The Best Airport Bars in Dubai (2026)

Dubai International is structurally a single-airline airport. Emirates operates the largest hub in the Middle East out of DXB Concourses A, B, and C, and the Emirates lounge system is the entire drinking story. Concourse A's First Class lounge is the largest airline lounge in the world by floor area — over 11,000 square metres, with a champagne bar, a cigar lounge, multiple restaurant-grade dining rooms, and direct boarding gates that mean you never see the public terminal again. Concourse A's Business lounge is one tier down and still excellent. Both are accessible only to Emirates premium-cabin passengers or oneworld Emerald (since the Qantas tie-up).

The public-side cocktail story at DXB is shorter than its lounge story. Le Clos near gate A24 is a serious wine boutique with a proper by-the-glass tasting room — Burgundy and Bordeaux pours by the small flight, decent Champagne. The Concourse C Marriott Hotel airside has the Le Méridien Lobby Lounge with full bar service. Most of the rest of the public-side options are airport-grade chain bars that pour Stella Artois at room temperature and call it a day.

The cheat code at DXB is the Dubai International Hotel — directly inside Terminal 3 (the Emirates terminal), accessible without leaving the airport. Cigar Lounge on level 4 has full cocktail service and the only post-security cigar bar in any Middle Eastern airport. If you've got 60 spare minutes pre-airport, the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira's bar Mimi Kakushi is 35 minutes by car (DXB has no metro link to most of the city) and one of the best cocktail rooms in the Gulf.

Where to Drink at the Airport

By terminal, ranked

Plays for Dubai Airport: post-security, pre-security, lounges, and the airport-hotel cheat code.

No. 01 · DXB Concourse A

Emirates First Class Lounge

DXB Concourse A airside · Emirates First Class / oneworld Emerald

The largest airline lounge on earth by floor area. Champagne bar, cigar lounge, multiple sit-down restaurant areas, direct boarding gates so you never see the public terminal again. Krug Grande Cuvée by the glass; the Dom Pérignon comes out for HON-equivalent guests. Emirates First or oneworld Emerald only.

No. 02 · DXB Gate A24

Le Clos Wine Bar

DXB Concourse A airside, near gate A24 · AED$$$

A serious wine retailer with a proper tasting room — small Burgundy and Bordeaux flights, decent Champagne pours, and a sommelier on staff who'll talk you through the by-the-glass options. The best public-side drink at DXB and one of the few airport wine bars in the world worth seeking out.

No. 03 · DXB Concourse B

Emirates Business Class Lounge

DXB Concourse B airside · Emirates Business / oneworld Sapphire

One tier down from First but still operationally excellent. Bartender-attended bar, broad spirits selection, real Champagne by the glass (the Veuve Clicquot, not the house pour), and the buffet is restaurant-grade. Emirates Business or oneworld Sapphire — the more accessible of DXB's premium lounges.

No. 04 · DXB T3

Cigar Lounge — Dubai International Hotel

Inside DXB Terminal 3, level 4 · AED$$$

A full cigar bar inside the airside hotel attached to the Emirates terminal. Walk-in welcome, properly stocked humidor, full cocktail service and a small whisky list. The only post-security cigar bar at any Middle Eastern airport. Five minutes from any T3 boarding gate.

If You Have 60 Spare Minutes