Dubai's cocktail scene operates at the high-end almost exclusively. Bars must be inside hotels (alcohol licensing rule), which has produced some of the most polished hotel-bar cocktailing on the planet. The 10 below cover DIFC, Downtown and Dubai Marina.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best cocktail bars in Dubai
01 · Dubai
DIFC
$$$
Speakeasy · Reservations
DIFC speakeasy. World's 50 Best Bars top-25 fixture. Galactic-theme menus, technically rigorous drinks.
Order: Whatever's on this year's award-winning menu
02 · Dubai
Downtown
$$$
Italian aperitivo · Modern
Italian aperitivo-themed bar in Downtown. Negroni-led program, exceptional vermouth list.
Order: A Negroni Bianco + Italian charcuterie
03 · Dubai
DIFC
$$$$
Restaurant bar · Glass-walled
The bar at Zuma — the cocktails are as good as the sushi.
Order: Sake-based concoction off the seasonal menu
04 · Dubai
Dubai Marina
$$$
Asian-themed · Pier 7
Asian-spirit-led cocktail bar at Pier 7. Sake, soju and shochu programs.
Order: A drink built around their reserve sake
05 · Dubai
JBR
$$
American-style cocktails
American-style cocktail bar in JBR. Long bar, late-night kitchen, classics-driven menu.
Order: An old fashioned at the long bar
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06 · Dubai
Shangri-La
$$$$
Cabaret · Late-night
Cabaret-themed cocktail bar at the Shangri-La. Theatrical drinks with live performance.
Order: A signature cocktail with the cabaret show
07 · Dubai
Trade Centre
$
Pub · 1996
Operating since 1996 at the Towers Rotana. The longest bar in the Middle East.
Order: A pint + a dart game
08 · Dubai
Grosvenor House
$$$
Marina view · DJ
On top of Grosvenor House. Buddha-Bar offshoot. Asian-leaning cocktail program.
Order: An Asian-spirit-led signature
09 · Dubai
DIFC
$$$
Brasserie · Classics
DIFC brasserie with one of Dubai's most polished classical cocktail programs. Long bar, white-jacketed bartenders.
Order: A perfect Manhattan
10 · Dubai
DIFC
$$$
Modern · Speakeasy
Hidden DIFC speakeasy. Reservations only. Modern Middle East-spirit-led cocktail program.
Order: A drink built around date or rose-water syrups
More Dubai cocktail barsThe full Dubai cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How Dubai's cocktail scene works
Galaxy Bar has appeared on the World's 50 Best top-25. Cin Cin delivers serious Italian aperitivo. The 10 above represent Dubai cocktailing at its peak. Most peak between 9 and 11 PM.
