Aquara
Location Dubai Marina Yacht Club
Timing Daily, 6pm-12am
Tel 04 362 7900
This Marina bar is a firm favourite of Dubai’s party-goers of a Thursday and Friday evening, thanks to its daily buy-one-get-one-free happy hour deal, which makes this stylish lounge bar an unbeatable choice for kicking off the weekend’s revelry. The just-out-of-the-office crowd will be there, suited and booted, ready to let off some steam after a week at work, so even when happy hour has come to an end, rest assured that the buzz won’t.
Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Lounge
Location Oasis Beach Tower, JBR, Dubai
Timing Daily 6pm-2.30am
Tel 04 399 8993
This always-busy spot is the perfect place to head if you’re looking for a fun night out with the girls accompanied by a few cocktails and bar snacks. With a live band and an even livelier clientele, this probably isn’t the place to catch up on important news, as you will be SHOUTING, but whether you’re perched on a bar stool nibbling on a delicious Polynesian snack or relaxing in a booth sipping on one of the Tiki bar’s signature Mai Tais, it’s a great place to kickstart a chick-centric evening.
BiCE Sky Bar
Location Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Dubai
Timing Daily 6.30pm-2.30am
Tel 04 318 2520
BiCE Sky Bar is one of Dubai’s best-kept secrets, boasting great views of the Gulf and Palm and an impressive beverage menu. And if you’re looking for a place to wind down, there’s nowhere better to head for a relaxed nightcap than the balcony of this kitsch 10th-floor bar, with live piano music every night.
Bar Zar
Location Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Timing Sat-Sun 6pm-2am; Tue 6pm-3am; Wed 6pm-2am; Thu-Fri 6pm-3am
Tel 04 366 6197
This waterside bar has carved a name for itself as one of the most popular nightspots in Dubai. The Souk Madinat location makes it an ideal choice to take guests, but the friendly clientele and live music makes it a haunt you’ll frequent, time and time again. With deals almost every night of the week and an impressive bar menu, you’ll be hard pushed for reasons not to return to this bustling spot.
Two Guineas
Location Holiday Inn Bur Dubai-Embassy District
Timing 12 noon-3am
Tel 04 357 2999
If the sporting action shown on the big screen TVs isn’t quite up your street, worry ye not! You can enjoy hearty grub in this newly opened traditional English-style pub. Whether you head down for lunch or dinner, the relaxed atmos and friendly staff make for a chilled evening.
