New Dubai nightclub only admits people with the right face

Dubai: A new nightclub opening up in Dubai will operate a face controlled policy at the door.

Club Envy, marketed as a "brand new exclusive club experience," launches at the Ibis Hotel in Dubai World Trade Centre on June 5. The face controlled policy means only people meeting the criteria of door staff can enter.

Club Envy Representative Gavin Johnston told Gulf News yesterday the idea was to create an elite club in line with establishments located in cities such as New York and London.

"People will be allowed in the club at the door manager's discretion. Clubbers will be selected out of the queue and fast-tracked inside. The concept is not discriminatory and people don't necessarily have to be beautiful to get into the club. We are looking for local celebrities and people who are well-dressed and suitable for the clubbing environment that we are offering," he said.

Club Envy's policy attracted a huge response from readers on Gulf News' website yesterday. Many readers thought the club's policy sounded unjust and unfair whereas others were delighted at the imminent arrival of another clubbing hotspot in the city.

Have your say
Do you think nightclubs should be allowed to pick who should enter on the basis of looks? Would you go to this club? Let us know by filling in the comments form below.

Ok, so obviously most people really don't understand what a face policy is. Basically it means that it is the door manager's discretion who is let into the night club, obviously the people who want to go to this kind of nightclub will be dressed in the appropriate dress code, and then the door manager picks and chooses who he lets in. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be beautiful, it just means that the door manager has the final say... I think all this talk about it being discriminative is just people who obviously fail to understand what the policy is all about.
Gavin (Club Envy Representative)
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 14:30

Dubai is famous for new experiences, it could be a new trend to advertise having a face control policy. We should pay attention to this matter too by adopting good a get-up, and dressing well for getting entry into such a nice club. I appreciate the club's administration in alerting visitors to maintain their look, style, personality and attraction. We must not think they are wrong.
Aslam
Djibouti,Djibouti
Posted: May 28, 2008, 14:25

You are all missing the point ... this is a private business. They can and should be able to pick who is allowed in. In turn, you can pick whether to go here or visit a different club. This is called freedom. Should I be able to choose who comes into my home? Of course! And a business owner should be able to choose who comes into his business.
Erik
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 12:52

This is just a publicity stunt. They are a new club in the city and want to attract people. Some stupid people may go there thinking that they are the most beautiful people in the world. What an idea!
Joe
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:59

I do not agree with this policy, but what can I do if the management wants only good looking people to enter the club. I think I'll try once and if I'm allowed to enter this club I'll try my luck again. Good luck to this night club.
Hael
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:56

I believe this is another way of advertising themselves, and I wonder how some ladies will dress to impress. Is it a way of a personality test for some people who think they are good looking, they try to enter this place to confirm that they're good looking?
Wisam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:35

What would happen to Mr Bill Gates ... a billionaire but not good looking? This place sounds like a complete waste of my time and money... all the best guys.
Sharon
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:34

Once upon a time in Dubai people used to go to pubs and discos just to unwind after a long day at work. Gone are those days. Now, the though of going to such a place is stress in itself. Gone are the good old days.
Rahanash
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 09:09

This goes out to the "others" who "were delighted at the imminent arrival of another clubbing hotspot in the city", what if they don't let people like you enter? What then? Would you still be happy about a club like this in our city?
F.J.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:48

I imagine the door manager who is making the decisions will need protection during or after hours, like a judge.
Jack
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:47

I think everybody wonders if they will get in....
Najim
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:38

Perfect! Hollywood style in Dubai! First of a kind. This is good news to all party goers. Let's rock!
Lastikman
Jumeira,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:31

Everything is about looks - do I look good, do I look wealthy, do I look successful? Dubai has mastered the art of illusion and perception - and this is just one more example. I say bring it on - the more people who go there the more room there will be in the nightclubs I like to go to.
Rich
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:26

It's a very nice idea, but you can't compare clubbing in paris and new york to dubai !
Ali
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:17

Another marketing strategy! Good one though! Come on open it and we will see if people will come.
Jerry
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:12

What's the big deal? It's the same racism I see everywhere else - restaurants, supermarkets, colthes stores and other service providers, car rental companies etc. At least they are honest about it. Everybody else practices anything from subtle to downright open racism. It is the order of the day. You can bury your head in the sand but it's true.
Karimi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:10

There can be many well dressed people without a dime to their name and that is not a way to focus the entry requirements of the club. Good luck to the club who is looking to bring a sort of apartheid environment to this wonderful city.
Nihal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:08

This is "Nonsense"...i think that implementing such a rule would only divert people to other clubs.
Saoudi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:06

Unfortunately in coutries like USA...discrimination, racism and sexism are strictly punishable by law! Its a pity to see that Dubai being the city it has become, still entertains such businessmen who promote discrimination!
Mubin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:04

Purely racist idea!!
Tanveer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:03

'In line with establishments located in cities like London and New York', Will someone realise that cities like New York and London also offer a lot more than bizarre-themed nightclubs. They give you rights, citizenship etc I don?t see anyone trying to apply those aspects?
Arti
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 08:01

Soon we will have to produce bank statements,and NOC's for entering places like these.This is discrimination.Suppose the guest does not like the face of the door manager will they replace him or her?
Ray
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:58

It is a perfect idea because you get people going to clubs who are unfit and problem makers, therefore i support this concept.
wissam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:57

Just because some fools do these kind of things doesn?t mean everybody would follow them. UAE has more than enough places for stress relief.
Mazhar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:55

If you want selected people then start membership program and the only people that turn up would be the ones you want. If you say that someone is not good enough for the club then that's going to hurt his/her self-confidence. Make it exclusive and then you don't hurt anyone.
Habeeb
Abu Dhabi,U.A.E.
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:39

What's the point of all that?!! single people can not enter almost any nightclub, they are restricted only for couples or if you know the on duty manager he or she let you in, whereas in Europe countries people have the right to enter any night club and enjoy their night!!.. Where is the human right?!! I would love from Gulf News to investigate and see the truth.
Khalid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:22

i wonder how it feels when they let your date in and youre not..
yagibuman
abu dhabi,uae
Posted: May 28, 2008, 07:19

It is good for maintaining their own standards, but it will have a negative impact on mankind. Maybe it is caused by an inferiority complex among the people who have the money for these types of clubs, but they don't have good looks. In my opinion, on a humanitarian basis, it should not be acceptable.
Hammad
Abu Dhbai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:31

What happens if the face criteria matches only people who cannot afford the club? The club would then change criteria? Instead of all this gimmickry, a clear listing of parameters based on which entry will be given should be put up. If they want to use some electronic gizmo, there should be a rule to state parameters considered by the gizmo and be subjected to independent review of local laws and regulatory authorities on human rights. This is made to sound like a raffle draw based on faces, but is as obvious is face match fixing.
Kumar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:29

This is a place to identify the "ins" and the "rejects"... Is there any device that will tell you "Sorry we don't consider your face. Thank you and try again."
Ram
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:29

This type of "policy" is standard in cities like New York and Paris, so why not in Dubai? I can't wait to go, since I know I have the perfect face.
Thomas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:26

This is pure prejudice. Entry will be allowed based on how a person looks. I haven't heard of such a thing in my life. I will never enter such a club!
Jeena
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:20

Sure this policy will be a new topic of discussion for disappointed and frustrated people. Being part of the "visible minorities" - as we are called now in France (my country) - I have experienced these so called "face policies". It is a private club, they have the right to define who they want to admit into their building. The most annoying thing is that these policies are not written, so there is no way to contest or challenge them. Where to draw the line? So far I am not able to find out.
Laurent
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:17

I disagree with it, this practice will give a complex to lots of people. Places like pubs and discos are stress releasing places, such rules should be waved off ASAP.
Syed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:11

What? Pick and choose to enter a nightclub? I think not. I thought we were supposed to be moving forward as a nation, not backwards. I say, if you don't meet the dress code, you should not be let into the club, but judging a person on looks is the most bizarre thing I've heard of. Just when I think I've heard it all. Good luck to the management, I know I will not be spending my money in this club. Nothing for me to be envious about.
Elton
Al Mamzar,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 16:01

This is simply a stupid idea. I'd rather not waste my time commenting on wasteful events such as this one.
Kartik
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:49

It's discriminatory! Sure, the club has their preferences, but for Pete's sake, how do you classify a person with the right face? It's basically rephrasing a word called "race". The club's policy is hogwash.
Steve
Sydney,Australia
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:40

I will never go to such a place.
Ameen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:37

The club is really subjective towards this, and mainly unfair and unjust, as beauty really lies with the beholder, which is unfortunately the door staff. I think that this is merely a publicity stunt to create some noise. If they really are serious with this policy, then this will only create a racism issue. I am not bothered and will not die if I don't get to party in this club. Thanks but no thanks...
Randy
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:37

In the name of "matching the criteria of the club" these guys can legally deny entry to anyone that THEY feel don't fit in.
Andy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:37

I agree with the dress codes, but referring to the looks ... hmm. Tsk tsk, some influential and rich people can afford more than this kind of club. It's a bad idea.
Langskie
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:29

I would never go to this nightclub and I think it would be a bunch of show-offs who would turn up there.
George
Kochi,India
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:28

If every club implements the same criteria then where will the ugly or not-good-looking people go?
Sameer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:27

I'm so much in favour of it! We must have the right kind of gathering of people with good looks.
Samrina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:27

I do think that this policy should never be implemented at this club, or any club for that matter. The door staff's taste or judgement cannot give a proper judgment into the whole persona of a person. No one can judge a person by their looks or the kind of shape of face they have. True, this club might be popular among the A-listers, but what about the average partygoer? Won't he be allowed in just because the door staff don't like the way he looks? I might go and visit the club once it opens. I just want to know whether the door staff can give a fair judgement by looking at me from head to toe.
Cristina
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:25

This is nothing but a great support to discrimination. Just because it happens in other places, does it mean Dubai too should mimic this ignorance and arrogance?
Mazhar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:22

Yes, people should be screened so the 'right' crowd is inside the club. They are trained to not let in the riffraff.
Fred
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:20

It will be fabulous! Only beautiful people with a lot of money! I'm so scared each time I go to a disco with poor and ugly people. So happy that such a club will open! Thank you!
Doudou
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:15

The good looking people will like this idea, the others won't. Regardless, this just feeds into the notion that good looking people have it all: the looks, the attention, the glamour, the VIP status, the fame ... etc. This will inevitably affect many teenagers growing up concerned about how good they look, in a very negative way.
Khaled
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:11

A better option would be allowing people to enter the club after verifying their bank statements, rather than the judging criteria be looks, as I am sure there are many pretty faces around with not a penny in their pockets. On the other hand, if you take any industry, there will be people with filthy looks, but loads of cash in their accounts. This is just a suggestion to the club management. This way, they can get a clientele which has more spending power instead of just looks.
Sandy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:11

It's just another way of advertising themselves, pretty clever though! Anyone can go, trust me! It's just that this would be the most talked about "club" from this day on.
Jazee
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 27, 2008, 15:05