6
Drinking &
nightlifEc oo Z Co CkTail bar
Map p 214 (www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com; Grand
hyatt Dubai, al-qataiyat rd; h6pm-3am) Sip
a martini at this dimly lit, super-stylish
cocktail bar and enjoy some smooth live
jazz – some of the most authentic sounds in
Dubai, in fact – by the resident singer and
pianist.o d Vicl b ra
Map p 210 (www.ramadadubai.com; ramada hotel,
al-Mankhool rd; hnoon-1am) This is about as
authentic as the English-style pubs get in
Dubai and gets packed out with homesick
Brits, here for the big-screen sports and ale
on tap. The added perk is the nightly live
entertainment, generally jazz with a singer,
which adds a soupçon of sophistication.r d e lounGe b ra
Map p 214 (www.dubai.raffles.com; raffles Dubai,
Sheikh rashid rd; h6pm-3am) Before you have
even shelled out for a (costly) drink, this is a
seriously heady setting. It’s at the dizzy peak
of Raffles’ iconic pyramid building, with
stunning panoramic views of the city skyline.
The decor is red and plush. Dress to impress
(this is a fashionista favourite). Move on to
the People by Crystal nightclub next door if
you feel like shifting into dance mode.c ih Club
Map p 214 (www.chinightclubdubai.com; 12a St,
oud Metha) The favourite of young expat
party people, especially on Friday nights,
Chi sometimes hosts live music, but the big
draws are its DJs playing funk, house, disco,
drum ‘n’ bass, and whatever else inspires.
Located next to Al-Nasr Leisureland, there
are four big spaces, including a Balinese-
themed outdoor garden where you can chill
in a cushioned lounge or VIP cabana.p ople by e crysTal Club
Map p 214 (www.dubai.raffles.com; raffles Dubai,
Sheikh rashid rd; h10pm-3am) Another of
the see-and-be-seen breed of sophisticated
nightclub with stylish decor, sultry light-
ing, world-class DJs and incredible views
from the top of Raffles’ famous pyramid.s b uMarine Club
Map p 210 (Dhow palace hotel, kuwait St; h6pm-
3am) Dive into the basement of this hotel to
arrive at a compact, industrial bar that’spopular with a refreshingly unpretentious
crowd. There’s often a band to kick things
into gear, along with DJs that shower beat
junkies with a heady mix of deep house to
trance, funk to R&B. Casual dress is just
fine.r coK boTToM café Club
Map p 214 (www.regentpalacehotel.co.uk/Dubai
.asp; regent palace hotel, Sheikh khalifa bin
Zayed rd; hnoon-3am) Fittingly located next
to Casanova (a barber), this place has a ’70s-
era American roadhouse feel, with a cover
band blaring out Top-40 hits and a DJ fill-
ing in the breaks with gusto. It’s a regular
pub by day, but with a mob of friends and
a bottle of tequila gone, it’s the quintessen-
tial ending to a rollickin’ night on the town.
There’s another branch in the r mee a rose
hotel (www.rameehotels.com) in Dubai Inter-
net City.7 Shopping
Wafi Mall Mall
Map p 214 (www.wafi.com; Sheikh rashid rd)
Westerners mistakenly bypass palatial
Wafi in favour of the behemoth shopping
malls, which explains why it’s so quiet. It’s
their loss. It may have once resembled a
third-rate airport terminal, but the newer
wing’s stained-glass pyramids are stunning
and the entire complex, encompassing the
superb Pharaohs’ Club, is a pure Egyptian-
cum-Las-Vegas-style extravaganza with
sphinxes, pharaohs, and columns decorat-
ed with mock hieroglyphics. While Emirati
women love Wafi’s fancy French stores like
Chanel and Givenchy, you may well prefer
sussing out lesser-known regional bou-
tiques or stocking up on underwear at M&S
(the best view of the stained glass is from
just outside the main entrance of M&S).
Duck into the mall’s basement to browse
around Souq Khan Murjan, which also has
stunning decor with a stained-glass ceiling
and plenty of decorative wood. Although
there is a good, if pricey, selection of crafts
and goods from around the Arabian world
here, alas, it too is practically deserted.
Refuelling stops include Asha’s and Noble
House at the adjacent Raffles hotel.b rJuu Man cenTre Mall
Map p 210 (www.burjuman.com; cnr khalid
bin al-Waleed & Sheikh khalifa bin Zayed rds)b
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