Movida first opened their doors in Dubai in 2011, but nearly four years on, they’ve got a whole new look. The club underwent major renovations and relaunched last month. But in a way, the new Movida has gone back to the core essence of the club, which opened up in London just over a decade ago.
“Exclusivity, luxury and glamour,” are the three words Michelle Wassberg, door manager of Movida Dubai, used to described the newly polished vibe of the hotspot. “We have really gone all out with the refurbishing … The new Movida 2.0 has a very dressed up crowd, door policy is strict, so it’s definitely for people that [are] seeking a touch of glamour.”
If you’ve been to the club before, you might remember it as a long and narrow space, but now it’s taken on an open-plan design, with the DJ booth moved to the heart of the venue to centre the music. A new table section has been added as well, and the VIP area has been expanded in size, so that it can now act as a backstage area for DJs and artists performing.
The interiors, described as ‘sleek and luxurious’, have been “upgraded with new artwork, colours, Madrix light fittings, sofas, bars and, last but not least, a new top-of-the-range Function One sound system.”
As for the music — each night brings something a little different.
Wednesdays, the spot’s signature Industry Nights, go from deep house to hip hop, with random quirky tunes thrown in to keep patrons on their toes. Thursdays follow up with another mish-mash of genres. Fridays, however, are reserved for hip hop with DJ Bliss, and Saturdays are for full-on deep house, something the Ibiza lovers are sure to enjoy.
“As our capacity is more limited, I would strongly recommend booking a table, otherwise for walk-ins, arrive early in mixed groups and dress smart/elegant,” Wassberg said.
With ten years under her belt as a door manager, and over eight years with Movida both in London and Dubai, she knows a thing or two about how to pull off a smooth night.
“It was pretty crazy at times running the door at Movida London. We were immensely busy with huge crowds, big celebrities coming in every night and endless paparazzi who we often had to barrier off,” she said.
“There is a lot of pressure that comes with running a door like Movida’s, which requires thick skin. You have to know who everyone is and be very switched on. Not just who to get in but who to keep out. For example, we had a ban on most reality TV stars, so I had to make sure none of them would get papped getting in or out of the club.”
As for Dubai, things are calmer. Though there are celebrities, they benefit from more privacy and a lack of paparazzi stalking.
“Having worked for the brand for that long I can spot all the familiar faces — even Movida London regulars visiting our Dubai venue,” Wassberg said. “It’s my job to look after them as well as our new clients.”
For reservations, call 055-1744449.
