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Koubba
Score a candlelit table on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Madinat and Burj, and you'll instantly know you've found one of the most tranquil and romantic spots in all Dubai. The interior is nearly as compelling, with plush red velvet and Oriental cushions to lie against as you chill out to live Arabian-lounge music. Too bad it's illegal to lock lips in public.
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Ku-Bu
A DJ spins funky tunes at this small, dark, sultry bar with African-inspired interiors and secluded nooks made private with plush draperies. If you're single and come alone, you may get hit on by a working girl. Still, it's a good choice for drinks before or after dinner at the Radisson SAS's terrific restaurants.
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Left Bank
We love the waterside tables, with abras 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. Good food, too, especially steaks.
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Library Bar
When you're craving a Glenfiddich and a Cuban cigar, steer your luxury sedan to the Ritz-Carlton. A pianist and singer play easy-on-the-ear jazz standards to set the mood. If you're under 50 and still have your vision, you'll be in the minority.
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Lime Tree Café
Second home to Dubai's Stepford Wives on weekdays, this bright green villa (head for the terrace) is in a state of perpetual 'coffee morning'. Although the coffee is excellent, the service could be better. Still, it is a fascinating expat-institution-cum-'expat-in-a-bubble' sociological experiment.
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Long's Bar
The longest bar in town, live bands, cheap drinks and a late closure keeps this American-style bar-and-grill hoppin'. Number-one bar choice during Ramadan. Happy hour, noon to , till midnight Friday.
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Lotus One
Sitting on Lucite stools over glass flooring or in the '60s-throwback swinging chairs may throw off your equilibrium by your third round, but fret not: you wouldn't be the first to stumble out of this Asian-inspired scenester bar with a cosmo spilled down your pant leg. Wear black, not white.
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Malecon
Tequila is the essential drink at Malecon, an important stopover for the party crowd. Tipping its hat to Havana's graffiti-walled Bodeguita del Medio, this Latino-inspired bar is the place to hit late - do shots and twirl with a Cuban heel. Look sharp; though unpretentious, the crowd appreciates nice gear. Inquire about the ever-fun salsa classes.
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Maya
Dubai does al fresco bars so well and the rooftop bar of Dubai's best Mexican restaurant is no exception. With cushioned banquette seating, sea views, and Mexican touches like the tiled fountain, you could be forgiven for thinking you're at Puerto Escondido or Play del Carmen, especially with a margarita in hand, but that's what's so refreshing about it.
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Media Lounge
This hip café-bar is one of Dubai's coolest with its contemporary eclectic style and retro touches like gilt-edged mirrors and cow hide cube ottomans. A regular crowd of Mac-book-clutching creative types from Media City make it their second home, using the funky space for coffee-meetings and after-work drinks.
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New Asia Bar & Club
High atop the pyramid of the ultra-plush Raffles hotel, dynamic New Asia draws a slick crowd for its fancy Asian-inspired cocktails and drop-dead views. We like the outdoor terrace, but the black-marble-and-leather interiors make a better backdrop for that hot little Betsy Johnson dress you just bought. Stay late to shimmy to high-energy house.
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Peppermint Club
If you're a serious dancer, seek out the location of Dubai's ultimate Friday-night party. Promoter Fluid Production imports some of the biggest international DJs (Paul Van Dyk, Steve Lawler, James Lavelle etc) to wear out the insatiable, sweaty throngs. A mixed crowd of over 2000 clubbers packs the democratised dance floor. If you don't dance, don't come.
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Qd's
Smoke beneath the stars at this always-fun outdoor Creekside bar, and watch the ballet of lighted dhows floating by. Shaped in a giant circle, the main action is on the (very public) raised centre ring, where Oriental carpet and cushions set an inviting mood. For privacy, score a table on the vast wooden deck jutting over the water, or book a cabana. Avoid tables by the bar: ugly fluorescent light bleeds from the kitchen, ruining the aesthetic. Highly recommended for sheesha, but skip the food.
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Rooftop Bar
The fabric-draped nooks, cushioned banquettes, Moroccan lanterns and Oriental carpets make this candle-lit outdoor rooftop bar one of Dubai's most sublime spots. Come at sunset to watch the sky change colours - but not earlier; the bar doesn't pick up till evening. The new Palm Jumeirah diminishes the views, but the moody lighting and romantic vibe make it easy to overlook any unsightliness. An ideal spot to present a gift-wrapped jewellery box.
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Sheesha Courtyard
The Royal Mirage does it right. Reclining on beaded cushions and Oriental carpets in an Arabian palm courtyard is the ultimate way to enjoy a sheesha. Though it would take a connoisseur to appreciate the 20 different flavours on offer, you can't go wrong with the sweet aroma of apple. Highly recommended.
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Sho Cho
The cool minimalist interior, with its blue lights and wall-mounted fish tanks, may draw you in, but the beachside deck is where it's at. Join the white-pants-wearing Lebanese party people for sunset martinis. The sushi is merely average, but the cocktails are awesome. Great on Mondays and Wednesday, when you can reserve an outdoor table. Sundays and Tuesdays it's packed.
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Skyview Bar
Cocktails or afternoon tea on the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab tops most tourists' must-do lists, and with good reason: the views are breathtaking, plus you gain access to the world's most garish hotel lobby. Arrive before sunset or don't bother. But you must book ahead. The per-person minimum is around Dh250 . As for the Liberace-meets- Star Trek interiors, all we can say is, welcome to the Burj.
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Tamanya Terrace
The spectacular views at sunset as the lights from the skyscrapers of New Dubai go on are sufficient reason to settle in here for a drink, but locals love Friday's 'Favela Chic' night when Dubai's Latino community turn this rooftop lounge bar into a salsa club.
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Tché Tché
If you're over the Arabian Nights tourist trip, hit this plain-Jane neighbourhood sheesha café with Arabian pop and a blaring TV reverberating off too many hard surfaces. We like it because it's frequented mostly by Emiratis and other Arabs, along with the occasional expat. Good place to bone up on your Arabic.
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The Agency
This stylish wine bar is a good choice anytime, with comfy low leather seats for couples who want to get cosy and high tables for the groups who like to mingle. There's an excellent list of wines by the glass and tasty tapas-sized snacks - we can never get enough of the chorizo mash.
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The Rooftop
With its Persian carpets, cushioned banquettes and Moroccan lanterns, The Rooftop Bar is everyone's Arabian Nights' fantasy. Add to that a soundtrack of Oriental chill-out music and some of Dubai's best cocktails, and you have one of the city's most atmospheric bars. Book the romantic corner seat for special occasions.
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The Terrace
Specialising in French oysters, caviar, champagne and vodka, the Terrace is one of Dubai's smartest waterside lounge bars. Resident British DJ Lady Red sets just the right mood with sexy chill-out beats. The dramatically lit interior is stylin', but it doesn't compare with sitting on the outdoor deck and watching the bobbing boats moored in the marina.
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Trilogy
Dubai's hottest dance club, hip Trilogy has dance floors and bars catering to different tastes over several levels. Visiting DJs fly in from around the globe. Get there early and head to Trilogy's Rooftop Bar for a drink first or buy tickets in advance to avoid the sometimes outrageous queues.
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Ushna
The Indian fusion restaurant may be glam (fuchsia interior, hanging seats and chandeliers) but the funky candle-lit bar outside is sublime. Settle into a lounge, listen to some chilled vibes, and savour the Madinat Jumeirah views and buzzy crowd below on weekends.
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Velvet Lounge
Miles from the glam-slam New Dubai scene, in an unfashionable hotel, the accidentally fabulous Velvet Lounge is stuck in a baroque-1970s time warp with smoked-mirror ceilings, velour sofas and red-velvet draperies. And it's often empty, making it a top spot for a tête-à-tête with your paramour.
