Dubai & Abu Dhabi 7 - Full PDF eBook

buddha bar bar
Map p220 (%04-399 8888; Grosvenor house,
al-Sufouh rd, Dubai Marina; h8pm-2am Sat-
Wed, 8pm-3am Thu & Fri) If there are celebs in
town, they’ll show up at Buddha Bar, where
the dramatic Asian-inspired interiors are
decked out with gorgeous chandeliers, a
wall of reflective sheer glass, and an enor-
mous Buddha lording over the heathens.
The bartenders put on quite a show with
their impressive shakes. Arrive early or pre-
pare to queue; otherwise book dinner for
guaranteed admission.

1897 CoCkTail bar
Map p220 (kempinski hotel, Mall of the emirates,
al-barsha; h2pm-2am) Channel your inner
Cary Grant and head to the bar at this
grown-up, moodily lit drinks’ parlour at
the Kempinksi. Don’t bother if you’re a beer
lover – you’d be wasting the bar staff’s con-
siderable talents. Decorated in plush purple
and polished wood, this place lures chatty
sophisticates; ladies get two free bubbly
drinks on Wednesdays.

saMuVar CaFe
Map p220 (iris blue Tower, Dubai Marina; h9am-
midnight) Wedged happily between Grosven-
or House and the Dusit Hotel, this dedicated
smoking tea lounge has comfortable seats
sprawled out on the vast terrace by the water
with the Manhattan-style skyscape beyond.
If you fancy a cuppa along with your smoke,
there are 31 different teas, plus fruit juices,
coffees and a selection of sweet treats.

bar 44 bar
Map p220 (Grosvenor house, al-Sufouh rd, Dubai
Marina; h6pm-2am) Service is slow, cocktails
are wimpy and prices are high, but the
views really are worth the trip up to this
swanky bar on the 44th floor of the Gros-
venor House hotel. Done in a retro-’70s
chic, with high-backed tufted-velvet ban-
quettes and buttery-soft leather tub chairs,
this is the spot to kick up your (high) heels
and take in the sweeping panorama of the
marina and Palm Jumeirah. Good backup if
Buddha Bar is full.

blends bar
Map p220 (address Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Ma-
rina) The name is very appropriate because
Blends indeed folds three distinct libation
stations into its 4th-floor space. Channel
Ernest Hemingway in the clubby cigar
room, complete with leather sofa, dark

woods and a coffered ceiling. For date

night, the sultry, candlelit champagne bar,

with its floor-to-ceiling windows, provides

a suitable setting for quiet conversation.

And, finally, there’s the trendy cocktail

lounge. Ladies get free selected drinks here

on Tuesday from 8pm to 11pm.

library bar bar

Map p220 (ritz-Carlton hotel, The Walk at Jbr,

Dubai Marina; h3pm-1.30am) This hushed and

classic bar feels like a retreat from Dubai’s

in-your-face modernity. Polished wood,

muted lighting, leather sofas and rich car-

pets combine to create a timeless colonial-

style atmosphere. The bar menu has some

interesting nibbles, but this is really more

the kind of place to steer your luxury sedan

for a post-dinner Glenfiddich or port.

Maya CoCkTail bar

Map p220 (le royal Meridien beach resort & Spa,

Murjan ave & Dhow St, Dubai Marina; h6pm-

2am Mon-Sat) Arrive an hour before sunset

to snag one of the Gulf-view tables on the

rooftop bar of this upmarket Mexican res-

taurant at the Royal Meridien and swill top-

shelf tequila-spiked margaritas as the sun

slowly slips into the sea. A plate of succu-

lent duck enchiladas sure beats the nachos

as the perfect booze accompaniment.

barasTi Club

Map p220 (le Meridien Mina Seyahi beach resort

& Marina, al-Sufouh rd, al-Sufouh; h11am-2am)

Seaside Barasti is the locals’ favourite (es-

pecially expat Brits) for laid-back sundown-

ers. Attracting all ages, this is a casual

place. There’s no need to dress up – you can

head straight here after a day at the beach –

but don’t come unless you like crowds. At

weekends, the place can be crammed with

4000 or more shiny happy people. DJs

play indoors, but it’s generally better to sit

Vip areas

Many nightclubs have vIP areas with

extras such as private hostess table

service, free valet parking, tailor-made

menu, private bar, total privacy, fully

controllable sound and light system,

specially tailored packages, compli-

mentary limo and, generally, the best

views in the venue� Expect to pay

around Dh3000 for the privilege(s)�

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