The 12 Best Bars in Dubai, from Moody Speakeasies to Buzzy DJ Spots

08.11.2023 - 21:13 / cntraveler.com / Burj Al-Arab

Dubai’s credentials as a foodie city can't be argued. The emirate has made its mark on a global scale thanks to a crop of homegrown restaurants, innovative chefs, and global flavors.

Perhaps less talked about is its bar scene, which has been quietly evolving in the shadows. The city is now home to a host of specialist establishments mixing some seriously impressive drinks. From upscale elegance and all-out glamour to underground listening bars and sultry speakeasies, here are the best bars in Dubai, as chosen by our editors.

Gilt's gold-fronted bar in Burj Al Arab, Dubai

As anyone who has been inside Dubai’s self-labeled seven-star hotel can attest, Burj Al Arab doesn’t do things by halves. And so Gilt—the hotel’s gold-dipped sky bar on the 27th floor—is a suitably lavish affair. Low lighting is offset by curtains of crystal fairy lights that bring out the glint of the gold leaf wallpaper and bounce off the dramatic gilded bar and ceiling. Head mixologist Thibault Méquignon has created a refined menu that plays with smoky, bitter, and sweet flavors, and his team is always on-hand to offer their recommendations. Take a seat at the bar to watch the masters at work, or opt for one of the plush sapphire velvet booths for a little more privacy. Either way, enjoy the just-noticeable-enough soundtrack provided by a DJ half-hidden in a foliage-filled booth. Keep in mind: A drink here is also one of the best ways to get a look inside one of Dubai’s most iconic hotels.

Dubai's Galaxy Bar takes its inspiration from the extraterrestrial

Named as a World’s 50 Best Bars’ “one to watch” in 2020 before officially debuting at number 45 on the list in 2021, Galaxy Bar is making waves internationally. In Dubai, however, it’s long been a favorite with those in the know. Located in an unassuming corner of DIFC’s buzzing Gate Village, Galaxy Bar takes its inspiration from the extraterrestrial. The intimate space is kept intentionally cozy, with just a handful of tables adding to its feeling of exclusivity. It’s dark (really dark) with the spotlight firmly fixed on the arched marble bar, where mixologists put on a nightly performance for audiences lurking in quiet corners. Inky blue seating lines the room, giving way to an indigo ceiling dotted with twinkling spotlights to replicate the night sky.

The bar at Zuma Dubai, which is packed every night of the week

Another entry to the World’s 50 Best Bars list, Zuma is the highest-ranked bar in the Middle East. While it may be more widely known around the world for its food, Zuma Dubai’s bar—which occupies the top floor of its DIFC venue—is a destination in itself. Any night of the week, you can expect this spot to be crowded. The restaurant’s Japanese roots inspire the cocktail