37 Best Bars in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Set among the rose-color barjeels of Madinat Jumeirah with splendid views across the complex, Bahri Bar is a good spot to slip off your shoes and relax. Rich earth tones and gold hues give the space a sumptuous feel, especially in the soft lighting after dark. From the terrace you can watch the abras (boats) ply the canals and listen to the distant bustle of the souk while making the most of your private vantage point. The tapas-style menu is perfect for a light dinner or snack to accompany your drinks.

Barasti might be the old dame of bars and nightlife in Dubai, but it's still going strong. It's grown from a pub set on a large wooden jetty right on the water, through to a multilevel bar and club, with the largest live sports screen in the region, on-sand alfresco drinking spaces and plenty of room for international DJs and other live music. It shifts from a chilled-out venue to relax with a drink and shoot some pool, to dancing and general craziness depending on the evening. No matter the entertainment, the atmosphere is always easygoing and attracts all ages. Barasti also serves food and shisha.

There's an excellent choice of boutique beers on tap and in bottles, and similar to what you'd find in Belgium, each beer has a specific glass for serving. The café's style is straight from Belgium, too, with wooden tables set in small booths around a long bar studded with brass. Casual brasserie-style food is served, including the obligatory Belgian moules-frites. There are plenty of good happy hours and brunch deals available, making it a reasonably priced option for a drink, especially considering its water views and skyline panorama.

Opening in 2002, Boudoir was the first French lounge-styled club to open in Dubai (of course, without the Burlesque dancers). Think flocked wallpaper, chandeliers and gilded fretwork offset by glossy black furnishings. The champagne continues to flow freely here, just like it did at the Moulin Rouge in Paris's heyday. Lovers of Bollywood and Persian cinema flock to Boudoir, because it's known to have been a preferred venue for celebrities. You'll need to look the part, so dress to attract attention—plenty of bling, labels, and flesh.

Part of a chain casting its net around the world, where better to establish a presence than in hot Dubai? The terraces of Buddha Bar overlook the mouth of Dubai Marina and the comings and goings of the multimillion-dollar gin palaces (yachts or sailboats). Subdued lighting contrasts with flamboyant Asian sculpture and fiery red and golden hues. The large space is divided into varied zones, meaning there's room for a romantic tête-à-tête, or striking a pose for the public. After many years, Buddha Bar still attracts the über-cool and monied crowd.

This Arabesque nightclub is a huge hit with the local crowd, with a range of music that is both contemporary and decidedly Khaliji (Emirati). The large space is lined with leather booths and benches, and although there is a packed dance floor, most like to hole up at one of the VIP tables (which always have a minimum spend). The crowd is Arab and Eastern European in the main, well dressed, and ready to party.

From the moment you spot the suits of armor and red telephone box, you'll know where you are. Premier League soccer games are broadcast on the big screens and accompanied by pints from the U.K. There's a beer garden to soak up good weather and conversation. Later in the evening expect live music or DJs spinning their favorite tracks, often golden oldies designed to pump up a British expat crowd. Brunches and happy hours can make this a less expensive night out than many in the area, but don't expect it to be pretty; it's raucous, rustic, and rough.

A popular venue for a taste of the Emerald Isle, with an old-fashioned pint of Irish stout and a plate of stew and champ. Sports fans gather to watch their favorite tournaments and relax in the traditionally styled pub, with dark-wood interior and matching wainscoting. Outside is a large terrace where you can watch the ducks paddling across the pond to the manicured gardens. The Irish Village is known for its range of great classic live acts—UB40, Bob Geldof, and Madness have all performed recently.

The perfect place to get your tiki on while lapping up Dubai's tropical climate, Mahiki is a Polynesian-themed club, complete with all the fantasy interiors you might expect, and most of the drinks are served in novelty cups, treasure chests, and coconuts. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, the crowd outgoing and ready for anything, but you should still dress to impress. Music ranges in style depending on the night, but they are particularly good at retro tunes that will have you singing as well as dancing.