Everything Happening at Media One Hotel This May (And Why You’ll Probably End Up There More Than Once)
There’s a certain type of Dubai spot that doesn’t need to try too hard.
Media One Hotel sits right in that space. It’s social without being chaotic, busy without feeling forced, and somehow always has something happening without shouting about it.
May is one of those months where it all lines up. Football finals, rooftop energy, long lunches, late dinners. The kind of calendar that quietly fills your weeks without you even planning it.
Here’s exactly what’s worth your time.
The Football Calendar That Takes Over Garden on 8
If you’re going to do football in Dubai, you want screens, sound, drinks and people actually watching the game. Garden on 8 gets that balance right.
And May is stacked.
The Bundesliga Final Day (16 May) sets the tone, with every match shown live across the rooftop. It’s the kind of day where everything is happening at once, and the atmosphere builds naturally as the results shift minute by minute. There’s also a proper German touch with pork knuckle and a pint for AED 99.
Then comes the Premier League Final Day (24 May), which is always chaos in the best way. Every goal matters, every table shift gets a reaction, and the whole terrace moves with the games. Add a Sunday Roast for AED 99 and it turns into a full afternoon rather than just a match.
Across the month, The Football Finish Line series runs from semi-finals through to the Champions League Final on 30 May. Think FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League all building into one continuous run of match nights. Happy Hour runs daily from 4pm to 8pm, and once the games kick in, beer buckets and towers take over.
If you follow football, you’ll likely end up here more than once.
FA Cup Final Brunch (This One Will Fill Fast)
This is one of those days where you don’t want to arrive late.
On 16 May, Garden on 8 turns the FA Cup Final into a full-day rooftop plan. It starts with brunch from 1pm to 5pm, three courses, sharing style, drinks flowing, and then rolls straight into the match at 7:30pm.
Packages start from AED 199, and there’s an extra hour of drinks included, which tells you everything about how the afternoon is expected to go.
It’s not just about the game. It’s the build-up, the energy, the long table moments before kick-off.
Stay past the final whistle and it naturally turns into a night.
The Big European Finals (Europa + Champions League)
The Europa League Final (20 May) and Champions League Final (30 May) are exactly what Garden on 8 is built for.
Late-night kick-offs, full terrace, big reactions to every goal. Drinks are simple and done properly. Buckets, towers, cold pints, nothing complicated.
The Champions League night in particular always carries a different weight. People stay longer, the energy holds, and the whole place feels locked into the game.0
Both are free entry, which makes it even easier to plan last minute.
Rugby Nights That Bring a Different Crowd
Football dominates the month, but rugby gets its moment too.
The EPCR Challenge Cup Final (22 May) and Investec Champions Cup Final (23 May) shift the energy slightly. Still busy, still social, but with a different kind of crowd and pace.
The 23rd pairs especially well with brunch leading into the match, so you can settle in early and stay through the game without moving.
There are also drink specials around brandy and Savanna cider, which gives it a slightly different feel to the football nights.
The Return of the Garden on 8 Summer Setup
From 1 June, the rooftop shifts into summer mode.
The tents go up, which in Dubai terms changes everything. Suddenly the space becomes usable earlier, stays comfortable longer, and keeps that open-air feel without the heat becoming too much.
It’s a small detail, but it’s what keeps Garden on 8 relevant through summer when other rooftops slow down.
Ciao Bella’s Business Lunch (For When You Want Something Easy But Still Good)
Not everything at Media One is about late nights.
Ciao Bella’s weekday business lunch is one of the more reliable mid-day options in the area. Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 3pm, AED 89 for starters and a main.
It’s simple, no overthinking, just proper Italian dishes done well. Add a glass of wine for AED 35 and it turns into something a bit more relaxed if you have the time.
It works whether you’re stepping out between meetings or just avoiding another desk lunch.
Supper Club at Ciao Bella (A More Considered Evening)
On 7 May, Ciao Bella hosts a Supper Club in collaboration with Dolce & Salato, bringing in guest chefs and a menu built around imported Italian ingredients.
This is less about speed and more about slowing things down.
Multiple courses, thoughtful dishes, proper wine pairings if you want them. It leans into that side of Italian dining where the table matters just as much as the food.
Starts from AED 199, or AED 280 with wine pairing.
Contact Details:
- Hotel Phone: +971 52144 7438
- Garden On 8 Email: gardenon8@mediaonehotel.com
- Garden On 8 IG: @gardenon8dbx
- Ciao Bella Email: ciaobella@mediaonehotel.com
- Ciao Bella IG: @ciaobelladxb
