The secret side of the city’s nightlife is only a hidden door away.
Dubai nightlife may sparkle with rooftops and sky-high lounges, but the real uniqueness is tucked away behind velvet curtains, unmarked doors, and even refrigerator entrances (seriously). Speakeasies are where the city tone down the glitz and turns up the intrigue; intimate dens where you’re in on the best-kept secret in town.
So follow us through the city’s clandestine corners. Here’s our Insider guide to Dubai’s best speakeasies in 2025.
7 Tales
Tokyo meets Dubai, 44 floors up. This Japanese-inspired speakeasy channels 1960s Tokyo nightlife with neon glows, dice games for Negroni lovers, and a soundtrack by live DJs. Equal parts playful and sophisticated, it’s as if Shinjuku decided to relocate to Dubai Marina.
Location: Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai Marina. Timings: Mon–Sat, 8 PM – 1 AM. Contact: 04 402 2222.
Blind Tiger
Hidden in plain sight at Turtle Lagoon, this after-dark hideaway is equal parts mystery and indulgence. Come for the mixologist’s creations and late-night bites, stay for the terrace under the moonlight and the kind of DJ sets that stretch time.
Location: Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqeim 3. Timings: Daily, 5 PM – 2 AM. Contact: 800 323 232.
Bund Lounge
Slip behind the mirrored wall at Shanghai Me and you’ll find Bund Lounge, a moody, opulent enclave inspired by Shanghai’s clandestine golden age. It makes you think of elite gatherings, musical variety, and decadent design in DIFC’s chicest corner.
Location: Shanghai Me, Gate Village Building 11, DIFC. Timings: Thu–Sat, 12 AM – 3 AM. Contact: 052 593 6765.
Electric Pawn Shop
Part Chinatown, part downtown New York, Electric Pawn Shop is pure counter-culture energy. Expect vinyl beats, Asian street-food twists, dystopian interiors, and cocktails that taste like rebellion. It’s loud, proud, and never plays by the rules.
Location: The H Dubai, Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road. Timings: Sun–Thu, 12 PM – 1:30 AM; Fri–Sat, 12 PM – 3 AM. Contact: 050 586 5510.
Flashback Speakeasy
If Gatsby moved to Business Bay, he’d be here in rip-roaring style. This 1920s-themed den serves cocktails in vintage teacups, with Chesterfield sofas, smooth jazz, and even a secret room out back for rendezvous of the more private variety.
Location: Paramount Hotel Dubai, Business Bay. Timings: Daily, 7 PM – 2 AM. Contact: 055 180 7559.
Flying Elephant
Behind the Novotel’s doors lies an enchanting escape of handcrafted cocktails, global flavours, and a lush, theatrical design. With live DJ entertainment and a wink of cheeky charm, Flying Elephant is cute, quaint and full of secrets.
Location: Novotel Dubai Al Barsha, Sheikh Zayed Road. Timings: Daily, 5 PM – 1 AM. Contact: 054 996 3324.
Galaxy Bar
Ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars, Galaxy is a cosmic playground of deep-blue hues and starlit vibes that’s been a DIFC favourite for years. Exclusive, intimate, and achingly chic, it’s where the city’s night owls orbit until sunrise. The cocktails are suitably galactic too and out of this world.
Location: Gate Village, Building 9, DIFC. Timings: Thu–Sat, 9 PM – 4 AM; Tue–Wed, 8 PM – 3 AM. Contact: 050 513 5908.
Gohan
Hidden within La Cantine du Faubourg, this red-hued, lantern-lit nook delivers Japanese street food with luxe upgrades, expect foie gras and caviar alongside cocktails and intimate DJ beats.
Location: Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road. Timings: Mon–Thu, 12 PM – 2 AM; Fri, until 3 AM; Sat–Sun, 6 PM – 3 AM. Contact: 04 352 7105.
Himitsu
Behind a red velvet curtain at Dubai Opera Plaza lies Himitsu, a sultry, omakase-driven speakeasy where cocktails are as much a theatrical experience as they are drinks. It’s not just a bar; it’s an exploration.
Location: Behind Alba Restaurant, Opera Plaza, Downtown Dubai. Timings: Thu–Sun, 7 PM – 1 AM. Contact: 058 585 4273.
Honeycomb Hi-Fi
A listening bar disguised as a record shop, Honeycomb Hi-Fi caters to Dubai’s audiophiles. With vinyl walls, low lighting, and cocktails that sing as loud as the curated playlists, it’s pure rhythm and rebellion.
Location: Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay. Timings: Sun–Thu, 7:30 PM – 2 AM; Fri–Sat, until 3 AM. Contact: 04 412 6666.
Stëlla
Tucked away in the beating heart of Downtown, Stëlla isn’t just another bar, it’s Dubai’s special secret spot filled with sultry beats, a crowd that knows how to vibe, and cocktails so smooth they deserve their own encore. The menu is a mix of reimagined classics and jaw-dropping signatures, each one stirred, shaken, and served with a touch of stardust.
Location: Ground Floor, Address Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai. Timing: Daily, 9PM – 3AM. Contact: 054 505 0107.
Voyage by Amelia
Perched above the dazzling Amelia Lounge, Voyage by Amelia is accessible by a private elevator (very hush-hush), this upstairs hideaway is an intimate speakeasy-style escape wrapped in the glamour of the 1920s steampunk era. Expect plush velvet, vintage furniture that looks like retro luggage, and an atmosphere that bends time itself.
Timing: Thursday to Saturday, 11PM – 3AM. Location: Amelia Lounge, Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai. Contact: (04) 287 1369.
So next time you’re looking for a fun night out in the city, don’t just look up at the skyline, look closer. Behind that unmarked door might just be your new favourite night.
