Dubai Marina by David Pin

Part of the experience of visiting any place is trying out its nightlife. And when the place is Dubai, the nightlife is what will complete your stay. So while you’re there, Dubai offers plenty of options to make your nights more memorable.

To experience the Dubai nightlife, you just have to find the right restaurant or bar/nightclub that fits your taste buds and what you’re up for. If you’ve got a business meeting on your plate or perhaps a dinner out with colleagues, or if you and your family is vacationing in Dubai, there are a lot of hotel restaurants that are worth trying. If you’re bent on dancing the night away and getting a few drinks with friends to end your day in Dubai with a twist, there are dozens of bars and nightclubs that reflect the energy and vibe of this growing city.

Restaurants – The Hotel Resto Trend and How Dubai is Getting Out Of It

First, for dining, make sure to explore the many different restaurants of Dubai. Plan your dining activities so you can visit the best places in town. Dubai’s restos are mostly limited, as of the moment, to hotel restaurants. To sample the taste of Dubai, you may have to do a bit of hotel-hopping, but it’s better than just

Neos Bar at the Address Downtown

limiting yourself to what’s in your hotel.

Thankfully, a lot of restaurants that divert from the hotel trend are now cropping up all over the city. In fact, there are now some stand-alone restos that are about to pass the introductory stage with flying colors, although they may require a bit of exploring around the newer areas of Dubai.

Don’t worry, though. The hotel resto trend does not affect the diversity of the restaurants in any way. Whatever you’re up for, be it American, Asian, or Italian, Dubai won’t leave you hanging. And of course, a lot of restaurants can also give you a genuine and sumptuous taste of the Dubai’s very own specialties.

Here are two of the best, must-try restaurants in Dubai.
Reflets by Pierre Gagnaire: Have you heard of Pierre Gagnaire? He’s a world-renowned chef with a phenomenal culinary expertise. He is celebrated for his unparalleled take on fine dining. Aside from his restaurant in Paris, Pierre Gagnaire decided to bring his culinary talents all the way to Dubai where he opened the Reflets. Like most other restos in Dubai, Reflets can be found in a hotel; the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City, to be more specific. This is a highly recommended place if you’re up for some Italian; it even has that classic, romantic Italian charm that’s perfect for honeymooners. Presentation is very lavish, and while you eat, you can look out over the marina (although the food may not exactly be keen on sharing the attention).

Tagine in One&Only Royal Mirage: Tagine, located in One&Only Royal Mirage in Jumeirah, is one of the most beloved restaurants in Dubai. The hotel

Tagine at the One&Only Royal Mirage

resto serves Moroccan food, quite exotic but very popular among travelers because the sampling of Moroccan dishes definitely adds an adventurous side to dining. From the starters to the the main courses, Tagine will definitely satisfy your cravings for something new and exotic (think lambs and pigeons). Some of the foods on the menu will give your taste buds a whole new take on food, so best be prepared. After the desserts section, you may finish with a relaxing tea session. And of course, Moroccan wine is an acquired taste. The best thing about the restaurant is that the atmosphere and the

Reflets by Pierre Gagnaire

sublime cuisine create a delightfully unique and authentic experience.

Bars & Nightclubs and Dubai’s Unique Bar Concepts
Nightlife in Dubai has come a long way, and it is now one of the most tantalizing things about the city. It is now complete with loud music, a whole lot of noise, and some laser beams to keep partygoers quaintly satisfied.

Most of the bars and nightclubs in Dubai accommodate partygoers until 3 in the morning. You will know when it’s time to go home when the clubs just suddenly stop the music and turn off the lights. Blame this on strictly imposed fines on all clubs that continue to play music even for just a second after the time limit.

The closing time is not the only thing Dubai authorities are strict about. Alcohol drinking is allowed only if you are 21. If you are under 25, stick to the bars; only 25 above are allowed into the nightclubs.

Also, if you plan to experience the Dubai nightlife, do not visit the country during Ramadan season. Most of the bars and nightclubs will be closed, and those that are open will not have live music and dancing.

But if you time your visit just right, you can dance to the mixes of world class DJs that make a concurrent appearance in Dubai. The list includes Paul van Dyke, Hed Kandi and Groove Armada, DJ Tiesto, and so on. The popularity of Dubai nightlife, helped by these celebrity appearances, have also increased the normal entry fee bars and nightclubs charge. Now, it’s around 50 to 100 dirhams for entry plus a couple of drinks. If there’s a famous DJ in the house, then the normal price is up another 100 dirhams. If you want to save money, go clubbing on weeknights, but it’s just not the same experience.

Buddha Bar at the Grovesnor House

New Asia Night Club at the Raffles Dubai

The good news is, the high fees they charge for entrance do ensure that the bars and nightclubs have a carefully selected mix of clientele, so you can expect the nightlife experience to be safe and just focus on having a lot of fun.

Kasbar: Still one of the “places to be” when it comes to the Dubai nightlife is Kasbar. The three-level club-bar boasts of a thriving atmosphere in an oriental Arabic theme. The upper levels of Kasbar also affords partygoers

the chance to dance out on the terrace under the Dubai lights. Other than that, Kasbar features live music complete with DJs and a tempting dance floor. Music is usually a mix of Western and Arabic club, house, pop, and techno sounds, and the bar houses some of the most famous DJs in Dubai.

Buddha Bar: The Buddha Bar, originating in Paris, is another hip and happening place that’s perfect for your second night in Dubai. It is located in Grosvenor House in Dubai Marina. The Buddha Bar is not just any bar; it is a gigantic two-level building in which Dubai nightlife culminates. It divides into a restaurant, a lounge, and a bar – three different atmospheres under one roof. Aside from the view of the Persian Gulf, the dimly lit and well-designed interior featuring plush carpets and cozy coves is a sight to behold. The prices are a little beyond the standard, but the experience alone is definitely worth it.