Dubai’s skyline is one to be admired, and where better way to do so than from a rooftop bar? Here are the 11 most stylish rooftop bars in Dubai with outdoor seating to celebrate the start of the winter season.
Amazonico
The view: The striking Emirates Towers and sparkling DIFC
For views of the city’s cosmopolitan DIFC neighbourhood and chic, jungly vibes, head to Amazonico, a favourite with Dubai’s jet-set crowd known for its lively late-night parties and delicious Latin American-inspired cocktails. The reimagined Paraíso Rooftop Club is a hub for entertainment, with a planned line-up of acts including Belgian music producer and DJ, HVMZA, J. Pool and German DJ, singer, and songwriter Jane Ryse. There’s a living plant wall, slick central bar, cocktail stations and a menu of sharing bites like crispy plantain, tuna tartare, oysters.
Gate Village, DIFC; open daily 6pm to 3am; amazonico.ae
Folly
The view: Madinat Jumeirah, Arabian Gulf, Burj Al Arab
Folly has carved a name for itself as one of Dubai’s best restaurants, landing a coveted spot on The World’s 50 Best Discovery List and featuring in the Dubai Michelin Guide, but its rooftop bar is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Spread across two terraces, the stunning, all-encompassing views stretch across the serene waterways of the Madinat Jumeirah and out to the ocean and include a close-up of the iconic sail of the Burj Al Arab. The rooftop makes the perfect spot for a pre-dinner aperitif with nibbles or sundowner, whetting the appetite for Gordon Ramsay alumni Nick Alvis and Scott Price’s experimental cuisine on the floor below.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah; folly.ae
Monkey Bar Dubai
The view: The Museum of the Future and twinkling buildings of DIFC
Located on the rooftop of the trendy 25hours Hotel One Central, Monkey Bar came to the city by way of Cologne and Berlin (one of the most popular spots in the cities) and is now one of the best rooftop bars in Dubai. The jungle-covered, Latin-American-style bar comprises a stunning outdoor terrace with Museum of the Future and Burj Khalifa views and a sultry indoor spot with cosy booths. Guests can sit in private cabana-like ‘monkey cages’, hidden amongst the tropical greenery, and sip on cocktails straight from Europe’s best bars (try the Champagne Pina Colada). The bar is a hit with the city’s cool crowd, largely in part to its legendary residence with Beirut-based DJ and entertainment group, Factory People every Friday- Hot Mess.
25hour Hotel Dubai One Central, One Central; open daily 5 pm to 2 am (3 am on Fridays and Saturdays); monkeybardubai.com
Mercury Lounge
The view: The Downtown Dubai skyline to one side and the ocean to the other
Mercury Lounge is one of the most panoramic Dubai rooftop bars, thanks to its ability to offer guests vibrant city views on one side, and soothing ocean views on the other. Located at the palatial Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, the Sicilian-themed space is a beautiful spot to enjoy the sunset, with a menu of Italian bites, creative cocktails and nights with DJ sets and live music, alongside distinctly elevated and grown-up vibe.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach; open daily 6 pm to 3 am; fourseasons.com
CÉ LA VI
The view: A close-up of the iconic Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai
Looking for views of the most iconic building in Dubai? Head to the 54th floor of Address Sky View to bar, restaurant and lounge, CÉ LA VI. The Singapore-born hotspot is wildly popular for drinks, dinner and brunch, thanks to its panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, and is a popular date night spot thanks to its Eastern-inspired red and black interiors and smart dress code. The bar itself is located inside the restaurant but right next to open floor-to-ceiling windows so drinkers can make the most of its famous views.
Address Sky View; open daily 12 pm to 3 am; celavi.com
Ongaku
The view: The city skyline
DIFC’s popular Japanese restaurant Clap is also home to a Tokyo-inspired cocktail bar – a colourful, sultry space with red neon lights, funky house music and a totally different vibe to the main restaurant. Translating to ‘music’ in Japanese, Ongaku is hidden behind a heavy door accessed from the corner of Clap’s main dining room, and draws a discerning, nightlife-loving crowd most nights of the week thanks to great drinks menu and spacious outdoor terrace – the biggest in DIFC. Come for the feeling of an underground speakeasy, but on an elegant Dubai rooftop.
CLAP, Gate Village 11, DIFC; open 8 pm to 2 am (closed Sundays and Mondays); claprestaurant.com
Tiki’s Rooftop
The view: The JLT skyline
Found atop the popular JLT restaurant Canary Club – the baby of The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill’s Joey Ghazal – Tiki’s Rooftop is an elegant new sundowner spot in Uptown Dubai. The bar has a summery Tahitian theme, peppered with lush foliage and beachy touches like rattan lights and a long bar with a thatched roof. Cocktails are quintessentially tiki with playful names like the Panama Cooler and Skull & Bone (think lots of fruity flavours like pineapple and coconut) and a mirrored backsplash behind the bar, giant disco ball and DJ booth create a party atmosphere.
Canary Club, JLT; open daily 12 pm to 1 am (Fridays and Saturdays to 2 am); canaryclub.com
Luna Sky Bar
The view: DIFC and the Burj Khalifa
Luna Sky Bar, located on the rooftop of the swish Four Seasons DIFC, is the perfect spot for a post-work or late-night drink – right in the thick of the financial district and surrounded by eye-catching high rises. The space itself is incredibly elegant, designed by acclaimed New York-based designer Adam Tihany with yellow umbrellas, plenty of greenery and with beautiful skyline views. Sit on comfortable lounge seating as you sip on classics with a twist like a smoked whisky Negroni and enjoy a selection of international small plates. The bar also runs a great happy hour between 5 pm and 8 pm, Monday to Friday.
Four Seasons DIFC; open daily 5 pm to 3 am, fourseasons.com
Zeta Seventy Seven
The view: Arabian Sea, Bluewaters Island, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa on a clear day
One of the highest rooftop bars in Dubai is Zeta Seventy Seven, located on the 77th floor of the luxurious Address Beach Resort in Dubai’s JBR neighbourhood. While the adjacent pool (the world’s tallest infinity pool) and terrace is only open to hotel guests, Zeta Seventu Seven is accessed simply with a reservation and offers the same breathtaking views across JBR, Bluewaters Island, Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf (and even Downtown Dubai on a clear day). The bar and restaurant has an Asian fusion menu with a great selection of cocktails and beverages and is currently running a Monday night offer of unlimited house beverages and a snack platter for AED 377 for ladies and AED477 for gentlemen. This is undeniably one of the most striking and memorable rooftop bars in Dubai, if not the entire world.
Address Beach Resort, JBR; open daily from 12 pm to 2 am; addresshotels.com (reservations required and minimum spend applies).
CouCou Dubai
The view: The whole of the Palm Jumeirah
One of the newest rooftop bars in Dubai is CouCou, offering a view of the city’s most famous, and affluent, neighbourhood – Palm Jumeirah. Located at the top of Palm Tower – smack bang in the middle of the Palm’s trunk – the 52nd-storey bar offers views across the manmade island to the Arabian Gulf, taking in iconic Dubai sites like Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. There’s an elegant indoor marble bar and dining room filled with plush booths and an outdoor shisha area – protected from the elements by high glass walls.
The View, Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah; open daily 9 pm to 2 am; @coucourooftop
Atelier M
The view: Dubai Marina with its constant flow of pretty yachts
Atelier M is one of Dubai Marina’s best-kept secrets, located at the popular Pier 7 hub, but one of the least flashy of the venue’s seven restaurants and bars. Occupying the top three floors (a restaurant, lounge and bar), the bar takes the top spot – quite literally – and offers views across the yacht-filled marina and the twinkling high rises. The Art Deco-inspired lounge has plush indoor and outdoor seating with a menu of creative and classic cocktails, snacks and shisha, and there’s a more grown-up, polished vibe than the outlets below.
Pier 7, Dubai Marina; open daily 6 pm (2 pm on Saturdays) to 2 am (to 2:30 am Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) atelierm.ae
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