On the surface you may think Dubai is saturated with clubs, pubs and nightspots. However, it would seem there is always a gap in the market.

This week District Lounge at Dubai’s Capital Club opens its doors to the public and has a very specific audience in mind.

“The DIFC offers some great places to eat,” said Michael Hariz, CEO of events agency HME. “But after that the options are limited unless you move on to a larger club to make a night of it or travel somewhere else.”

The District Lounge, modelled on many of the trendy bars in New York’s famous Meatpacking District, will now plug this hole offering diners of DIFC outlets including La Petit Maison, Gaucho and Zuma to name a few, a place to enjoy after-dinner drinks, loosen the tie and maybe even throw some shapes on the dance floor.

Each Friday a number of floors of the exclusive member’s club, located in DIFC building three, will be transformed into a lounge style bar for the professional.

Soundbites chatted to Hariz about music, menu and the all-important door policy.

Q: Sum up the District Lounge for us?

A: It’s a place which offers an alternative and sophisticated party venue in the upmarket Downtown Dubai area. Just a stones throw away from leading international dining destinations, District is the cherry on the top for the city’s stylish who work and play in the DIFC area.

Q: Why exactly does Dubai need the District Lounge?

A: The District Lounge is something new and exciting for DIFC which is much-needed. It’s a place to continue to socialise without having to make a trip else where.

Q: When will it open?

A: It won’t be a permanent fixture of the Capital Club when it resumes week-to-week business. Therefore we will transform as many floors as necessary to accommodate the numbers each week. Lounge-style seats and sofas will be shuffled about and a small area arranged as a dance space. To begin with we are trying out Friday from 10pm-3am but when it becomes more popular the plan is to expand to a Thursday night from 6pm for after-work drinks.

Q: Is the venue indoor or outdoor?

A: The venue has a both indoor and outdoor seating for party goers in search of a sophisticated and stylish party scene.

Q: What about the music?

A: Resident DJ’s are Daniel Jahed and Daniel Azar, better known as Jixo and Danz which means house mixed with a touch of R&B. The guys specialise in what they call minimalist house which is a deeper, groovier side of traditional house music. The Lebanese duo are well-known on the Dubai party scene and often play at 360 among other places.

Q: The Capital Club is an exclusive establishment. What is your door policy?

A: When it comes to entry either the guest list or table bookings are recommended to guarantee entry but not mandatory by any means. Should one not have a table or be on the guest list, as always the earlier you come the better. But we’ll be honest, the dress code should be stylish, smart casual and definitely no trainers or flip flops will be allowed.

Q: What’s the capacity?

A: 300 so far but there is scope to expand if it takes off.

*For more on District Lounge, call 050-8802285.