Dubai’s beach clubs have got it all, whether you’re after the high-octane glamour of the French Riviera or Ibiza, the laid-back, boho-chic spots of Bali and the Italian Riviera or the vibrant, party paradises of Beirut or Mykonos. Here are the 16 best beach clubs in Dubai to visit this season, for every sun-seeker.
Twiggy by La Cantine
Location: Dubai Creek Resort, Port Said
Twiggy by La Cantine, or just Twiggy as it’s known, is the supermodel of beach clubs. In fact, it doesn’t get much chicer than this. As the debut beach club of Rikas Hospitality Group, the French-owned group behind La Cantine du Faubourg, Twiggy opened in early 2021 on the peaceful grounds of Park Hyatt Dubai in the Dubai Creek Resort comprising a sandy lagoon, infinity pool and mezzanine restaurant. Guests are swept into a world of Riviera Rêverie when entering through the stylish boutique (selling Riviera brands like Second Summer) to the lagoon, where cabanas and sun loungers frame a 100-metre infinity pool which turns effortlessly from a sandy base to tile. Food can be ordered from the loungers or enjoyed in the upstairs, al fresco restaurant (covered in summer), where there’s a French Riviera-meets-Greek Islands menu of rosé magnums and fresh seafood. Rikas’ team of world-class resident DJS ensure a perfect vibe which picks up on afternoons and weekends and bathrooms have Dyson hairdryers and are stocked with premium toiletries.
From AED 200 weekdays and AED 250 weekends, VIP cabanas from AED 1,000; 9am to sunset; twiggy.ae
Nammos Dubai
Location: Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Ask any of Dubai’s jet-set where they spend their Friday nights and weekend, and they’ll most likely say Nammos. The slick beach club and restaurant (and soon-to-be hotel brand) hails from the party paradise of Mykonos and has bedded down in Dubai at the stylish Four Seasons Restaurant Village overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The beach club transports you to the Cyclades thanks to its white sand beach peppered with loungers and blue and white striped umbrellas while the restaurant has an impressive wine list and serves modern Greek and Myconian cuisine. Regular pop-ups from super-brands like Dior have cemented Nammos as one of Dubai’s most luxurious beach clubs. Come for the views and food and stay for the vibe – which carries on long into the night with DJs and live music.
From AED 150 weekdays and AED 250 weekends; 11am to 8pm; nammos.com/dubai
Kyma Beach
Location: Palm West Beach
Twiggy By La Cantine redefined beach clubs in Dubai, so it was only right Rikas opened a second. As the sister to the French-Mediterranean-inspired venue, Kyma transports its guests to the pine-covered peninsulas of the Athens Riviera – located on the buzzing shores of Palm Jumeirah’s West Beach development and also home to a beach club and restaurant. Kyma stands out from the other clubs on the strip – the sand is whiter, the pool more sparkly, the vibe more elevated – partly in fact as the club was created in collaboration with St. Regis The Palm Dubai, so expect an older, sophisticated crowd. A swimming pool leads onto a golden beach and sunloungers and cabanas are available to rent. Order a Kyma Spritz and assorted Greek dips to the bed for a light snack, or head to the shaded boho-chic outdoor restaurant for magnums of crisp Assyrtiko and a Greek Island-inspired menu of fresh seafood, Greek salad and plenty more. Rikas’ signature DJs are ever-present creating that inimitable vibe they’ve come to be known for across the city.
From AED 200 weekdays and AED 250 weekends; 10am to sunset; kymabeach.ae
Nikki Beach Dubai
Location: Pearl Jumeira
The OG beach club party paradise, Nikki Beach’s Dubai outpost is the perfect personification of the hedonistic brand and one of the best beach clubs in Dubai. Those familiar with the brand – and its outposts in Ibiza, Santorini and Marbella, to name a few – will recognise the same retro-futuristic white design, the sunken loungers, large, shallow pale blue party pool encircles by loungers and cabanas with billowing white drapes. That, and the magnums of rose that are perennially dolled out, the sounds of the DJS, live music and an elevated party vibe. The beach club’s location on the still-in-development manmade Pearl Jumeira island means it’s a little of the way, but well worth it for the signature, energetic and fabulous Nikki Beach vibe and endless, unobstructed views of the Arabian Gulf and white sand beach. The beach club also hosts a lively Sunday brunch with all-inclusive drinks and food packages, ensuring a non–stop weekend party.
Open Tuesday to Sunday; from AED 150 on weekdays (with AED 100 redeemable on f&b), from AED 300 on weekends (AED 250 redeemable on f&b); dubai-bc.nikkibeach.com
Tagomago
Location: Azure Residence, Palm Jumeirah
The latest beachside hangout from stylish Rikas Group, Tagomago has opened on Palm Jumeirah, and it’s just as stunning as its sisters, Twiggy by La Cantine and Kyma Beach. This time, the journey takes guests to the golden shores of Ibiza and the Balearic Islands, with a colourful Spanish theme, 120 sunbeds and a menu of delightful Spanish cuisine. This space – all hot pink and sunset orange – occupies what used to be the beloved Italian restaurant Il Faro on Palm Jumeirah and has big plans for the lines of a house yacht and swimming pool built into the sea and framed by rocks. After a day lounging on the sands and dipping in the warm, protected, square of sea, retreat to the breezy tapas bar and restaurant (open until 1 am) for crisp glasses of Spanish white and sangria best paired with salty padron peppers, Manchego cheese boards, paella, twists on patatas bravas, croquettes and other hearty Iberian dishes.
AED200 weekdays, AED250 weekends (both AED100 redeemable on f&b), @tagomagodubai/, tagomago.ae
Nobu by the Beach
Location: Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
Atlantis The Royal is not short on shiny superlatives, so it’s only right it plays host to the world’s first-ever Nobu beach club. Known across the world for their A-list packed Japanese restaurants – helmed by iconic Chef Nobu Matsuhisa – the debut beach club is as refined and elegant as expected. Centred around a shimmering azure pool in the shadows of the cantilevered hotel, the beach club comprises modern sunloungers and cabanas, echoing the hotel’s streamlined, minimalist and modern design. There’s an indoor dining room serving Nobu classics, a beachfront outdoor terrace and a cocktail bar extending into the sea. Alongside sunloungers, open-air cabanas, daybeds, air-conditioned cabanas and private pool cabanas can also be booked to embrace the luxurious marriage of Nobu and Atlantis The Royal.
AED250 Monday to Thursday, AED300 Friday to Sunday (non redeemable); @nobubythebeach, atlantis.com
Nobu by the Beach, Atlantis The Royal, 9am to 7pm pool, 11.30am to 7pm restaurant. @nobubythebeach
The Byron Bathers Club
Location: Shoreline Apartments, Palm Jumeirah
Palm West Beach gets all the attention thanks to its glitzy beach clubs and big-name hotels like FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Fairmont Dubai The Palm and Hilton, plus its stunning Marina and JBR views, but across the trunk lies another stretch of sand with arguably better views. Byron Bathers Club is a beach club, bar, restaurant, emulating the feeling of an Australian bathers or leisure club with its laid-back family vibe, terrace and beachfront. Entering via a discrete door on Shoreline apartments, guests head downstairs to meet a boho white-and-blue indoor-outdoor restaurant area typical of a beach shack and terrace with tables, plus a beach bar and swimming pool. Guests look onto Palm fronds, a leafy green private island and have both the Burj Al Arab, and on a clear day Downtown Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa in view.
@byronbathersclub; eatx.com
Drift Beach Club
Location: One&Only Royal Mirage, Mina Seyahi
One&Only Royal Mirage is one of the city’s most luxurious and elegant resorts, and its beach club, Drift, certainly matches up. Located in southern Dubai near Dubai Marina and overlooking the Palm Jumeirah, Drift Beach Club is one of the city’s favourite spots thanks to its serene setting and great deals like ladies’ days. Guests are whisked from the palm-shaded car park by golf buggy to the entrance, where they access the space via a long pool-line walkway. The pool itself sits in the shadows of Marina towers, has striking design touches and there are plenty of loungers around but also on the manicured gardens and one-kilometre private beach – where full access is included in the bed fee. Drift is operated by Sunset Hospitality group (the group behind Mott 32, La Amo Bistro del Mare and Isola Ristorante), so expect a millennial and cool, yet monied and sophisticated crowd. Access to Drift also includes use of the hotel’s long stretch of golden beach.
AED 150 weekdays, AED 200 weekends; driftbeachdubai.com
SĀN Beach
Location: The Club, Palm West Beach
Boho beach club SĀN opened its doors in 2021 and quickly became one of Dubai’s most sought-after beach clubs. Part of the large new development of restaurants and beach clubs at the top end of Palm West Beach, known as ‘The Club’, San is a soothing spot of sepia-toned plaster, textured furnishings and wicker lampshades, spilling out onto a white-sand private beach and pool area. Designed to transport you to Ibiza, the beach club has cosy daybeds, loungers and offers pool days where guests can order Dubai favourites like truffle pizza, sushi, sashimi and spritzes to their beds. Rumour has it the sand is imported from Maldives and there’s a submerged marble pool bar for added wow factor. Unlike most of Dubai’s swish beach clubs, the restaurant and pool menu are both the same, so you can order in between dips in the infinity pool or potter to the open-plan all-day dining room open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Open daily; from AED 200 weekdays, AED 250 weekends; sanbeachdubai.com
Summersalt
Location: Madinat Jumeirah
If views are important in your beach club experience, then you can’t do much better than Summersalt beach club, one of the closest places you can get to the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. The beach club is located on the beachfront of Jumeirah Al Naseem, one of Dubai’s most luxurious hotels, and is the perfect spot for morning relaxation, enjoying a leisurely lunch or getting into the afternoon party vibe with its resident DJs. Light dishes like tempura, lobster rolls, and seaweed salads are available to order on the beach itself, while the adjoining restaurant serves Peruvian-Japanese cuisine, known as Nikkei. Summersalt is relatively small compared to Dubai beach clubs and has a relaxed and sophisticated vibe, so make sure to book ahead.
Open daily from 9am to 7pm; jumeirah.com
White Beach
Location: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
White Beach is one of Atlantis The Palm’s most prized gems, a stretch of golden beach with two huge swimming pools and a chic outdoor restaurant, all in the shadows of the iconic hotel. The views from White are some of the most impressive in the city – located at the top of the Palm Jumeirah and looking back over the manmade island, Dubai Marina and JBR skyline, so there’s lots to take in. The dreamy swimming pools have plenty of sunbeds for lounging and the open-air terrace is great for cocktails and long lunches. The beach club regularly hosts big live music acts, with the Chainsmokers and Ibiza duo Mambo Brothers.
AED 150 weekdays, AED 300 weekends, fully redeemable; atlantis.com/dubai
Cove Beach
Location: Caesars Palace, Bluewaters Island
Cove Beach is more of a mini beach resort in itself. The beach club feels a world away from the city thanks to its location on Bluewaters Island and position looking out to sea, not taking in any of the city’s skyline. As a result, the experience transports you to what feels like a private or tropical island. Part of the Caesar’s Palace resort complex, the palm-strew beach club comprises three swimming pools, a rose lounge – serving signature Cove Beach Provence Rosé – and restaurants, all with a chic, laid-back Mediterranean vibe. Cove is a favourite with high-profile visitors to Dubai including celebrities and athletes who return time and time again thanks to its tucked away location and beautiful Arabian Gulf views, while travellers and locals return for its line-up of curate events and deals: Monday Industry night, Tuesday sundowner day and Rose all day on Wednesdays.
Open daily; from AED 200 weekdays (AED 100 redeemable on f&b); AED 300 weekends (AED 150 redeemable); covebeach.com
Playa
Location: The Club, Palm West Beach
Also part of The Club development, Playa offers the same private beach, infinity pool experience with sun loungers and a restaurant. While the setting may be similar, the menu and theme are definitely their own, taking guests on what is described as a ‘deep Peruvian journey’. This journey is created through Peruvian cuisine – so except ceviche, sizzling grilled meats and seafood and pisco sours – and mellow shamanic beats from live music and DJ sets (often going on until 2 am). Outside is boho-chic with cream loungers and rope-tasselled umbrellas.
Open daily; from AED 200 (weekdays), AED 250 (weekends); playadxb.com
Eva Beach House
Location: The Club, Palm West Beach
Boho-chic Eva Beach House is one of the most popular beach clubs in Dubai, with a great buzz both on weekends and weekdays. Inspired by the spirit of Tulum, the brilliant white and cream hangout comprises a strip of sandy beach, plenty of loungers, a cool, large swimming pool and waterfront eatery with both indoor and outdoor seating. Perfect for cooling off this summer, the indoor restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows and is bathed in natural light and has natural and rattan design touches. The menu has poolside classics like pizzas, homemade pasta, with a touch of Dubai glitz thrown in, like cheese & truffle gyozas and sushi.
AED200 Monday-Thursday, AED300 Friday-Sunday, both fully redeemable on f&b; call 04 458 1856 or WhatsApp +971 50 978 8703; evabeachhousedubai.com
New beach club neighbourhood: J1 Beach, La Mer
Coming soon: Gigi Rigolatto
Popular with pretty young things and well-to-do-travellers, St Tropez’s famous Gigi Rigolatto will be opening in Dubai in January 2024. The iconic concept from Paris Society International will come to the region for the very first time, opening on the sands of the upcoming J1 Beach development – what was previously La Mer. The beautiful space will be inspired by lazy, hazy days in the French Riviera hotspot and encompass an Italian menu, two terraces, indoor restaurant, garden, Bellini bar, and, unique for the usual Dubai beach club offering, a kids’ ‘circus’ and wellness area.
J1 Beach, La Mer, opening January 2024
Bâoli
Another import from the South of France is set to open at J1 Beach – creating a little enclave of the Cote d’Azur in Dubai. This time hailing from Cannes, Bâoli Beach will open its doors at the new development later this year – a concept known for its modern Japanese cuisine and VIP guest list. The space will be inspired by India’s beautiful baolis (reservoirs) and offer a unique experience in the Emirate.
J1 Beach, La Mer, opening late 2023.
