Entertainment in Dubai
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Buddha Bar
If there are celebs in town, they’ll show up at Buddha Bar, where the dramatic Asian-inspired interiors are decked out with gorgeous chandeliers, a wall of reflective sheer glass, and an enormous Buddha lording over the heathens. The bartenders put on quite a show with their impressive shakes (think Tom Cruise in Cocktail ). Arrive early or prepare to queue; otherwise book dinner for guaranteed admission.
reviewed
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Rock Bottom Café
Bask in the vintage vibe of this ’70s-era American roadhouse, while a cheesy cover band blares Top-40 hits. While it’s a regular pub by day, no self-respecting woman would come here alone at night. But with a mob of friends and a bottle of tequila gone, it’s the quintessential ending to a rollickin’ night on the town.
reviewed
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Meydan Racecourse
Racing season starts in November with the 10-week Winter Racing Challenge, but doesn’t heat up until January. It culminates in late March with the elite Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, with prize money of a dizzying US$10 million. Dubai racing’s new home (from 2010) is the spectacular Meydan Racecourse, a futuristic stadium with a grandstand bigger than most airport terminals. Spanning 1.6km, it has a solar- and titanium-panelled roof, can accommodate up to 60,000 spectators and integrates a five-star hotel. A museum and IMAX theatre are in the works as well. There’s a free-admission area where dress is casual. For the grandstand you’ll need tickets…
reviewed
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Al-Lisaili Race Track
Camel racing is not only a popular spectator sport but deeply rooted in the Emirati soul and originally practised only at weddings and special events. These days it’s big business, with races held between October and early April. There’s no fixed schedule, although there usually seems to be a two- or three-hour session starting around 7am on Fridays. Check the newspapers or call ahead before you drive an hour out of town. Watching these mighty animals race at speeds of up to 60km/h is an amazing sight. If you can’t make it to a racing session, you can usually catch training sessions in the afternoon, and these are also a great experience. The sheer number of camels is…
reviewed
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Bull-Butting
If possible, visit Fujairah on a Friday when the ancient sport of bull-butting takes place in a dusty dirt patch on the southern outskirts of town (before Al-Rughailat Bridge). It was introduced centuries ago by the Portuguese, and today’s contests see bulls brought here from all over the UAE to lock horns and test their strength against each other. The goal is to push the other out of a circle, which usually takes only a couple of minutes. Traditionally, the fighting took place in an open field, but since angry bulls would occasionally charge spectators, a new wire fence was recently built to protect them.
reviewed
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Kasbar
Kasbar can be inconsistent – one night it’s packed, the next it’s dead – but we highly recommend you check out this sexy three-storey Moroccan-themed club with glittering crystal chandeliers, a coffered ceiling and big dance floor. Call ahead to reserve a table on the mezzanine where you can take in the scene from above. Or forego the thump-thump in favour of a game of billiards on the quiet lower floor – a godsend for non-dancers whose dates want to twirl. When there’s Arabian-fusion playing on the decks, don’t miss it. Cover includes one drink.
reviewed
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Agency
A convivial wine bar frequented by khaki-clad tourists and expats, Agency is a civilised spot for a predinner drink. As at its sister branch at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the wine list includes unusual varietals (skip the New World wines in favour of better French labels), but here there’s a terrace overlooking the Madinat canals and with glimpses of the Burj al-Arab. Satisfying bar snacks include cheese fondue with truffle oil, and finger foods such as fried calamari. Good luck snagging a table at peak times.
reviewed
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Bar 44
Service is slow, cocktails are wimpy and prices are high, but the views – oh, the views – really are worth the trip up to this swank bar on the 44th floor of the Grosvenor House hotel. Done in a retro-1970s chic, with high-backed tufted-velvet banquettes and buttery-soft leather tub chairs, this is the spot to kick up your (high) heels and take in the sweeping panorama of the marina and Palm Jumeirah. Good backup if Buddha Bar is full. Live blues and jazz.
reviewed
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Cavalli Club
Recession? Did anybody say recession? Not Roberto Cavalli, Italian fashion designer of over-the-top glam, rock, animal print, uberbling fame. And now he’s got his own nightclub where the rich and beautiful keep the Champagne flowing like it’s still 1999 amid a virtual Aladdin’s cave of black quartz and Swarovski crystals. Girls, wear your little black dress or risk feeling frumpy. Boys, shine your shoes. Enter from the back of the hotel.
reviewed
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Nezesaussi
Throw back pints with your mates at this high-end sports bar with wall-to-wall TVs and great food. The name is an amalgam of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, and the bar snacks selection plays on those countries’ classics. Standouts include ostrich meatballs, boerewors (spicy sausage) and grilled New Zealand lamb. The rugby-ball-shaped bar is surrounded by sports paraphernalia donated by famous players. No smoking.
reviewed
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Troyka
If you’re into Bob Fosse musical numbers (think Chicago and Sweet Charity ) , make a beeline to Troyka for an extraordinarily camp floor show by sequin-spangled Russian dancers who twirl, dip, and kick higher than a young Shirley Maclaine. In between, a three-piece house band plays mournful Russian ballads. Stunning. Scope the crowd for oligarchs ignoring the show. Come for dinner and make a night of it.
reviewed
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Barasti Bar
Seaside Barasti is the locals’ (especially expat Brits) fave for laid-back sundowners. No need to dress up – you can head straight here after a day at the beach – but don’t come unless you like crowds: at weekends, 4000 or more shiny happy people invade. DJs play indoors, but it’s generally better to sit outside within earshot of the sea. The pub-style food is pretty good and Friday brunch (Dh295, including alcohol) is popular.
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Jules Bar
The six-piece Filipino house band kicks, twirls and belts out Top-40 hits, while an odd mix of oil workers, Southeast Asians and European flight crews (especially on Fridays) grind shoulder-to-shoulder on the floor. Beer’s a bargain on Sunday’s Corona Beach Party, and on Tuesdays women get admission and one drink for free. If you need nibbles, there’s a decent Mexican menu. Dig those charcoal portraits of Whitney and Mariah.
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Mix
Big with the Middle Eastern crowd, Mix was Dubai’s first super-club and it’s still going strong. Every night is different, but you can generally expect hip-hop, R&B, house and Arabic pop, made better when a top international DJ spins. Things to like are the raised bar, huge dance floor, podium dancers, bongo players and stellar people-watching. Cover charge for DJ events. Ask about all-you-can-drink nights.
reviewed
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Rooftop Bar
The fabric-draped nooks, cushioned banquettes, Moroccan lanterns and Oriental carpets make this candlelit rooftop bar one of Dubai’s most sublime spots. Come at sunset to watch the sky change colour – but not earlier; the bar doesn’t pick up until evening. There’s a good menu of mezzes (appetisers), in case you’re feeling peckish. Views of the Palm Jumeirah, and the romantic vibe, make this an ideal spot for couples.
reviewed
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New Asia Bar & Club
A huge Egyptian head welcomes you to the circular bar where mixologists whip up over 100 cocktails, including the home-grown invention called Dubai Sling. A sophisticated crowd makes it up here to the top of the pyramid of the ultra-plush Raffles hotel, where the views are stunning and the eye-candy factor high. If you like it quieter, whisk yourself upstairs to the never-never land of the China Moon Champagne Bar.
reviewed
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QD’s
Watch the ballet of lighted dhows (traditional wooden boats) floating by while sipping cosmos at this always-fun outdoor Creekside lounge shaped like a giant circle. The main action is on the (very public) raised centre ring, where Oriental carpets and cushions set an inviting mood. For privacy, retreat to the vast wooden deck jutting over the water, or book a cabana. Great for sheesha, but skip the food.
reviewed
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Blue Bar
Cool cats of all ages gather in this relaxed joint for some of the finest live jazz and blues in town. It’s tucked away in a ho-hum business hotel but once inside, all is forgiven. The mostly local talent starts performing at 10pm (Wednesday to Friday only), so get there early to snag a table and quaff a cold one from the standout selection of Belgian draught beers. When there’s no band, it’s just another bar.
reviewed
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Terrace
Specialising in French oysters, caviar, champagne and vodka, the Terrace is one of Dubai’s smartest waterside lounge bars. A DJ sets just the right mood with sensual chill-out beats. The dramatically lit interior is stylin’, but it doesn’t compare with sitting on the outdoor deck and watching the moored boats bobbing in the marina. Sunday is ladies’ night and on Mondays there are drinks specials for all.
reviewed
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Boudoir
Though snooty expats distance themselves from the Lebanese crowd at Boudoir, we love the look of the place. Tufted red-velvet booths, beaded curtains and tasselled draperies lend a super-model vibe – indeed, you may spot one among the wannabes – and the circular layout is perfect for twirling away from the occasional unwanted advance by a Lothario. High on the chic-o-meter. Look sharp or be ostracised.
reviewed
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Jambase
If you enjoy dining, drinking and dancing without changing location, this moody basement supper club should fit the bill. The ambience gets increasingly lively as blood alcohol levels rise and the band moves on from mellow jazz to soul, R&B, Motown and other high-energy sounds. The food’s continental (think prime rib, roast chicken, mains Dh90 to Dh160) and solid if nothing out of the ordinary.
reviewed
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1897
Channel your inner Cary Grant and belly up to the bar at this grown-up, mood-lit thirst parlour at the Kempinksi. Don’t bother if you’re the beery type – you’d be wasting the bar staff’s considerable talents. Decorated in plush purple and polished wood, this place lures chatty sophisticates huddled in intense tête-à-têtes and grateful for the low sound levels. Smoking, including cigars, is OK.
reviewed
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Zinc
This reliable standby has a killer sound system and plays R&B, popular tunes and house for a crowd that likes to have fun without the pretence, including lots of cabin crew. Though some uppity expats call it trashy, Zinc is good because people don’t seem to care who you are; they’re here to dance and drink, not show off. Bar service is quick – well, for Dubai. Men pay cover, women don’t.
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Left Bank
We love the waterside tables, with abras (water taxis) floating past, but the real party is inside the dark bar, where moody lighting, giant mirrors, leather club chairs and chill beats create a dynamic lounge scene. Put your name on the list for a table; expect to wait. The food’s all right but the mini-portions and high prices are not. Also in Souk al-Bahar.
reviewed
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Bice Sky Bar
It may not be as much on the hipster radar, but when it comes to glorious views this quiet, chic lounge on the 10th floor of the ho-hum beachfront Hilton can definitely compete. In this case, it’s the sparkling Palm Jumeirah and glistening Gulf waters that will make you want to order that second cocktail. Soft piano music and comfy leather chairs help create a relaxed, romantic mood.
reviewed