Summer Drinking In Dubai
Now summer is firmly planted in the humid sweaty air, alfresco options are an almighty no no. So where can tourists and expats alike find a climate controlled social hub for snob-less drinking and dancing? Here’s our whistle stop tour for a Dubai drinking session...
Sundown.
Now inside is the new outside here is our top pick for sundowners with a view
Aquara lounge based at the Dubai marina offers sweeping views of the marina and it’s towers. As sun sets the expected city twinkling begins, always busy, never boring.
For the ultimate in panoramic cityscapes, you cant beat a hike up the tallest tower in the world. Tourist tacky? Not a chance. At.Mosphere lounge, found towards the top of the Burj Khalifa, is dark, sexy and smoky. Did we mention the stilton martinis? Yum.
8pm.
Oft-overlooked due to its early licensing hours Karma Kafe, sibling of the oh-so-cocktail-cool Buddha bar, has great drinks, trendy food and a big balcony over looking the Dubai Mall fountains.
In need of a cold one? Head to Loca and play the beer game; quite simply 50 of the best dirhams ever spent. Four mini beers, a menu and some pencils, get guessing and win, or finally find the ultimate hops beverage. They have plenty to choose from.
10pm.
Continuing the cocktail craze or heading straight over from At.Mosphere, the sleek, silvery, grown up and thirst quenching Calabar at The Address hotel Downtown is gorgeous. With a selective and somewhat secretive DJ booking policy - they’ve welcomed Christian Prommer, Metro Area and west London DJ collective Bugz in the Attic with little promotion - Calabar has an extensive cocktail list and some of the best beats in the city. Just don’t tell too many people about it.
12am.
Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, one might expect some dancing is in order. There are two ways to go with this: 1. The banging beats and throbbing dance floors of Trilogy club Dubai with regular international DJs from Lee Foss to James Zabiela. 2. Gregarious dance moves akin to a '60s pop video at Jambase. The Dubai supper club and live music venue has moved with the times; less single salsa class and more funky sound den, its new resident band is a formation of local beat boxers, vocalists and musicians about town. Good news here is that they're next door to each other so you can squeeze in both.
3am
Beirut Café on 2nd Of December Street offers huge breads, hummus and grills; it's the only way to keep the hangover at bay.
