Going out in the clubs and bars in Dubai
Dubai has an exciting nightlife with many clubs and bars, mainly located in the hotels. There are no nightlife areas with many clubs and bars all together and therefore you have to decide in advance which club or bar you want to visit. Most clubs and bars organize themed evenings and there are regular performances by the best DJs of the world. You can go out every night, because there are many tourists in Dubai, but the best and busiest nights to go out are Thursday and Friday. Thursday is the last working day of the week in Dubai and this is when the weekend starts. At most clubs and bars you have to pay entrance and be well dressed to get in. The entrance to the trendiest clubs is quite pricey, but often there are one or more drinks included. On Tuesday evenings, most clubs and bars organize a special Ladies Night, where ladies have free entry and often even get free drinks.
The best clubs and bars in Dubai
There are many clubs and bars and Dubai and what is trendy is determined by the audience, the music and the atmosphere. One of the most famous clubs in Dubai is club White, where you have a great view from the roof at Dubai downtown and the Burj Khalifa. White is also known for a very strict door policy and chances are that you will be refused to enter. Women have to wear high heels to get in, for example. The chic rooftop bar The Penthouse offers a great view as well but in this case on the Palm Jumeirah and the skyline of the JBR beach. This is one of Dubai’s hotspots at the moment. Another hotspot is the Cavalli club, which is a glamorous club in addition to an Italian restaurant. At the famous Mahiki in the Jumeirah Beach hotel you can go out in Polynesian style and club Vault is located on the 71st floor of the Marriott hotel and offers a panoramic view of Dubai while enjoying a cocktail. Club Sensation is a well-known, large night club in Dubai with multiple bars and dance floors.
In addition to trendy clubs, there are also several bars in Dubai where you can enjoy live music, such as the Hard Rock cafe, McGettingan’s Irish pubs, The Irish village and Lock, Stock & Barrel. At McGettingan’s you have amazing views of the Burj Al Arab and you can see live sports matches on large screens as well as with Lock, Stock & Barrel. The Irish Village is very popular with expats.
Alcohol in the clubs and bars of Dubai
Alcohol is not allowed in the United Arab Emirates, but it is different in most clubs and bars in Dubai. Many clubs and bars where many tourists come have a special license to pour alcohol. Non-Muslims can order alcohol here but only if they are older than 21 years. There is strict control and without identification you will not get alcohol. So take your passport with you when you go out in Dubai, because they will ask for it when you order alcohol! Make sure you never get behind the wheel when you drink alcohol, because that is a serious offense and you will end up in the cell.
Dress code in the clubs and bars of Dubai
Most clubs in Dubai have bouncers at the door, who decide whether or not you are allowed in. These bouncers pay particular attention to the clothes you wear. For men, chances are that access is denied when you arrive on flip-flops, jeans, shorts or other casual clothing. Ladies can wear almost anything and mini skirts, short shorts and short dresses are very normal in the nightlife of Dubai. If you go out in one of the clubs and bars in old Dubai like Deira or Bur Dubai, it might be wise to dress more conservatively.
Going out in the beach clubs
If you do not feel like dressing up and want a nice evening out, you can also go to one of the beach clubs in Dubai. Often the DJs start playing in the afternoon and continue until late in the evening. At the beach clubs you can party with your slippers or shorts and they are not that strict. One of the most popular beach clubs in Dubai is Barasti, where there’s often live music and where you can find a dance floor on the beach. For more information, see our page about beach clubs in Dubai.
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