Dubai’s reopened must-see destinations
To visit soon are beach clubs, rooftop bars, and lounges.
Set out on a remarkable adventure across Dubai’s most alluring and recently restored locations. Start with the incredible Billionaire Dubai, which won the award for Best Dinner and Show. Here, Japanese and Mediterranean culinary delights are mixed with breathtaking live acts to create an unmatched dining experience. Discover the colorful Bla Bla beach club, a fantastic sanctuary for the ideal beach day, with its 20 bars, three restaurants, and poolside pleasure. Discover the Mediterranean sanctuary Bungalo34, a Pearl Jumeira Island hidden gem with alluring ’70s-inspired design. With stunning views of the Gulf, French Riviera Beach at Jumeirah Al Qasr sets the scene for traditional and contemporary French-Mediterranean cuisine. The Helipad by Frozen Cherry and the cozy Ling Ling Ultra Lounge are two places in Dubai’s nightlife scene that come alive, while MIYA Dubai serves you authentic Greek food and enthralling live entertainment. Nuska Beach at Jumeirah Beach Hotel offers fine dining with breathtaking views, while Nikki Beach welcomes you to enjoy the elegance of beach club living. The Pure Sky Lounge by Hilton, positioned on the 35th floor with panoramic views of Dubai’s coastline, and Shimmers at Madinat Jumeirah both provide the greatest rooftop experiences. Shimmers at Madinat Jumeirah provides an exquisite seaside environment with Mediterranean specialties. At Soul Beach and Surf Club, where endless leisure and seaside entertainment are waiting, you may finally delve into sun-drenched days. A universe of remarkable experiences are just waiting to be discovered at Dubai’s newly revealed treasures.
Billionaire Dubai
Billionaire Dubai, a Dubai-based dining and entertainment venue, has won the Best Dinner and Show category at Time Out Dubai’s Nightlife Awards 2022. The venue, located at the Taj Hotel in Business Bay, offers a mix of Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine, including truffle-topped pizzas, sushi platters, seared steaks, and lobster pasta. The restaurant also features a new show featuring singers, dancers, acrobats, and other performers. Guests can enjoy a unique experience in the adjacent lounge, where resident and internationally-renowned DJs provide a unique experience from sunset to early morning hours. The venue’s chic dining room offers prime seating around the stage, making it an ideal choice for celebratory occasions. The upbeat atmosphere makes it an ideal choice for a celebratory occasion, and it’s possible to spot a famous face there.
Tuesday-Sunday, 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Taj Dubai, Downtown Dubai, billionairesociety.com/dubai (056 678 3357).
Bla Bla
JBR Beach Club Bla Bla, opened in early 2021, offers a unique entertainment experience with 20 bars, three restaurants, a beach club, and a pool. The outdoor area is now open, making it an ideal spot for pool days. It’s time to schedule a pool day now that the outdoor area is open again. Bla Bla is a sizable, one-of-a-kind entertainment complex with plenty to offer everyone. It is located by the beach on JBR. This social attraction in Dubai is unique because it has a restaurant, 20 lounge rooms, and a beach club. Bla Bla is a one-stop shop where you can swim, lay by the pool, eat, and spend the evening going from venue to location with friends. The beach club offers coveted orange private cabanas, while the restaurant offers Japanese and Italian cuisine and Texas smokehouse specials. Each space has its own theme, from the Breakfast Club to the Maximalist Bar and traditional Irish Pub. The interiors range from graffiti-filled New York dens to glitzy VIP arenas, and the terraces offer breathtaking views of Dubai.
Daily 8am-3pm. JBR The Beach, blabladubai.ae (04 584 4111).
Bungalo34
Bungalo34, a secluded beachside restaurant by Tashas Group, is now open for daily Mediterranean food. Located on Pearl Jumeira Island, it pays homage to European coastal regions and offers a classic menu featuring Greek, French, and Italian influences. The restaurant’s bold 70s decor, featuring burnt orange and white parasols and subtle Riviera motifs, makes it a popular spot for Instagrammable dining. Breakfast options include The Sunrise, featuring oat crumble, coconut Chantilly cream, and tropical pineapple, and Canadian lobster Hollandaise and egg on toast. The restaurant also offers simpler fare like croissants and cheese platters, as well as dishes like pizzetti, chicken Parmigiana, oysters, linguine vongole, and lemon spaghetti. Visitors can also take a dip in the sea or browse the restaurant’s concept store, Collective Africa at the Beach, which showcases artisanal handicrafts, accessories, and beauty products. Advance reservations are required for this beachside eatery.
Monday–Friday, midday to midnight; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–midnight. Pearl Jumeira Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Jumeirah 1 (04 238 1780).
French Riviera Beach
French Riviera Beach, located on the Jumeirah Al Qasr resort’s beachfront, offers a blend of classic and modern French-Mediterranean cuisine with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. The French Riviera, also known as Côte d’Azur, is renowned for its stunning coastline, stretching from Marseilles to Menton. The website provides detailed information about the beaches, including pictures, videos, and descriptions, as well as advice on accessing each beach by foot, car, train, or bus. The website also provides information on renting lounge chairs, umbrellas, and other amenities, as well as reviews of beach restaurants. The website also lists hotels closest to the beach, making it easy to plan your dream holiday on the French Riviera.
Monday-Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 12.30pm-10pm. Jumeirah Al Qasr, jumeirah.com/en/dine/dubai/al-qasr-french-riviera-beach (800 32 32 32).
Helipad by Frozen Cherry
Frozen Cherry is set to reopen its unique dining and lounge space in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on October 12. The venue, set on an actual helipad, offers 360º views of Dubai, including great sunset views. Inspired by the iconic Frozen Cherry nightclub in Beirut, Lebanon, the venue aims to replicate the energetic atmosphere of Lebanon’s vibrant clubbing scene. During the week, Helipad functions as a lounge, providing a relaxed and social atmosphere for guests to unwind. On weekends, it transforms into a club, offering an immersive experience for partygoers. The venue features delicious food by BB Social Dining and an eclectic mix of music by local and international DJs, making it a perfect destination for music enthusiasts. The upscale ambiance, modern design, state-of-the-art sound system, and lighting setup make Helipad a dynamic and versatile space for guests to enjoy food, drinks, music, sunsets, and good vibes.
Sunday-Thuesday, 5 p.m.–1 a.m.; Friday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–2 a.m. Dubai Festival City Helipad (052 469 7349)
Ling Ling Ultra Lounge
Ling Ling Ultra Lounge, Dubai’s newest entertainment hotspot, will reopen on October 5th at Atlantis The Royal. The 23rd-floor bar offers an intimate and exclusive nightlife experience, with 10 tables accommodating up to 10 people. Guests can enjoy bottle service, handcrafted cocktails, and premium bubbles. The lounge features an exceptional entertainment line-up, including international DJ James Zabiela, who will grace the decks for one night only to mark the winter season’s arrival. The venue offers a vibrant aesthetic, featuring cerused oak panelling and an interactive LED strip ceiling. The bar features a marble-rich bar, plush pink sofas, and chic marble tables, perfect for drinks after dinner. The hypnotic soundtrack of deep electronic music will elevate the atmosphere, with DJ Darko taking to the decks before the renowned DJ James Zabiela. Resident DJs at Ling Ling Ultra Lounge include DJ Arina on Thursdays and Fridays with tech house, melodic techno, and progressive house, and DJ Michelle Grant on Saturdays with organic house and melodic techno.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 11 p.m.–3 a.m.Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah (056 56 997 1642).
MIYA
MIYA Dubai, a Greek restaurant on Bluewaters Island, has reopened after being closed for the summer. The restaurant offers authentic Greek cuisine in a calm and inviting setting, featuring an open kitchen and a neutral colour palette with bursts of blue, white, and copper. The menu combines traditional Greek dishes with a contemporary twist, offering Mediterranean favourites like beef tartare with black truffle, roasted octopus with hummus and salsa verde, and feta saganaki with tomato marmalade. MIYA Dubai also offers Greek-inspired live entertainment throughout the week, featuring traditional dancers and singers and the tradition of plate smashing.
Sunday–Wednesday 1pm–1am, and Thursday–Saturday 1pm–2am. Bluewaters Island (04 564 0008)
Nikki Beach
Nikki Beach, a luxury beach club concept introduced by Jack Penrod in 1988, has grown into a global lifestyle hospitality company with 11 beach clubs, 5 hotels and resorts, a fashion division, special events, and Nikki Cares, a 501c3 non-profit charity. The brand has gained recognition for its impressive pop-ups during the Cannes International Film Festival, partnerships with renowned performers and DJs, and a curated fashion collection in boutiques and online shops. Nikki Beach has introduced various dining concepts, a luxury spa, and Tone Gym to its growing hotel division. The beach clubs are now available in Miami Beach, Saint Tropez, Saint Barth, Marbella, Ibiza, Monte Carlo, Dubai, Costa Smeralda, and Tivat. Nikki Beach also hosts a pop-up location during the Cannes International Film Festival every year.
Tuesday-Sunday11am-8pm. Pearl Jumeira, dubai.nikkibeach.com (04 376 6162).
Nuska Beach
Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s Nuska Beach is back, offering a menu of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours over the grill. Located on the hotel’s scenic front, it’s a perfect spot for casual lunches, sundowners, and late-night dining. The restaurant is designed as a social hub with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and Burj Al Arab. The musical soundtrack ranges from jazz to hip-hop, making it an ideal setting for both daytime relaxation and evening leisure. Head chef Wagner Clebis helms the culinary vision, focusing on age-old cooking techniques over coals. The menu includes small plates like ocean to earth tartare and moules frites, as well as signature grilled dishes like Nuska steak, Chateaubriand steak, and harissa-charred octopus. Nuska Beach is a hidden gem within Jumeirah Beach Hotel, blending quality cuisine, a dynamic atmosphere, and captivating views.
Open daily 6 p.m.–11 p.m. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, jumeirah.com/en/dine/dubai/beach-hotel-nuska-beach (800 32 32 32)
PURE Sky Lounge by Hilton
Pure Sky Lounge is a chic rooftop bar located on the 35th floor of the Hilton Dubai The Walk in Jumeirah Beach Residences. The lounge offers stunning views of Dubai’s coastline and Palm Jumeirah, with a bird’s-eye view of the Arabian Gulf. It features two large terraces for indoor or outdoor lounging and an open-air barbecue with delicious cuts. The lounge is considered one of the best lounges in the city, offering twilight dining and late-night mingling with live entertainment. Open every evening until 2 a.m., the lounge serves fruity and inventive cocktails with playful twists on classics.
Daily 5pm-2am. Level 35, The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence (04 318 2319)
Shimmers
Shimmers, a chic beachside restaurant on the shores of the Madinat Jumeirah, offers Mediterranean food, epic sunset views, and an elegant beachy ambience. Located on the Burj Al Arab, it’s perfect for date nights and offers an array of Mediterranean delicacies and award-winning refreshments. The restaurant serves modern dishes from the Hellenic region, including signature salads and carpaccio. For an indulgent meal, guests can opt for oysters from their daily selection or the Shimmers Seafood Experience, which includes sharing platters of sustainable-sourced lobsters, crab, prawns, and other fish. The baked seabass cooked with capers and lemon is a must-try, and the grilled chicken souvlaki is a must-try. The restaurant also offers Greek yoghurt, ice cream, or fresh fruit plates. The chic, toes-in-the-sand venue is now open for bookings.
Daily 4pm-1am. Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Souk Madinat Jumeirah (800 323 232).
Soul Beach
Soul Beach Dubai, located at JA The Resort’s marina, is back with an infinity pool, al fresco dining restaurant, beachside pergola, and lounge. The beach spans one kilometre along Saadiyat Island in the charming community of Memsha Al Saadiyat. With over 400 parasol-flanked sunbeds, guests can enjoy the stunning Arabian Gulf views. To order refreshments, simply scan the QR code on the sunbed and use Soul Beach’s WhatsApp service. The staff will deliver your order directly to your bed.
Daily 7am-6pm. Soul Beach, JA Resort
Surf Club
Surf Club is back on Palm West Beach in Dubai, offering a unique and exciting venue for sunseekers. Guests can enjoy private beach cabanas and sun loungers with exclusive beach access, while at night, they can enjoy the Sundowner Cocktail Bar and dance under the stars. A limited Surf Club membership programme will be launched in the coming months, offering exclusive perks and priority access to one-time events. The venue also features seafood towers, live sushi counters, and signature dishes like sautéed carabinero prawns and lobster linguine. Meat eaters can enjoy steak tartare, wagyu beef sliders, and prime black angus cuts cooked over the fire. Crisp cocktails and fresh seafood are also available. The terrace or beach offers stunning views of the sunset and the iconic Dubai Marina Skyline.
Daily noon-1am. Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, events@surfclubdubai.com, @surfclubdubai (056 688 1332).