Dating in Dubai.....also questions about food

90% of the population of Dubai is foreign, not counting the thousands of people there on holiday. Most of the local women are shapeless blobs of fabric whom you will not have any cause or opportunity to talk to during your stay. With the foreigners you can do whatever you want, as long as it's not in view of others on the beach. Food is good, especially Indian, Pakistani and Iranian. There are quite a few international cuisines represented. Everything is expensive.

Dating scene is exactly the same as the west. There are many young single professionals out here who work hard and party hard. Go to Yalumba for Friday 'all you can drink'' Brunch and you will see!!!! The club scene is big and there are lots of bars. Bars are not just in the confines of hotels. it is a legal requirement that anywhere that serves alcohol be linked to a hotel or be a membership club. There are many exceptions.
I cant believe someone told you dating was illegal !!!! it is illegal for ummarried couples to live together but many people do.
Although Dubai is an Islamic country it is very tolerant western culture. As above post it is 90% expats.
Bars are expensive - a bottle of beer costs dhs.35. but you do not say what country you come from so I dont know how that compares for you.
Generally cost of living is more expensive here than most countries but most people come because they are going to be earning more.
International food is fantastic, be prepared to put on a bit of weight.
Good luck with your move if you decide to come.

technically the whole concept of dating ... any activities...associated with dating are illegal? Someone said that the deaf ear is typically turned, so I shouldn't prepare my mind for a year of celibacy Let me put it this way : dating the old fashioned way is not illegal. As you say, most people (incl authorities) turn the other way - until something unfortunate happens which may bring the activity to light and questioned.

Dubai is closer to Turkey. Don't expect any local girls in the bars (it is not that they are of limits ; the good ones don't go to bars, the others have their own private bars which is off limits to any public.) Depending on the bar you go to, lots of Westerners / Levantines / Asians.

Local food is non existent in public. Think any kind of other cuisine and you'll get it.

I'm intrigued by the comments that there are many exceptions to the hotel/membership rule for premises selling alcohol.

As mentioned, you'll be hard pushed to find Emirati cuisine but there is fantastic 'general' Arabic cuisine as lots of great, cheap Indian/Pakistani restaurants. Alcohol is expensive everywhere but dating is not a problem.

it is a legal requirement that anywhere that serves alcohol be linked to a hotel or be a membership club. There are many exceptions.

No - there are no legal exceptions whatsoever, The licensed outlet has to be linked in some way to a Club (often a Sports Club) e.g Emirates Golf Club or Al Nassar Leisureland which are not part of hotels or a licensed hotel. Some independent outlets gets their license from a hotel if they are in the vicinity - for which they pay a steep fee.

Being a but pedantic aren't we?? The OP has been told that bars are only in Hotels. I was conveying that that there are exceptions. i.e The Lakes - it is not inside a hotel and you do not need membership to drink there. A dhow cruise - not inside a hotel (obviously).

If being factual in your world means being pedantic, yes ; especially when it comes to alcohol in an Islamic country no matter how open it is. You don't want a tourist thinking that there are exceptions to the rule (which is the impression your post clearly gives) and potentially getting into trouble.

By the way, next time you go to the Lakes club, ask the F&B which entity their license is affiliated to. It may also be worth finding out how many tourists go to the club as a destination point ie without being taken there by their friends or relatives who are already resident in the UAE.

It's six of one half a dozen of the other. All bars have to be licensed through hotels, sporting clubs or certain other organizations, but they needn't be physically present in the same building. Many Islamic countries play various games to give alcohol a veneer of legality; i.e., until recently in Syria every bar was required to employ a doctor so he could give patrons a prescription for each beer they ordered.

To answer the first guys question, you can meet people in Dubai, just like you can anywhere else in the world.

The only difference is, the people you will talk to will only be expats, and it depends what you're looking for. I think it's alot easier to meet people in Dubai, but although there is an element of people in Dubai who have been there more than one year can become pretentious for some unjust reason, everyone has one common theme - they are expats and getting used to living and working in a different country...and people tend to share and discuss their experiences, or problems and issues of getting things sorted out, because what would normally seem like a simple task in a Western society, could prove to be a real headache in Dubai.

I met and married in Dubai and I know many others who did the same...so you never know what's gonna happen next when you go their as a single person. The choice of food and restaurants is endless, but never cheap. In fact, is anywhere in the world cheap? Alcohol is relatively expensive, if you buy from a shop and have your license, then you pay 30% tax on top. You can go to Abu Dhabi or other Emirates and buy alcohol and pay no tax. If you go to bars, or premises that are located within a hotel or club complex licensed to serve alcohol - it can be expensive. If you want local cuisine, then your best bet is to go to lebanese restaurants, and they are actually value for money - cos the quantity of food you are given is ridiculous!

Anyway, most people who moan about the cost of living in Dubai, forget they are frequenting 5 star hotels...(perhaps better than anywhere else in the world with views to die for) and they compare the prices to their local grotty pub or restaurant back home.

Good luck - you'll love it!