GENERAL INFORMATION
There is ample opportunity to pursue an active nightlife in all of the major urban centres in the UAE, except for Sharjah which does not have any bars or discos. The choice of night-time activities is obviously more limited in the rural areas.
Bars range from sophisticated cocktail lounges to informal traditional British and Irish pubs and Western style saloons. In addition, there are numerous piano and jazz bars. Clubs and discos host both local DJs and big international names. You can also visit local nightclubs with Arab singers, belly dancers and musicians. World famous groups and individual stars from the the West, the Arab world, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East are frequent visitors.
The hotels, in particular, vie with each other to stage the best live shows. Cabaret is standard fare in the hotel nightclubs, but it is during the winter season and on national holiday weekends that the hotels come alive with food festivals, stage shows and themed nights. Talented groups from countries such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka have wide-ranging repertoires featuring African beat, salsa, country and western, rock, R'B, reggae, jazz. Close your eyes and you could be listening to the original artists.
If it is a more cultural experience that you require, plays, ballets, classical music and operas are also perfomed by visiting groups on a regular basis. Even the West End of London has been transported to the UAE in the form of dinner theatre.
For an up-to-date list of the live bands and gigs taking place during your stay. Check in local newspapers and entertainment magazines (What's On and Time Out) on your arrival, or ask your destination tour provider for details of events taking place during your stay, so that you can plan in advance. Both Abu Dhabi Explorer and Dubai Explorer give a detailed rundown of all the venues.
BARS AND CLUBS
Most four- and five-star hotels have bars, pubs and nightclubs. Drinks can be quite expensive. Happy hours are common. The dress code in bars is usually casual, but some bars and all clubs forbid shorts, jeans, trainers or sandals. Some require shirts with collars.
As a rule nightclubs have a stricter dress code. Bars and clubs usually stay open until late, some closing at about 1 p.m., others remaining open until 3 a.m. In general people tend to go out late, usually not before 9 p.m., although if you are in a tourist venue the action can start a little earlier. Wedenesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are the busiest nights. Sports fans are catered for with many of the pubs screening major sporting events such as Premier League matches.
Arabic Nightclubs
Arabic nightclubs usually warm-up around 10.30 p.m. Food menus are often limited, although in hotels full Arabic menus are on offer. Entertainment can be lively.
| Abu Dhabi |
| Al Birkeh |
Le Méridien |
02 6446666 |
| Layali Al Sharq |
Zakher Hotel |
02 6275300 |
| Sharazad |
Emirates Plaza Hotel |
02 6722000 |
| Yakoot |
The Domain |
02 6667700 |
| Dubai |
| Al Abya |
Dubai Park Hotel |
04 3992222 |
| Al Diwan |
Metropolitan Palace Hotel |
04 2051336 |
| Escoba |
Al Khaleej Palace Hotel |
04 2231000 |
|
|
|
| Other Bars and
Clubs |
| Abu Dhabi |
| Ally Pally Corner |
Al Ain Palace Hotel |
02 6794777 |
| 9 A.M.P.M. |
Intercontinental Hotel |
02 6935214 |
| Balcony Bar |
Hilton Hotel |
02 6811900 |
| Bayshore Pavilion Bar |
Intercontinental Hotel |
02 6666888 |
| Beachcomber’s |
Marina Club |
02 6440300 |
| Hollywood |
Mina Hotel |
02 6781000 |
| Bounty |
Jazira Resort |
02 5629100 |
| Captain’s Arms |
Le Méridien |
02 6446666 |
| Chequer’s Wine Bar |
Sands Hotel |
02 6335335 |
| Clansman |
Grand Continental Hotel |
02 6262600 |
| Colosseum |
Marina Club |
02 6440300 |
| 49ers |
Al Diar Dana Hotel |
02 6458000 |
| Fun Pub |
Regency Hotel |
02 6765000 |
| Gauloises Club |
Le Méridien |
02 6446666 |
| Harvester’s |
Sands Hotel |
02 6335335 |
| Hemingway’s |
Hilton Hotel |
02 6811900 |
| Heroes Diner |
Crowne Plaza Hotel |
02 6210000 |
| Illusions (disco) |
Grand Rotana Hotel |
02 6742020 |
| Island Exchange |
Grand Rotana |
02 6742020 |
| Jazz Bar & Dining |
Hilton Hotel |
02 6811900 |
| Mood Indigo |
Novotel Centre Hotel |
02 6333555 |
| Opus Bar |
Le Méridien |
02 6446666 |
| Piano Lounge |
Grand Rotana |
02 6950455 |
| PJ O’Reilly’s |
Grand Rotana |
02 6950455 |
| Sargam |
Emirates Plaza Hotel |
02 6722000 |
| Scorpio Disco |
International Rotana Inn |
02 6779900 |
| The Tavern |
Sheraton Resort & Towers |
02 6773333 |
| Tequilana Disco/Karaoke |
Hilton Hotel |
02 6911900 |
| The Trap |
Al Diar Dana Hotel |
02 6458000 |
| Vincent’s |
Crowne Plaza Hotel |
02 6210000 |
| Waka Taua Terrace |
Le Méridien |
02 6446666 |
| Al Ain |
| Cave des Rois |
Rotana |
03 7515111 |
| Club Tropicana |
Al Buraimi |
0968 652010 |
| Luce |
Intercontinental Hotel |
03 7686686 |
| Horse and Jockey |
Intercontinental Hotel |
03 7686686 |
| Metro Disco & Bar |
Intercontinental Hotel |
03 7686686 |
| Paco’s |
Hilton Hotel |
03 7686666 |
| Peach Garden |
Hilton Hotel |
03 7686666 |
| Trader Vic's |
Rotana Hotel |
03 7515111 |
| Dubai |
| Alamo |
Dubai Marina Resort |
04 3493455 |
| Al Sayyad |
Claridge Hotel |
04 2716666 |
| American Dream |
Seashell Inn Hotel |
04 3934777 |
| Atlantis |
Dubai Park Hotel |
04 3992222 |
| Aussie Legends |
Rydges Plaza Hotel |
04 3982222 |
| Back Street |
Al Khaleej Holiday Hotel |
04 2276565 |
| Barasti |
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi |
04 3993333 |
| Beachcomber Pub |
Metropolitan Resort Hotel |
04 3995000 |
| Beach Bar |
Dubai Marine Club |
04 3461111 |
| Biggles |
Airport Hotel |
04 2823464 |
| Billabong |
Holiday Inn Hotel |
04 2288889 |
| Billy Blues |
Rydges Plaza Hotel |
04 3982272 |
| Boston |
Jumeira Rotana |
04 3455888 |
| Bourbon Bar |
Arif Castle |
04 3933777 |
| Carpenters |
Hyatt Regency Hotel |
04 2091400 |
| Carter’s |
Pyramids |
04 3249601 |
| Cave des Rois |
Vendome Plaza Hotel |
04 2222333 |
| Champions |
JW Marriott Hotel |
04 2624444 |
| Chelsea Arms |
Sheraton Dubai |
04 2071721 |
| Churchill’s City |
Centre Hotel |
04 6038300 |
| Clipper |
Jebel Ali Hotel |
04 8836000 |
| Cricketer’s |
Ramada Continental Hotel |
04 2662666 |
| Cyclone |
Al Nasr Leisureland |
04 3369991 |
| Darts English Pub |
Princess Flamingo Hotel |
04 2635500 |
| Dublin Arms |
Metropolitan Deira |
04 2959171 |
| El Rancho |
Marco Polo Hotel |
04 2720000 |
| Escoba |
Al Khaleej Palace |
04 2231000 |
| Finnegans |
Dubai Park Hotel |
04 3992222 |
| Fox & Hounds |
Marco Polo Hotel |
04 2720000 |
| Garage Club |
Ramee International |
04 2240661 |
| George & Dragon |
Ambassador Hotel |
04 3939444 |
| Hard Rock Café |
Dubai Park Hotel |
04 3992888 |
| Harry’s Place |
Renaissance Hotel |
04 2625555 |
| Harvester’s |
Crowne Plaza Hotel |
04 3311111 |
| Henry J Bean’s |
Capitol Hotel |
04 3458350 |
| Hibiki |
Hyatt Regency Hotel |
04 2091234 |
| Humphrey’s |
WTC Hotel |
04 3314000 |
| Irish Village |
Aviation Club off Al Garhoud Rd |
04 2824750 |
| Jet Set |
Vendome Plaza Hotel |
04 2222333 |
| Jules |
Le Méridien, Dubai |
04 2824040 |
| Kasbar |
Royal Mirage Hotel |
04 3999999 |
| La Moda Music Room |
Intercontinental Hotel |
04 2057333 |
| Laguna |
Oasis Beach Hotel |
04 3994444 |
| Layalina |
Dubai Metropolitan Hotel |
04 3430000 |
| Lindbergh’s |
Sheraton Deira |
04 2688888 |
| Long’s |
Towers Rotana |
04 3438000 |
| Lord’s Jungle Disco |
Club Lord’s Hotel |
04 2289977 |
| Marbles |
Intercontinental Hotel |
04 2057333 |
| Ned Kelly’s |
Dubai Marine Resort |
04 3520900 |
| Odd Spot |
Al Nasr Leisureland |
04 3371234 |
| Offshore |
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi |
04 3993333 |
| Old Vic |
Ramada Hotel |
04 3519999 |
| Pancho |
Villas Astoria Hotel |
04 3532146 |
| Pearl Bar |
Le Méridien Dubai |
04 2824040 |
| Piano Lounge |
Crowne Plaza Hotel |
04 2624444 |
| Planet Hollywood |
off Al-Qataiyat Rd |
04 3244777 |
| Planetarium |
Wafi Centre |
04 3240072 |
| Madness |
Royalton Hotel |
04 2229226 |
| Premiere |
Hyatt Regency Hotel |
04 2091333 |
| The Pub |
Intercontinental Hotel |
04 2057333 |
| Red Lion |
Dubai Metropolitan Hotel |
04 3430000 |
| Cibushi |
Princeton Hotel |
04 2827777 |
| Rock Bottom Café |
Regent Palace Hotel |
04 3963888 |
| Rumours |
Ramada Hotel |
04 3519999 |
| Satchmo’s |
Le Royal Méridien |
04 3995555 |
| Savage Garden |
Capitol Hotel |
04 3460111 |
| Scarlett’s |
Emirates Towers |
04 3300000 |
| Seville’s |
Wafi Centre |
04 3247300 |
| Shabestan |
Intercontinental Hotel |
04 2057333 |
| Shahrzad |
Hyatt Regency Hotel |
04 2091234 |
| St Andrews Rydges |
Plaza Hotel |
04 3982222 |
| Tehran by Night |
St George Hotel |
04 2251122 |
| TGI Friday’s |
Al Bustan Rotana |
04 7054610 |
| The Junction |
Century Hotel |
04 3520900 |
| The Office |
Metropolitan Palace |
04 2270000 |
| Tropicana |
Marine Beach Resort |
04 3461111 |
| Viceroy |
Four Points Sheraton |
04 3977444 |
| Vu's |
Emirates Towers |
04 3300000 |
| Uptown |
Jumeirah Beach Hotel |
04 3480000 |
| Up on the Tenth |
Intercontinental Hotel |
04 2057333 |
| Yarba |
Dubai Park Hotel |
04 3992222 |
| Sharjah/Umm
al-Qaiwain/Ajman/Ras al-Khaimah/Fujairah |
| Oriental Night Club |
Bin Majid Beach Resort RAK |
07 2446644 |
| Cosmic Bowling Alley |
Ajman Kempinski Hotel |
06 7451555 |
| Entertainment Lounge |
Ajman Kempinski Hotel |
06 7451555 |
| Impulse Disco |
Ajman Marina |
06 7423344 |
| Octavia Bistro |
Fujairah Hilton |
09 2223000 |
| Red Lion Bin |
Majid Hotel |
07 2352233 |
| Sailor’s |
Ajman Marina |
06 7442344 |
| Sailor’s |
Fujairah Hilton |
09 2223000 |
| Sirocco |
Al Hamra Beach Hotel RAK |
07 2446666 |
| Star Light Disco |
Al Diar Siji Hotel |
09 2232000 |
| The Olive Tree |
Ritz Plaza Hotel Fujairah |
09 2222202 |
| Tropicana |
Fujairah Hilton |
09 2222411 |
| Zulu Bin |
Majid Beach Resort RAK |
07 2446644 |
| Zorba Lounge |
Al Diar Siji Hotel Fujairah |
09 2232000 |
