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6 Cocktails You Must Try in Dubai

When it comes to happening party scenes and out-of-this-world experiences, Dubai does not stand back and watch, it is a game changer! Swanky nightlife in Dubai promises only few things - good times, great music and the ultimate blend of cocktails that sizzle your senses and tease your tongue for more!

For all those who take their drinks quite seriously, we have the top six drinks that we think stand apart from the rest! Check out these venues and their special drinks.

1. Luxurious Scottish Drink

Only the indulgent can splurge on the 55 year old Scottish beverage at SkyView Bar. It comes complete with sparkling ice cubes made from the water near Scotland, served in a 18 carat tumbler all for about $7,440!

There is something about being in one of the fanciest night clubs, perched on the world's most famous and expensive hotels – Burj Al Arab - that makes this experience worthwhile. This iconic building stands in par with the Empire State Building and Eiffel Tower, and one of the first 7-star hotels in the world. Although this is a posh and sophisticated place and can be quite heavy on the pocket, the view of the Dubai Skyline and the nightlife experience is unparalleled.

2. Fine Tipple

Fine Tipple is an exquisite cocktail of sherry, grapefruit & orange sherbet, maraschino and champagne at R Trader.  Dirty Weekend and Belladonana are all vodka-based cocktails which you can try.  Also, don't forget the Not-so-Colada.

Who said rules are no fun? R Trader just proves otherwise. With a quirky set of rules that is bound to catch your attention, it has unique standards of a bar:

  • Gentlemen will not introduce themselves to the ladies.
  • Ladies are free to talk to any men. If any man does approach you, ladies can feel free to lift their chin up and ignore!

Oh, so neo-noir! 

3. Blueberry and Ginger Sour (The Johnny Depp Favourite) 

Go nuts on the all of the blackberry infused cocktails from Buddha Bar, including fresh fruit and ice. If you want something fancier, go for a classic Blueberry and Ginger sour which is allegedly the favorite of Hollywood hunk Johnny Depp.  He drinks it every time he steps in this swanky venue when he is in Dubai.

With a peaceful yet classy ambiance, Buddha Bar has set very high standards among fine dining and bars in Dubai. With a very Asiatic and sophisticated decor, this brand originated in Paris in 1996. With a great fine dining experience during the day, it ramps up its appeal in the evening.  Always look for the best international DJs when you're here.  

4. Hendricks Lemonade

At Play Restaurant and Lounge, Hendricks Lemonade for two is served in a teapot with gin. 

Play features many different cocktails for cooling your senses. While this concept restaurant is fairly new, it has already grabbed eyeballs and has many salivating at the spectacular food. It has gained slow but massive popularity among everyone looking for a good time, good food and more importantly, looking for a more revolutionary take on the food scene in Dubai. They surely do know how to do it right!

5. Not so Colada

Try the signature Not So Colada from Little Black Door.  It's a homemade banana & lemongrass-blended rum with coconut water,  pineapple juice and eucalyptus. The drinks are very innovatively classified into "The Rockstar," "The intellectual," and "The Traveller et al."

If you are looking for a mysterious yet elegant night out and ready to step into a different world, Little Black Door is a must on your list. With Edison styled lamps, expansive copper bar, Corset backed club chairs, the decor goes back in time with a very vintage feel. 

6. Zombie Horde

At Mahiki, the signature cocktail, Pompero, contains a hint of vanilla shaken with pear and strawberry puree, lemon, sugar and Creme de Fraise. If you are in a mood for a little more intense flavor, try the Zombie – their twist on Don the Beachcomber’s original recipe. A blend of white, gold and over proof rums shaken with maraschino, fresh grapefruit, exotic syrups and Absinthe.

If you want to let your hair down and have some fun in the sun then this tropical themed resort is your best bet! Located on the beautiful Jumeriah beach, it's open all day with an upbeat decor that will not let you down. This paradise in the heart of the city promises to serve you fresh and fruity cocktails, along with great food and music which transports your senses to Polynesia. With a more Tiki decor, it looks unlike anything you have seen!

There is a lot more to experience in the vast expanse of this desert city. In Dubai, a lot of high-end nightclubs always innovate and bring something amazing onto the scene. So don’t be surprised if you have something new to rave about! Be sure to tell them we sent you!

- Rashmi Rao

Why I Liked Abu Dhabi Better Than Dubai

Like everyone (and their mothers) on social media, I took full advantage of the Christmas deal of a lifetime – a fare glitch for a cheap airfare to Abu Dhabi.  I did tons of research before my trip, scoured blogs and websites ensuring I didn’t miss anything while I was there because who knew when I’d ever return…at least at such a cheap rate.

Since Dubai is the most well-known and richest emirates of the United Arab Emirates, we thought it was best to spend the majority of our time there and then spend the remainder of our time in Abu Dhabi.  Big mistake.

Since Etihad Airways offers a free shuttle bus to Dubai – only valid on the day you land in Abu Dhabi – my friends and I decided it was best to head to Dubai first, and then make our way back to Abu Dhabi during the last days of our trip.

I spent my first 3 days in Dubai and the following 2 days in Abu Dhabi. While I didn’t hate Dubai, I almost dare say it’s a place I don’t have to return.  Dubai felt like…the future.  The style of their buildings is called “Neo futuristic.”  It felt like we were in a different world each time we drove on the highways (which there seem to be no shortage of).

The streets were clean and lined with neatly manicured flowers.  It’s home to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and the world’s only self proclaimed seven star hotel, the Burj al Arab.  The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest shopping malls.  It has every store you’d ever want to go into, from Payless to Cartier, an underwater aquarium and even an ice rink. It literally has every thing you’d ever need or want.

During our Big Bus Tour (a great way to see the city, by the way), we learned that the metro was unmanned and they planned on expanding the system for the World Expo happening there in 2020.  The traffic left a little to be desired but isn’t that the case for most big cities?  However, even with all of Dubai’s “World’s Biggest” attractions, I still wanted more.

1. It didn’t feel like there was much culture.

While the city was clean, nice, and neatly manicured, there didn’t appear to be any culture aside from what they wanted us to see.  Since most of the city’s development has happened within the last 20 years, everything is so…new.  I love history and while I did hear a little about Dubai’s history during our Big Bus Tour, I wanted it to immerse myself in another culture and it just didn’t feel like I could do that.

2. I could have been anywhere.

Vegas. Miami. Los Angeles.  You name any big city, I could have been there and not half way across the world in Dubai.  I love exploring and visiting new destinations.  But when visiting new places, I expect for there to be some inherent culture.  It was hard for me to identify Dubai’s.

3. Abu Dhabi was a bit slower.

While Abu Dhabi is the capital UAE, the people were nice (not that they weren’t nice in Dubai, it was just more noticeable in Abu Dhabi), the pace was a little slower and it was more in line with what I expected of the Middle East.  Hey, those are just the facts, people.  I’m just here to deliver them.

Abu Dhabi isn’t as flashy as Dubai, so if you’re expecting a Middle Eastern experience…don’t.  Do yourself a favor and spend a little more time in Abu Dhabi than you planned.  You’ll thank me later, I promise!

 “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller