Vu's Bar
This 51st storey, ultra-classy bar was the original spot to take visitors for ‘wow' views pre-Downtown. Dress up and be wowed by the mega-long drinks list, for a retro night out.
Location Emirates Towers, Dubai
Timing Daily 6pm-3am
Tel 04 319 8088
Aquara Lounge
This waterside spot is super-popular for the Marina-set post work, particularly during the daily buy-one-get-one-free 6pm-7.30pm happy hour. Lads, don't wear flip flops, this is a purely closed shoe affair.
Location Dubai Marina Yacht Club
Timing Daily 6pm-midnight
Tel 04 362 7900
Rosso
A pizzeria and Italian restaurant in part, but also a very fine bar, Rosso's major selling points are a buzzing and large terrace that looks out to the sea, daily ladies nights (you get two free drinks, of a different variety each night) and an extra-long 6pm-9pm happy hour. Don't mind if we do!
Location Amwaj Rotana, Dubai Marina
Timing Daily 12.30pm-1.30am
Tel 04 428 3088
Pearls & Caviar
This super-trendy Abu Dhabi bar is as all-out bling as its name suggests. The black, white and silver decor is ultra-luxe (with, yes, lots of pearls), it serves up fine tapas - the tuna tartare is particularly special - and a DJ plays until the early hours every night. We say sit outside along the canal.
Location Shangri La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Timing Weds-Sun 6.30pm-12.30am Thu-Fri 6.30pm-3am
Tel 02 509 8888
Mahiki
This high-end tiki bar is all-out tropical. The barmen are all about the flair tricks, the drinks come in all sorts of unusual vessels (like conch shells or treasure chests) and are just plain out of this world and, well, there is just something special about it that keeps us going back. Which is obviously the case with many people; it's always busy so head down early.
Location Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Timing Mon-Sun 6pm-3am
Tel 055 216 0181
