What’s On has the list of best outdoor bars in Dubai, including beach bars, shisha lounges, happy hours, drink deals, wine bars, rooftop terraces and more.
This is part of our special GREAT OUTDOORS series, full details of which are below.
- Best outdoor brunches
- Best outdoor fitness classes
- Best parks
- Best BBQ spots
More….
- Coolest swimming pools
- Truth about shisha
- Smoking in bars
JBR
Wavebreaker
The perfect spot for a laidback beverage, Wavebreaker has live sport on plasma screens, shisha, a BBQ menu, and it’s right on the beach.
VIEWS: Wavebreaker boasts ocean views from the terrace.
FOOD: Meat and seafood fresh from the charcoal BBQ.
GO FOR: Low-key weekend drinks.
Hilton Jumeirah Beach Resort, JBR, Dubai, daily 10am to 10.30pm. Tel: (04) 3991111. Taxi: Hilton JBR. hilton.com/dubai
Zero Gravity
In a prime location overlooking the Sky Dive Dubai drop zone, the futuristic Zero Gravity is a bar, restaurant and beach club.
VIEWS: Sand, sea, and sky-divers drifting back to earth.
FOOD: A full and eclectic menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes.
GO FOR: Topping up your tan over a tipple.
Sky Dive Dubai, JBR, Dubai, Sun to Thur 10am to 2am, Fri and Sat 8am to 3am. Tel: (04) 3990009. Taxi: Sky Dive Dubai. 0-gravity.ae
Bliss Lounge
Holiday vibes abound at this beachside lounge at the Sheraton on JBR.
VIEWS: The curved banquettes enjoy uninterrupted views of the sea.
FOOD: Sushi and tapas dishes that are ideal for sharing.
GO FOR: Cocktails and nibbles with friends.
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, Al Sufouh, Dubai, Sun to Thur 6pm to 3am, Fri and Sat 4pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3995533. Taxi: Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort. blissloungedubai.com
Meydan Beach
Set back off the Walk in JBR, the infinity pools are the only things standing between this venue and the sea.
VIEWS: Gently swaying palm trees and tranquil waters.
FOOD: The restaurant specialises in freshly grilled seafood.
GO FOR: Poolside posing metres from the sand.
The Walk, JBR, Dubai, daily 5pm to late. Tel: (04) 4333777. Taxi: Meydan Beach. meydanbeach.com
Pure Sky Lounge
A more glamorous option in the same hotel as Wavebreaker, Pure Sky Lounge is up on the 35th floor.
VIEWS: The blue and white colour scheme and ocean views give the venue an Ibiza vibe.
FOOD: Grazing plates and grills.
GO FOR: Glammed up cocktails or bubbles.
Hilton Jumeirah Beach Resort, JBR, Dubai, Sun to Fri 5pm to 2am, Sat 2pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3991111.
Maya
Downstairs it’s a Mexican restaurant, upstairs it’s a stylish terrace bar with a DJ and great margaritas.
VIEWS: Maya looks over the lawns and beach to the ocean beyond.
FOOD: There are bowls of tortilla chips and dips circulating, and if you snag a table you can order something from the authentic Mexican menu.
GO FOR: Dinner that turns into a party.
Le Royal Meridien, Dubai Marina, Sat to Wed 5pm to 2am, Thur and Fri 5pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3165550. Taxi: Le Royal Meridien. maya-dubai.com
Girders Garden
With its enormous television screen, regular BBQs and vast tables, this fourth-floor dec area is a perfect place to enjoy sports and socials in the comfort of a European garden-style terrace.
VIEWS: Not much, truth be told. You’ll have your eyes drawn to the giant screen.
FOOD: Proper pub grub, including burgers and regular BBQs.
GO FOR: This is an excellent spot for big sporting events.
Girders Garden, JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04) 814 5590. jaresortshotels.com
DUBAI MARINA
Barasti
The beach bar that needs no introduction, Barasti hums with party people every weekend.
VIEWS: Sitting right on the beach makes it a pretty sweet place to watch the sun go down.
FOOD: The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
GO FOR: Live sport on big screens, lively lunches, and late night dancing.
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, Sat to Wed 11am to 1.30am, Thur and Fri 11am to 3am. Tel: (04) 3993333. Taxi: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi. barastibeach.com
Jetty Lounge
One of the best looking bars in Dubai, Jetty Lounge is all about classy cocktails, chilled out tunes and stunning sunsets. Book a table if you’re a big group.
VIEWS: Pretty special. Accessed via a winding path through the lush gardens of the One&Only Royal Mirage, Jetty Lounge is perched right on the sand, with sweeping views of the ocean and the Palm.
FOOD: Bar snacks and mezze.
GO FOR: Jetty Lounge is great for impressing visitors or celebrating a special occasion – plus the jetty screams sunset photo opportunity.
One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, daily 2pm to late. Tel: (04) 3999999. Taxi: One&Only Royal Mirage. royalmirage.oneandonlyresorts.com
Siddharta Lounge
As pretty as this bar is inside, it’s even better out on the terrace, where you’ll find a glam crowd mingling around the pool or lounging on leather cushions.
VIEWS: Grosvenor House is a great vantage point to take in the twinkling lights of the marina by night.
FOOD: Mediterranean/Asian fusion dishes.
GO FOR: Evening drinks in stylish surroundings – Siddartha Lounge is part of the Buddha Bar family.
Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Sat to Wed 10am to 1am, Thur and Fri 10am to 2am. Tel: (04) 3176000. Taxi: Grosvenor House. siddhartalounge.com
Shades
A rooftop bar in the heart of Dubai Marina, the infinity pool here gives it wow factor.
VIEWS: From the lofty heights of this rooftop terrace you can watch boats making their way along the water below.
FOOD: Tapas and an a la carte menu with salads, sandwiches, burgers, grills and more.
GO FOR: Poolside shisha surrounded by skyscrapers.
Address Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4367777. Metro: Dubai Marina. theaddress.com
Cargo
A huge terrace wraps around this circular venue inside Pier 7.
VIEWS: Top notch. Cargo is a great spot for dinner overlooking the water.
FOOD: Asian-inspired fare – the grilled beef tenderloin in ponzu sauce is a winner. And the sliders – delicious.
GO FOR: A mid-week dinner or inventive weekend cocktails.
Pier 7, Dubai Marina, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3618129. Metro: Dubai Marina. pier7.ae
The Rooftop Terrace & Sports Lounge
This Arabian-style rooftop lounge overlooking the One&Only Royal Mirage is a lot more picturesque than your average sports bar.
VIEWS: Look across the resort’s domed roofs to the ocean beyond.
FOOD: Arabic mezze.
GO FOR: Live sport in chic surroundings.
One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh, Dubai, daily 5pm to 1am. Tel: (04) 3999999. Taxi: One&Only Royal Mirage. royalmirage.oneandonlyresorts.com
MEDIA CITY
The Dek On 8
The fairy-lit palm trees and shimmering swimming pool give this bar on the eighth floor of Media One Hotel something of an LA vibe.
VIEWS: The views (largely of neighbouring office buildings) aren’t the main reason to visit Dek on 8. Go instead for the happy hour deals, picturesque poolside setting and DJ sets.
FOOD: It serves light bites and bar snacks.
GO FOR: A post-work wind-down.
Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai, daily noon to late. Tel: (04) 4271000. Metro: Nakheel. mediaonehotel.com
Tamanya Terrace
You’ll find seductive lighting and DJ beats at this glamorous terrace bar in the heart of Dubai Media City.
VIEWS: Sit back and watch as twilight falls over the Dubai Marina skyline.
FOOD: Nibbles, sandwiches and grills with an Arabic influence.
GO FOR: The popular Electric Days party nights and stop-and-stare views of the Marina skyscrapers.
Radisson Blu, Media City, Dubai, Sun to Thur 5pm to 2am, Fri and Sat 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3669111. Metro: Nakheel. radissonblu.com
THE LAKES
Reform Social & Grill
Reform has the British gastro-pub thing nailed, right down to the beer garden. Happy hours keep the after-work crowd happy during the week, and at the weekend Reform fires up the BBQ and serves a special menu of burgers, ribs and lamb skewers.
VIEWS: Grassy lawns and lake views.
FOOD: Reform serves food all day – including a cracking breakfast.
GO FOR: Tasty pub grub in a pleasant garden setting.
The Lakes, Dubai, daily 8am to late. Tel: (04) 4542638. Taxi: The Lakes Club. reformsocialgrill.ae
THE PALM
Riva Beach
Riva’s Gazebo Bar is next to the swimming pool and right on the beach.
VIEWS: Across the water you can see the sail-shaped Burj al Arab back on the mainland.
FOOD: Riva Ristorante serves up Mediterranean-inspired fare.
GO FOR: A beach day rounded off with a sundowner on the sand.
Building 8, the Shoreline, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (04) 4309466. Taxi: Riva Beach. riva-beach.com
Plaj
A relaxed Italian at the water’s edge on the tip of the Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent.
VIEWS: It’s a case of water, water everywhere at this beachside venue in the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.
FOOD: Pasta, pizza and other Italian favourites, washed down with cocktails.
GO FOR: The Italian inspired barbecues on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights are great for families.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, daily 9am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 4530444. Taxi: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. jumeirah.com
Nasimi Beach
Twin bars line the beach at this cool bar at Atlantis the Palm. The private cabanas, sofas and day beds make for great daytime loafing, while DJs and live musicians keep the party going after bedtime.
VIEWS: Gaze back across The Palm and to the beautiful coastline as far as the eye can see.
FOOD: Light and easy beach snacks.
GO FOR: When you want a little atmosphere to your day by the beach.
Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, restaurant noon to 11.30pm; bar, lounge and beach, Sat to Thur 9am to 1am; Fri 9am to 2am. Tel: (055) 2004321. Taxi: Atlantis The Palm. atlantisthepalm.com
MADINAT JUMEIRAH
Belgian Beer Café
Watching the sun go down with a chilled glass of hops is hard to beat. As its name suggests, the Belgian Beer Café is a good spot for doing just that.
VIEWS: The Arabian-themed waterways at the Madinat Jumeirah.
FOOD: Belgian fare including frites, mussels and waffles.
GO FOR: The cheesy Belgian frites and a vast array of beers.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Sun to Thur noon to 2am, Fri and Sat noon to 3am. Tel: (04) 4470227. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. belgianbeercafe.com
Bahri Bar
An Arabian-inspired cocktail bar nestled inside the Mina A’Salam Hotel.
VIEWS: Bahri Bar overlooks one of Dubai’s most iconic buildings; the Burj Al Arab.
FOOD: Mezze and light snacks.
GO FOR: Unlimited tapas and free flowing sparkling grape for Dhs295 on Thursday nights.
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Sat to Mon 4pm to 2am, Tue to Fri 4pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3666730. Taxi: Mina A’Salam. jumeirah.com
360°
A classic Dubai nightspot, 360° is a circular venue located right at the end of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Marina walkway.
VIEWS: The rooftop bar and club is named for its panoramic views of the sea, the Burj Al Arab, and the city.
FOOD: Meat and fish dishes with an Asian flavour.
GO FOR: Sunset DJ sessions on Friday nights.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, Sun to Wed 5pm to 2am, Thur to Sun 5pm to 3am. Tel: (05) 55008518. Taxi: Jumeirah Beach Hotel. jumeirah.com
Uptown Bar
An outdoor champagne and cocktail bar on the 24th floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
VIEWS: The sea in one direction, Jumeirah’s palatial villas in the other.
FOOD: Tapas and light snacks.
GO FOR: Post-work drinks and nibbles – there are daily deals on cocktails from 6pm.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4068999. Taxi: Jumeirah Beach Hotel. jumeirah.com
Rivi Bar
The Madinat’s outpost of London’s Rivington Grill isn’t just a restaurant, up on the rooftop is the stand-alone Rivi Bar.
VIEWS: The terrace overlooks the waterways that snake through the Madinat Jumeirah complex, so you can watch the abras floating by.
FOOD: British bar snacks from the Rivington kitchen.
GO FOR: Great deals on grape on Monday evenings.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 5pm to 3am. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. rivingtongrill.ae
The Agency
A suave wine bar with over 400 types of wine, and corking deals.
VIEWS: Overlooking the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah.
FOOD: An extensive sharing selection. It’s all about the drink and atmosphere here.
GO FOR: The terrific cheese nights, with a worldwide selection and fondue.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Sat to Wed 5pm to 1am, Thu 5pm to 2am, Fri 4pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3666730. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. jumeirah.com
SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD
Purobeach Urban Oasis
Strut your stuff among the lawns, trees and waterfalls at this sixth floor Balearic-inspired pool bar. You’ll feel like you’re in the back garden of a rapper’s mansion.
VIEWS: The whole point is to obstruct the view of the main road, which remains out of sight, earshot and mind.
FOOD: Poolside snacks are top notch.
GO FOR: A long afternoon beside the pool when all you want to do is switch off. Recharged, stay until the evening for things to get cranked up to party level.
Conrad Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily 11am to 2am. Tel: (04) 4447111. Metro: World Trade Centre. conradhotels.com
40 Kong
A stylish new cocktail bar on the roof of the H Hotel with lots of low, lounge seating, flickering lanterns and palms wafting in the breeze.
VIEWS: As you’d expect from a bar 40 floors up, the views are pretty impressive. It’s far better to see the World Trade Centre roundabout from up here than the back of a cab.
FOOD: A small but tempting menu of Asian-inspired dishes.
GO FOR: Sunset. 40 Kong helpfully includes the time the sun is due to go down on its website, so you can avoid missing the show.
H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily 5pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 3558896. Taxi: H Hotel. 40kong.com
Level 43
A spanking new rooftop lounge on top of the Four Points by Sheraton, Level 43.
VIEWS: Above: the sparkling city skyline, and below: Sheikh Zayed Road in all its glory.
FOOD: Quirky tapas such as lobster crunch – fried lobster coated in cornflakes and served with lemon mayo.
GO FOR: Sundowners or pre-dinner cocktails.
Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road, Bur Dubai, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3169900. Metro: Financial Centre. level43lounge.com
Iris
Iris is a pretty rooftop restaurant and bar on the 27th floor of the Oberoi Hotel.
VIEWS: The Burj Khalifa and surrounding cityscape take centre stage.
FOOD: A seafood-heavy Mediterranean menu.
GO FOR: Sophisticated evening drinks, DJ sets, and one of the best-looking crowds in Dubai.
Oberoi Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, Sat to Thur 6pm to 2am, Fri noon to 5pm and 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4441444. Metro: Business Bay. irisdubai.com
GARHOUD
Irish Village
If you’re fed up of glitzy hotel bars, the laidback beer garden at the Irish Village is the place to be.
VIEWS: A miniature lake, grassy lawns, and the kitschy “village” itself – which includes a gift shop selling Tayto crisps and Irish chocolate.
FOOD: Unpretentious, tasty pub fare in big portions.
GO FOR: Laidback drinks during the day and regular live music sets in the evening.
Al Garhoud, Dubai, Sat to Wed 11am to 1am, Thur and Fri 11am to 2am. Tel: (04) 2395000. Metro: GGICO. theirishvillage.com
DEIRA
QDs
A favourite among long-term Dubai dwellers, QDs is a huge bar on some nice decking.
VIEWS: The restaurant sits right on the creek with a view of the Burj Khalifa across the water.
FOOD: Wood-fired pizzas.
GO FOR: A peaceful pint by the water.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai Creek, daily 5pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 2956000. Taxi: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
Cielo
Cielo is as close as you can get to enjoying a drink on the deck of a ship without actually setting sail on one. It’s been designed to blend in with the yachts that bob on the creek below.
VIEWS: Spectacular views across the creek to the Dubai skyline on the horizon.
FOOD: You can order tapas to go with your sangria – Cielo’s specialty.
GO FOR: Drinks before dinner by the water.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai Creek, daily 4pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 4161800. Taxi: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. cielodubai.com
The Terrace
A canopy covered terrace lounge nestled inside one of the city’s most picturesque resorts.
VIEWS: Gaze across the creek to the bright city lights beyond.
FOOD: Seafood, salads and pasta dishes.
GO FOR: Relaxed sundowners on a Saturday evening.
Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai Creek, daily 4pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3172222. Taxi: Park Hyatt Dubai. dubai.park.hyatt.com
AND…
Blue Marlin
If anyone knows how to do a beach bar it’s Ibiza, so no wonder this Spanish glam magnet made a happy transition to the UAE. A 25-minute drive south of Dubai, this is somewhere to make a day of it with drinks and tunes from Ibiza pedigree DJs.
VIEWS: Not much to shout about, but that’s why you came for the exclusivity. That said, the sun sets behind the banks across the waterway.
FOOD: This is beach fare, but not as you know it. Excellent bites and more substantial plates for those sitting on the upper deck.
GO FOR: A day-long party with town’s chicest residents.
Off Sheikh Zayed Rd, Ghantoot Exit 399, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotels and Resort, Fri and Sat 1pm to 11pm. Tel: (05) 1133400. Taxi: Ghantoot Exit 399. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com
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