I have lived in Dubai for the last decade and I have to admit I only found out recently about the lively Odd Spot in sleepy Al Nasr Leisureland.
It was around 7:45pm on a Friday when my friend and I arrived at Dubai's first entertainment hotspot. We weren't surprised to find the parking area sparsely occupied.
At the entrance, we were ushered to a backdoor that opened to a small alley. "Are you sure we're in the right place?" I asked my companion. It was already starting to feel like an adventure. About a dozen steps later, I could see a steep stairway up what I thought was the oddest place one could expect to find a resto-bar. That explains the name, I guess.
The quaint F&B outlet, although somewhat small, surprisingly has plenty of room for people who want to sit down and eat, or enjoy the live band entertainment, which starts at about 10:30pm. A well-lit pool table sits at the far end of the room, with a game already underway.
The interior isn't swanky and first timers would probably say it shows traces of age, like the faded velvet wall padding, but this was all easily forgotten—by me at least—as soon as the food was served and the band entertainment started.
The outlet has apparently been around since the 1980s. Restaurant supervisor Mike Tanseco said the place hosted Dubai's elite during its peak years before flashier new places opened up in Dubai.
It's still open, thanks to a band of regular customers who come here with friends in tow. You can tell that it's mostly the same faces coming here by the way the members of the resident band, New Generation, call customers by their first name.
Since it was a Friday, we were given unlimited free popcorn. The food prices here are amazingly cheap. The menu has a decent selection of international or Filipino cuisine. It was a treat to order a plate of crispy calamari for Dh23. I also tried one of their specialties, tangigue kinalaw (ceviche) - fresh, raw fish cured in lemon and seasoned with chopped onions, garlic, ginger and tomatoes and a little bit of coconut milk. The price for Dh29 and the perfect taste were a double delight. Softdrinks cost Dh11 while other beverages range from Dh19 to Dh29.
Apart from the food, another reason to come here is to watch their resident band perform. I've never seen a bunch of talented musicians in one room. While performing their applause-worthy repertoire and keeping the audience engaged, you can see that they also know how to have fun while on stage. Their energy was so infectious we ended up staying until they finished three out of four sets at past 1am.
I headed out the door with a feeling normally only reserved when I find sale items during the Dubai Shopping Festival, knowing I have just found one of Dubai's best-kept secrets.
Odd Spot bar is located in Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai. It is open from 7pm to 3am daily. Call 04 3371234
