Dubai’s cocktail scene is on par with its culinary offerings, with unique, innovative and brand-spanking-new options enthralling guests and flourishing across the city.
Dubai’s status as a foodie city is indisputable, with its array of homegrown restaurants, innovative chefs, and global flavours making a mark on the world stage.
But what about its cocktail scene? Often overlooked, Dubai’s bar culture has been quietly thriving. The city is now home to a slew of specialist establishments crafting some seriously impressive drinks. From upscale elegance and all-out glamour to underground listening bars and sultry speakeasies, here are the best places to get incredible cocktails in Dubai, handpicked by your favourite editorial team of industry insiders.
Our Insider Top Pick
Paradiso Dubai, FIVE LUXE JBR
Voted one of The World’s 50 Best Bars, Paradiso Dubai is a literal paradise on its Level 9 location in the newly-opened FIVE LUXE beach resort. Expect exquisite cocktails in a unique surrealist setting, boasting chequered floors and hanging miniature hot air balloons with neon lights – consider a gothic circus movie produced by Tim Burton and you’ll be halfway to imagining the aptly named Paradiso.
The interiors are a step into pure fantasy where imagination runs wild.
The venue is the brainchild of Head Mixologist Giacomo Giannotti, a multiple award-winner. whose exceptional talent and vision for crafting exclusive cocktails are unmatched. The cocktail and dining spot also boasts panoramic views of the Palm Jumeirah and Arabian Gulf from its equally impressive outdoor terrace, and in addition to being ultra stylish and vibrant, Paradiso offers a creatively indulgent menu where every cocktail tells a unique story through its ingredients. There’s a delightful Spanish tapas-style menu to accompany your time quaffing premium beverages and snapping Insta-worthy pictures. Another feature we applaud is that Paradiso is the highest rated 5-Star Hotel Green Building powered 100% by solar energy, proving it entirely possible to combine world class gastronomy and aesthetics in an eco-harmonious space.
Innovative libations aplenty at the spot, located at the new FIVE LUXE JBR.
Cocktails to Try: Kryptonite (unless you’re from Krypton), the Mediterranean Treasure and The Cloud.
Paradiso, FIVE LUXE JBR, 9th Floor, The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence. Call +971 58 202 2110 or visit their Instagram or website for more information.
Worth a Mention…
MayaBay Bar, Jumeirah Al Naseem
Nestled in the heart of Dubai at the sumptuous Jumeirah Al Naseem in their Turtle Bay, MayaBay Bar blends Monaco’s sophistication with Asia’s exotic allure. Expect luxe interiors with traditional Asian influencers such as the depth of red, glittering chandeliers and an open kitchen providing an intimate and alluring atmosphere. What cements its absolute charm for cocktail hour is the Elementalism Cocktail Menu, celebrating the four natural elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, with each drink reflecting its respective element. Expect flavours like gin, apple and ginger for the Earth element, while Water features bubbles and citrus soda, Fire blends Rosewood smoke with chilli and sake, and Air hosts lemongrass, St. Germain elderflower liqueur and orange blossom. MayaBay’s excellent bartenders were trained by renowned mixologists like Stanislav Vadrna, providing entertainment and eye-catching aesthetics while your drinks are being made. The cocktails may be on the pricier side, but the creativity and flair around the flavours and presentation ensure they’re well worth the investment. There’s also a diverse dining menu including Japanese sushi, Thai curries, tempura, dim sum, salads, soups, specials, steak, sides and desserts.
The impressive bar with its Thai iconography and twinkling lights.
MayaBay Bar, Turtle Bay, Jumeirah Al Naseem. Call +971 4 275 2500 or visit their Instagram or website for more information.
Signor Sassi, St. Regis Gardens the Palm
Experience the charm of Signor Sassi’s Aperitivo on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with a selection of Italian classics and creative cocktails, including Aperol Spritz, Negroni Sbagliato, and signature drinks like Sassi Spritz and Pesto Fizz. Guests can sample two delicious beverages and a selection of elegant canapés for just AED 98. Set in the picturesque Il Giardino Bar and Lounge, evoking the beauty of Lake Como, this Aperitivo is perfect for unwinding with friends or as a pre-dinner treat. A waltz around the venue might make you feel like you’ve taken a step back in time in a magical Lake Como villa, with lashings of old world charm and botanic ambiance. It’s also a fantastic dining spot, with an impressively authentic Italian menu.
A lively Italian with a modern twist set amidst a botanical garden.
Signor Sassi, St. Regis Gardens the Palm, Palm Jumeirah. Call +971 4 278 4848 or visit their Instagram or website for more information or reservations.
And the rest…
Tamoka Dubai & Cana by Tamoka, Ritz-Carlton Dubai
From Tulum, San José, and Lima to the shores of Cartagena, Caracas, and Panama City, all the way to the Caribbean islands, the cultural influences of Tamoka are far and wide, ensuring a culinary journey sweeping guests across the awe-inspiring Antillean seas. This playful beachside spot in JBR brings Latin America to life, with classics such as the Pisco Sour or Caipirinha, as well as more unique beverages Al Diablo or the Tamokan Daiquiri. Drinks here also start at around AED 300 with a dedicated cocktail hour from 4pm-7pm.
Idyllic beachfront cocktails and people-watching in the heart of vibrant JBR.
Visit their website for more information or reservations.
Gilt Dubai, Burj Al Arab
Sipping a cocktail here gets you a chance to see inside one of the world’s most exciting seven-star hotels, the Burj Al Arab. Gilt is suitably named, as a gold-dipped sky bar on the 27th floor, with crystal fairy lights and gold motif wallpaper guaranteeing a dramatically lavish experience from start to finish. Head mixologist Thibault Méquignon has crafted a refined menu playing with smoky, bitter, and sweet flavours, so you can take a seat at the bar to watch the masters at work, or opt for a plush sapphire velvet booth which you might want for more privacy, as this venue oozes date-worthy appeal. A live DJ provides additional ambiance from his foliage-covered booth.
Gilt by name, gilt by nature.
Visit their website for more information or reservations.
Galaxy Bar, DIFC
A long time favourite for Dubai drinkers and diners, Galaxy is tucked away in an unassuming corner of DIFC’s Gate Village near LPM Dubai, and inside boats intergalactic vibes with a twinkling night sky as the ceiling watching over the cosy and intimate space, boasting just a handful of tables. The starry lighting doesn’t provide much light, but staff are on-hand to shine a light over your cocktail menus so you get the right drink of choice. The cocktails continue the galactic themes, with names such as Rocket Man boasting a comet-tail of thunder and fire, Andromeda is a hidden beauty of the night sky, and Pillar of Heaven references the stars being held up with Herculean strength. A trip here is an otherworldly adventure.
Night sky constellations and heavenly vibes at this intimate cocktail spot.
Visit their website for more information or reservations.
Zuma Dubai, DIFC
Always included in World’s Best Bars listings, and the highest ranked in the Middle East, Zuma is often referenced for its Japanese cuisine – but we love it for its premium spot in the heart of DIFC and one of the hottest spots for cocktails seven nights a week. The cocktail menu, naturally inspired by Japan, features an unrivalled selection of specialist spirits, with the signature Zuma Heritage drinks, and many variations of sake and shochu, but they also boast excellent daiquiris. If this isn’t to your liking however, the talented mixologists are always happy to whip up a different beverage at your request. Zuma is a lively sophisticated spot perfect for post-work drinks with Dubai’s glitterati always dancing in attendance.
Zuma is a sprawling venue across several floors, with a bar area guaranteed to be packed out on the weekends.
Visit their website for more information or reservations.
Salmon Guru, The Opus by Omniyat
Salmon Guru is the wild child of Dubai’s cocktail scene, bursting with neon lights and eccentric presentations. Originating from Madrid and crafted by the genius Diego Cabrera, this bar landed in Dubai in 2022 and quickly made waves, the rebellious nature being the inspiration for the name as – like salmon – they intend to swim against the current. Tucked away in a colourful corner on the ground floor of The Opus by Omniyat in Business Bay, Salmon Guru offers a whimsical menu categorised by flavours—think sweet, strong, refreshing, fruity, and sour. You can even get a smoking cocktail in a 2-feet-tall ornate Chinese ceramic dragon.
Vibes at Salmon Guru are loud and rebellious with cocktails to match.
Visit their Instagram for more information or reservations.
Suave, The Opus by Omniyat
Channelling the vibes of the swinging sixties, Suave is located at the top of a spiral staircase just off Basko, the Mediterranean restaurant below. The walls are adorned with over 200 vibrant, glass-encased vinyl records, setting the stage for a dynamic soundtrack that shifts from funk to disco to jazz. Designed by Barcelona-based Lazaro Rosa Violan, the decor boasts retro charm with red suede seating, tassel-lined ceilings, and intricate mother-of-pearl chandeliers. What stands out about Suave however, is that instead of a traditional menu, the on-site bar team are ready to put creativity to the test by making custom cocktails for guests that are full of surprises.
Plush interiors and intimate seating, plus total unique creative cocktails.
Visit their Instagram for more information or reservations.
Blind Tiger, Jumeirah Al Naseem
Blind Tiger is part of the elite roster at Jumeirah Al Naseem’s Turtle Lagoon, not far from our other choice cocktail spot MayaBay. Quietly luxurious with a chic jungle theme, the elevated interiors denote class at every turn, with the tiger motif for which its named pounces on every part of the decor, from cushions to floor tiles. Despite being somewhat moody – accentuating the refined gentleman’s club feel – it remains charming due to its subtle lighting and friendly bartenders, always happy to whip one of their eccentric cocktails, accompanied by a backdrop of smooth jazz music. We suggest the Bay Tey Tai, an infusion of rum, coconut sugar, pineapple and almond, which is reminiscent of a Pina Colada. If you’re not drinking there are only two mocktail choices, the Ooba and the Mandarin, and there’s also a small but excellent menu of bar bites and nibbles.
Glamorous speak-easy venue Blind Tiger serves up fierce cocktails.
Visit their website for more information or reservations.
7 Tales, Grosvenor House Dubai
Inspired by the Golden Age of 1960s Japan, 7 Tales is a new Asian speakeasy bar created by celebrity Chef Jason Atherton, where the drinks are as awe-inspiring as the 44th-floor views. With lashings of vintage charm, the drinks menu features Japanese spirits including sake, whiskey and gin, and there’s a bar-bites menu so you can nibble while you watch the Dubai Marin glittering skyline. The space dazzles with a custom graffiti wall and ceiling by artist Gary Yong, and features a unique negroni table with a playful twist – order a drink and get a roll of two die on the custom table, and you’ll get another drink on the house if the numbers on both die are the same. Seems totally worth the gamble.
A cosy spot with space for only 40 guests, so get there early to get the best seats.
Visit their website for more information or reservations.
