on the 40th floor of the H Hotel. One of the top bars among younger expats in Dubai.

Live music:
MusicHall - Weekend only. 10 performances of various genres (rock, jazz, arabic, etc). Minimum spend AED3,000.

House and techno clubs:
The Grid - Berlin-style warehouse with monthly events
The Hatch - Great underground club in the engine room of the ship Queen Elizabeth 2.

Hip Bars:
Skorpeus - New bar, gorgeous design, very intimate. They have deep house nights on Friday which are pretty cool. On that day, it becomes an after-hour club by staying open until 5-6 AM. Indie DIFC - Various events every day of the week. Great brunch. Salsa night on Monday.
Seven Sisters - Chic bar with an open-air terrace. Free beverages drinks for their Tuesday's ladies night.

Ethnic Bar and Clubs:

Czar is a bar targeting the Russian community in Dubai

 

These nightlife venues target specific communities.

→ Filipinos: Boracay, Club 7 or Bodega Garage (all great to try if you want to meet Filipinas and spend less money on drinks).
→ Indians: Pulse, Inka. Check also the events organized by AKS Nights, DejaVu, or Desi Night in UAE
→ Lebanese: 961LB
→ Russians: Czar and Chameleon Club.
→ Arabs (Khaliji music): Solitaire, Omni and Drama
→ Africans: I'm not sure they have their own club, but there are many in Club Boudoir.

 

Pool and Beach Clubs:

Zero Gravity Beach Club

 

Dubai's beach clubs are a unique nighttime destination. 

You can go there in the late afternoon for brunch (with unlimited drinks) and stay until the early hours of the morning to party. 

Be cautious because most of them are closed during the summer. 

The top ones are as follows:

Zero Gravity - Huge and crowded beach club. I recommend their brunch on Thursday and Friday with 4 hours of free-flow alcohol and food.
Barasti Beach - Legendary beach club among the party crowd. A bit touristy and tacky, but perfect for those who want to mingle and flirt. Free entrance.