Nightlife info

One of Dubai’s claims to fame is its vibrant night life; Dubai has much to offer in terms of late night entertainment and the emirate regularly hosts some of the most popular club nights and DJs from around the globe. There are many bars and nightclubs in Dubai, though most of these are located in hotels. The crowd varies from club to club but mostly consists of a mix of party-goers of both Eastern and Western origin. Most clubs are packed on Thursday and Friday nights (except the most popular haunts to have long waiting lines) as of Thursday signals the end of the workweek and Fridays and Saturdays are weekends for most working people in Dubai. Many popular hotspots host a ladies club night on Tuesday where ladies can enter for free and are sometimes even offered free drinks. Previously, most clubs allowed free entry, but in recent years with the explosion of the nightlife scene in Dubai, club enthusiasts can expect to pay a cover charge of up to AED200.

Although party wear is frowned upon in malls and other public places in Dubai, short skirts, short dresses and micro minis are normal clubbing attire in the swankier clubs around town. In fact, many of the more exclusive clubs hire bouncers who are directed to discreetly let in the best-dressed people. Most clubs will not allow entry to those dressed casually in jeans, shorts or flip-flops. The legal drinking age in Dubai is 21 years of age and night clubs often adhere to this rule very strictly. For visitors, a passport is an acceptable form of ID, while for residents, an Emirates ID or a driving license will suffice. Some clubs will only allow entry to those aged 25 years and above, so it is advisable to check before you plan a night out. If you plan on drinking, make sure you take a cab back home or wherever you plan on going after; the UAE has absolutely no tolerance for drinking and driving and police are very vigilant; getting caught will guarantee jail time. Clubs typically start filling up after 10 p.m. and all night clubs close by 3:00 a.m. although bars close earlier around 1:00 a.m.

Whether you’re looking to dress up for a night on the town or want to party without the hassles of dressing up, there are plenty of party spots to pick from.