Dubai’s nightlife is as dynamic as the emirate itself, with an eclectic mix of plush bars that elevate the art of cocktail-making to heights worthy of a city that’s also home to the world’s tallest building.
Whether you're in the mood for rooftop terraces with spectacular skyline views or chic lounges with avant-garde mixology, Dubai’s hotel bars offer something for every taste.
These are some of the finest, each located within top-tier hotels, many also home to MICHELIN-selected restaurants, making them must-visit destinations for discerning travellers.
Bitter Honey
The Lana, Dorchester Collection
Refined, snug and intimate, Bitter Honey is every bit as alluring as it sounds. It’s a cosy, grown-up and sophisticated kind of place, where sumptuous furnishings and high-end finishings belie the playfulness of the cocktail menu. Every drink is an alchemy of quirky concoctions, with botanical bitters and local honey swirled in for good measure. There’s the whimsically named The Bees Knees or Wicked Beehaviour, then the mysterious-sounding whisky-based Penicillin and Airmail, which mixes rum with brut champagne. There’s also a dash of theatre, with tableside trolleys where cocktails are made to your liking while the bartenders recount the stories behind their creations.While newly opened, The Lana has already become a culinary destination, too, with MICHELIN-selected restaurants Riviera by Jean Imbert and JARA by MartÍn Berasategui. The former delights with Mediterranean plates and the latter puts Basque cuisine under the spotlight within the dark-toned modern brasserie.
Bulgari Bar
Bulgari Resort Dubai
Bulgari Resort is the home of understated Italian elegance in Dubai and Bulgari Bar is no exception. The Jumeirah Bay Island venue is a masterclass in refinement and yet manages to maintain a relaxed atmosphere, with sleek interiors and a terrace that looks out onto the rippling Arabian Gulf. The bar’s cocktail menu focuses on classic aperitifs and creations that celebrate the Mediterranean spirit, whether that’s the staple Negroni or a unique creation steeped in Italian tradition. The resort also features one of very few restaurants in Dubai with two MICHELIN stars: Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, where you can indulge in Italian fine dining before or after your bar visit.There’s also Hōseki, which has one MICHELIN star in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2024, where sixth-generation sushi master, Masahiro Sugiyama, and his team serve an ultra-intimate meal to nine diners per sitting.
Gilt
Burj Al Arab
As one would expect from the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab – also known as the world’s only “seven-star” hotel – Gilt exudes elegance and extravagance. The gold-hued interiors are as striking as the innovative drinks on offer, with a cocktail menu that focuses on creative presentations and unique flavour combinations, from the Oolong Old Fashioned with maple cacao and Aztec Xmole bitters to Smoky Milk, which fuses smoked duck fat, roasted pineapple and curd milk with Mezcal. There are also myriad champagne options.For dinner, try Al Muntaha, which has one MICHELIN star in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2024, and offers French cuisine with a side of breathtaking Arabian Gulf views.
Ling Ling
Atlantis The Royal
Ling Ling sits on the 22nd and 23rd floors within the distinctive confines of Atlantis The Royal and combines fabulous views of Palm Jumeirah with high-energy vibes and a menu inspired by modern Asian flavours. The venue’s chic, contemporary design also makes it a magnet for Dubai’s trendsetters. Signature cocktails feature ingredients influenced by countries across Asia, while the bar offers an extensive selection of sake and Japanese whisky.The hotel is also a veritable gastronomic hub, where guests can enjoy Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, a restaurant with one MICHELIN star in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2024, but also an array of other MICHELIN-selected venues, including Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, Spanish and Greek spots Jaleo and Milos, and La Mar by Gastón Acurio, which serves contemporary Peruvian flavours.
Monkey Bar
25Hours Hotel Dubai One Central
Monkey Bar, perched on the rooftop of the 25Hours Hotel, offers sweeping views of the ultra-modern Museum of the Future, making it a prime spot for a sundowner. The bar, which hails from Berlin, is renowned for its tropical-themed décor and a menu that fuses Latin American flavours, with signature cocktails like the Peachy Primate Sour bringing a fun and exotic twist to traditional recipes. The laid-back vibe and jungle-like atmosphere provide an inimitable escape from the bustling city.,regionOfInterest=(1771.5,1185.0))
Salmon Guru
ME Dubai by Melia
Expect a whimsical journey through cocktail innovation at Salmon Guru, which lives within the world’s only hotel designed by the late visionary British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. It’s best known for its quirky décor and playful drinks, bringing the experience of Madrid’s award-winning cocktail bar to Dubai. The venue’s vibrant atmosphere is complemented by a menu that pushes boundaries in mixology, the drinks set out in distinct categories: strong, sour, refreshing, and fruity.
Sphere
One&Only One Za'abeel
Sphere offers memorable nights out 100 metres above the city. This sapphire-hued, gold-trimmed spherical venue lives in The Link, the world’s longest cantilevered building, with panoramic views over Dubai’s ultra-modern skyline. The cocktail menu is a major draw, featuring a mix of classics and innovative concoctions. Sip away in a discreet sunken booth or take to the dance floor and enjoy the live entertainment.The Link is also home to two restaurants with one MICHELIN star in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2024: Anne-Sophie Pic’s culinary debut in Dubai at La Dame de Pic Dubai, and Sagetsu by Tetsuya, where Japanese precision meets French techniques.
The Penthouse
FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Expect plenty of high energy from this glamorous venue, which boasts great views from its vantage point on the rooftop of the ever-popular FIVE hotel. It offers a Japanese fusion menu and weekly events, from live international DJ performances to sunset parties, making it a go-to spot for Dubai’s social elite. Meanwhile, cheekily named cocktails incorporate all manner of premium ingredients, including a Dubai classic – 22-karat gold.FIVE Palm Jumeirah is also home to MICHELIN-selected Italian dining at Cinque, a classy venue that overlooks the hotel’s swimming pool.
Treehouse
Taj Dubai
Treehouse at the Taj Dubai offers a chic, open-air lounge experience with jaw-dropping views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. There’s an impressive selection of craft cocktails with botanical infusions. The venue’s intimate, garden-inspired setting makes it a super-stylish retreat for a sophisticated evening under the stars to a backdrop of soulful deep house and R&B tunes courtesy of DJs, singers and a saxophonist.
