With the massive hike in tourism in Dubai over the recent years and visitors from all around the world spending their holiday time here, the city has significantly scaled up the nighttime activities and attractions available to tourists.
Whether you’re looking for a wild night of partying or a nice dinner with live entertainment, Dubai has a place for you! If you prefer fun after sundown, here are some of the best nightlife options for you:
Top Bars in Dubai
If you are looking for some unique drinks and cocktails, here are some of the best bars in Dubai:
1. MINA Brasserie
The MINA Brasserie in the Four Seasons Hotel, Dubai Financial Center is most known for its innovative drinks. The drinks, named after famous paintings, are an art of their own kind. The edible glitter and violet and blue coloured liqueur all give you the best of visuals and taste.
- Popular Drink: Paintings Cocktails
- Timings: 7 am to 1 am
2. Buddha Bar
This posh bar in Grosvenor House Dubai offers refined drinks infused with blueberry and fresh fruits. Although pricey, the ambience, service and quality of this bar is what makes it so well known. And what’s better? Johnny Depp himself is a fan of the Blueberry and Ginger Sour served in this bar.
- Popular Drink: Blueberry and Ginger Sour
- Timings: 7 pm to 1 am (Fridays open till 2 am)
3. Play Restaurant and Lounge
The Play Restaurant and Lounge in the H Hotel Dubai has an incredible bar which offers special cocktails. Their culinary and liqueur expertise as well as the attractive aesthetics of their items is what makes this lounge sought after.
- Popular Drink: Hendricks Lemonade for two (served in a teapot)
- Timings: 6 pm to 2 am (Thursdays, Fridays open till 3 am)
Nightclubs in Dubai
If you want to let loose and have a night of partying out in the city, here are some of the best nightclubs in Dubai sure to make your night one filled with energy and fun:
1. BASE Dubai
This very well known nightclub is the place for your night of dance, music and partying. This club hosts internationally popular DJs, whose music is the highlight while you dance away. The pool and private cabanas make it even more exciting. The parties here are ones to watch out for.
- Location: Dubai Design District, Dubai
- Timings: 10:30 pm to 3:30 am, only Thursday to Saturday
2. Sensation Club
One of Dubai’s oldest nightclubs, this club is host to some of the best sound equipment and popular DJs. Also offering a range of great drinks, this club will ensure you have a great night, where you can dance to your heart’s content.
- Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai
- Timings: 11 pm to 3 am, Monday to Saturday
3. White Dubai Nightclub
This outdoor club in Dubai is known for its incredible vibe! The club’s extravagant lights paired with hip-hop music has allowed it to be recognized for its popular rooftop clubbing. White Dubai even hosts weekly Ladies night with an open bar, attracting many tourists here for a night of exhilarating partying.
- Location: Meydan Racecourse Grandstand Rooftop, Dubai
- Timings: 8 pm to 2 am, everyday
Comedy Clubs in Dubai
Want to have a night full of amusement and laughter? Visit the many comedy clubs in Dubai that regularly host famous and newbie stand up comics to fill your day with a bit of humor:
1. The Laughter Factory
The Laughter Factory, undeniably the most popular comedy club in the UAE, was first opened in 1997. Partnered with UK’s Comedy Store, this club is reputed for the quality of its shows. The club has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Time Out Dubai in 2013 for its exceptional performances.
- Location: The Palm, Studio City, Dubai
- Featured: Michael McIntyre, Russell Peters, Ed Byrne
2. Coca-Cola Arena
This stunning indoor performance venue that is fully air conditioned hosts some hilarious performances by various artists. This multi-purpose venue opened in June 2019 and continues to house some of the best entertainment in the area.
- Location: City Walk, Al Safa Street, Dubai
- Featured: Russell Peters, Jo Koy, Paul Chowdhry
3. The Theatre at Mall of Emirates
This venue is for all the improv enthusiasts. Hosting the Dubomedy, leaders of local comedy in the city, there are multiple classes and performances in standup, sketches and improvisation. Whether you are a budding comic, or simply a comedy enthusiast, head on over here!
- Location: Mall of Emirates, Dubai
- Featured: Dubomedy, Jean-Marie Bigard
Theatre and Performing Arts at Dubai
If you have a taste for the art of theatre, you should definitely check out these places in Dubai:
1. Dubai Opera
The grand Dubai Opera, a performance arts venue, is a center point for talent. This dhow shaped structure with a three storey chandelier hosts many award winning musicals and other performances. For quality performances paired with quality ambience, this is the place to go!
- Location: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai
2. Theatre by QE2
Get on the water in this luxury floating hotel and enjoy some great performances! This theatre onboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 hosts a range of performances including concerts, dances, pantomimes and comedy shows. Guests can view these stellar performances while enjoying drinks before, after and through the show.
Location: Mina Rashid, Dubai
3. The Courtyard Playhouse
This Improvisation Theatre and Training Centre founded in 2013 offers improvisation and acting workshops as well as performances for both children and adults. Learn a bit of theatre yourself, or just enjoy being an audience member in this two theatre space, of 75 and 35 seats respectively
- Location: The Courtyard, 4B Street, Dubai
Dinner Shows in Dubai
What better way to have a bon appétit than to pair it with some entertainment? Here are some places in Dubai where you can feast on your dinner while enjoying some great performances.
1. Babylon
Babylon will ensure that your dining experience is never boring. With varied entertainment acts and live performances, Babylon brings the extravaganza. With solo acts, cabarets, group acts, parodies and many others, the aesthetic ambience of this place perfectly complements the over-the-top attire of the performers, all while you enjoy a delicious meal.
- Timings: 7 pm to 3 am (closed on Sunday and Monday)
- Location: Podium Level, Gate Village 05, DIFC, Dubai
2. Koyo
This oriental restaurant and bar brings to life the vibrancy of Japanese cuisine and entertainment. Get a sense of the high-end life while feasting on exquisite Japanese meals with a modern twist while delighting your senses with the Japanese kabuki style culture. Along with various acts everyday, they also offer ladies nights, unlimited drinks, and many other such features.
- Timings: 6 pm to 1 am (closed on Sunday and Monday; Saturday brunch 1 pm to 4 pm)
- Location: Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Marina, Dubai
3. La Casa Del Tango
If you want to savor the Latin American flavors while immersing in the groove of tango, there’s no better place than La Casa Del Tango. With the acclaimed tango dancer Enrique Macana, come and learn a bit of tango yourself, or simply groove to this contagious dance performed by professionals. It’s sure to add a tangy twist to your night.
- Timings:7 pm to 12 am (Weekdays), 7 pm to 1 am (Weekends)
- Location: Gate Avenue Mall, DIFC, Dubai
Rooftop Bars in Dubai
If you want to see the glimmering city of Dubai across the horizon while enjoying a few drinks, what better for you than these rooftop bars?
1. Attiko Dubai
This rooftop bar and lounge is inspired by the spirit of social liveliness in Asian night clubs. Offering an energetic night with live DJs, lip-smacking alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, and tasty foods, watch the beautiful Dubai sunset at Attiko.
- Price for two: AED 330 (including alcohol)
- Timings: 5 pm to 2 am (open till 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays)
- Location: W Dubai Mina Seyahi Rooftop, Dubai
2. Paros
Relish this Mediterranean cuisine, along with unique drinks carefully and stylistically crafted by mixologists in this laid back setting. This rooftop bar and pool offers a Greek style ambience, with a stunning view of the city coastline. With a resident DJ that energizes up the night, this is the place for a vibrant rooftop dining experience.
- Price for two: AED 330 (including alcohol)
- Timings: 12 pm to 3 am (open till 1 am on Mondays and Tuesdays)
- Location: Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
3. Pure Sky Lounge and Dining
This chic rooftop lounge lives up to its name of offering an unmatched view of the Dubai sky. With the Ain Dubai visible from up close, this simplistic bar offers some great cocktails, with their signature Gin Tonic. They also offer ladies nights on Wednesdays.
- Price for two: AED 355 (including alcohol)
- Timings: 5 pm to 2 am daily
- Location: Hilton Dubai The Walk, Dubai
Karaoke Spots in Dubai
Want to unleash the popstar within you? If you wish to find a place in Dubai where you can belt out those musical notes, head on over to any of these karaoke venues for a fun night out.
1. Lucky Voice
London’s Lucky Voice karaoke is now in Dubai. With a wide variety of songs in 8 languages, this karaoke bar offers pods that can fit up to 25 people that are completely soundproof, to have a private karaoke session with your company. They also have a great spread of food and drinks at the restaurant and bar.
- Timings: 5 pm to 3 am
- Location: Grand Millenium Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Rd., Dubai
2. Kung Korean
Kung Korean restaurant and karaoke offers a traditional Korean dining experience before allowing guests to retreat to the private karaoke pods with U-shaped seating and some fun party lights. Enjoy the authentic Korean dining-karaoke experience at Kung Korean.
- Timings: 10:30 am to 1 am
- Location: Byblos Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai
3. ZRoom
For a night out immersed in live performance, karaoke, entertainment and good food, there’s nothing like ZRoom. With exhilarating performances and acts and karaoke sessions daily after 10 pm, you’ll be entertained through the night while feasting on the Mediterranean style Slavic-inspired meals.
- Timings: 7 pm to 4 am
- Location: The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Safety and Etiquette in Dubai Nightlife
Although Dubai offers multiple options to have an unforgettable night out, there are a few basic safety tips and etiquettes to keep in mind.
1. Age Limit
The drinking and clubbing age limit in Dubai is a strict policy that must be adhered to. The minimum drinking age limit in Dubai is 21, although some places only serve alcohol to those 25 and above. If you’re a foreign traveler, carry your passport as ID.
2. Dressing Etiquette
Although Dubai is more conservative in its fashion than many countries in the West, most nightclubs allow short dresses, skirts and heels. In fact, many of these places expect you to dress up in party wear to maintain standards. Best to avoid any kind of casual wear as you may not be allowed entry. But it is always preferable to call the venue in advance and check up about their dress code to rid yourself of last minute hassles.
3. Ladies Night
When it comes to Ladies Nights, clubs in Dubai really don’t hold back. Get innumerable benefits including bottomless drinks, discounted foods or even free alcohol. If you’re looking to spend a night out with your girls, don’t miss out on exploiting the advantages you get during Ladies Nights. Check up your club’s Ladies Nights days and plan your visit accordingly.
4. Driving After Drinks
It is strictly prohibited and punishable to drive after the consumption of any kind of alcohol in Dubai. Doing so is not only extremely dangerous, but a sure way of even being arrested. To avoid any such troubles during your trip, make sure you book a taxi back to your place after consuming alcohol.
5. Cover Charges
Recently, with the increase in nightclub guest turnouts, nightclubs in Dubai have started posing a cover charge upon entrance. It would be best to check with the club beforehand about their cover charge policy so as to avoid spending money unexpectedly.
Dubai is known for being as safe in the night as it is during the day, so that you can have the best nighttime experiences. With the plethora of options available to make your nights in the city eventful, you’re sure to fill up your itinerary with activities for the day and night. But one thing to be mindful of so that you have only the best time is to do your prior research and plan your night properly.
Once that’s done, go out and explore this shimmering city when the moon’s out for a thrilling, memorable end to the day, and rest in your comfy vacation home in Dubai!
FAQs
Q: Are there restrictions on alcohol in Dubai?
A: The legal drinking age in Dubai is 21. Although some bars may only serve alcohol to ages 25 and above. Alcohol is usually available in most bars, clubs and licensed shops throughout the year, although many of these might be shut during the Holy month of Ramadan. Driving and aggressive behavior in public under the influence is strictly prohibited here.
Q: What is the usual opening time for nightclubs and venues in Dubai?
A: Most nighttime venues in Dubai open during or after sundown around 6 or 7 pm. This completely depends on the venue, as some nightclubs and lounges may only open around 9 or 10 pm. It is recommended to check the timings of your preferred venue to avoid delays or confusion.
Q: Can women go to nightclubs alone in Dubai?
A: Dubai is known to be a generally safe city for women even at night. However, like any other place, basic precaution is advised. If you are a small group of women or alone, it is strongly advised to ensure you have reliable transport from and back to your residence, as well as somebody who knows your whereabouts. If you are consuming alcohol, it is always better to have people you know around you.
Q: Is it necessary to make reservations at nightclubs in Dubai?
A: It would be more convenient to make a reservation wherever possible in your itinerary. Most of the popular restaurants and bars require reservations. If you are mostly certain of your visit to that place, it would be efficient to make a reservation, so there are no uncertainties of availability.
