< PreviousHead to timeoutdubai.com/timeoutrecommended for the latest and greatest eats in town HOUSE AD - TOD FREE LUNCH_11747656.indd 6529/07/2021 18:05:44 LUNCH? FREE HOUSE AD - TOD FREE LUNCH_11747656.indd 6529/07/2021 18:05:44 There’s no such thing. That’s why Time Out has been reviewing Dubai restaurants anonymously since 2001. HOUSE AD - TOD FREE LUNCH_11747656.indd 6529/07/2021 18:05:44TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM JULY 2025 31 Inside 32 Things to do 44 Swim-up bars 50 Food 54 Nightlife 56 Attractions 58 Shopping 60 Sports & Outdoors 62 Wellbeing 64 Time Out Market Dubai 66 The last word Features & Regulars Plan your perfect night out Whether you have Dhs100 or Dhs1,000 in your wallet, we have your ideal evening sorted. From drinks to dinner, activities and more Page 34 Swingers Crazy Golfslug 32 MONTH 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Things Take a dip at DRIFT Dubai The elegant spot launches a new night swim Fancy an after-dark swim? We hear you. The days are heating up so it’s time to make the most of the evenings. And as the sun goes down you can now make your way to DRIFT Dubai to enjoy one of the chicest beach clubs in town under the stars. Launching a night swim for the first time this summer, the deal is fully redeemable so you can sip a glass of something chilled as you enjoy the views and vibes at this stylish spot. O Dhs200 (fully redeemable). Fri-Sat, 7pm-midnight. One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh, driftbeachdubai.com (04 315 2200). Summer deals Admire the view from 13,000ft up Skydive for less this month Always fancied skydiving? Now’s your chance. Skydive Dubai is offering a summer deal where you’ll get tandem skydives for Dhs2,499. As well as admiring views of the Palm, Marina and beyond, you’ll get a video and photos. Jumps start at 6.15am in July so you can kick off your day in the most exhiliaring of ways – by freefalling at speeds of up to 200km/h. O Dhs2,499. From 6.15am. Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina, skydivedubai.ae (04 377 8888). Swing a club at Topgolf Golf in air-conditioning (really) Want to practise your golf swing but too hot on the course? Head to Topgolf this summer to check out its air-conditioned bays and super deals. Play before 5pm and you’ll get weekday bay gameplay for Dhs99 an hour. O Open Mon-Fri 10am-2am, Sat-Sun 9am-2am. Emirates Golf Club, topgolfdubai.ae (04 371 9999). DRIFT Beachslug ITC Franklin Gothic st - Heavy - 11pt TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM MONTH 2025 33 to do Book a table Slap-up steak brunch Have a fun Saturday at Rowley’s Carnivore looking for a laid-back yet lively Saturday brunch? Head to Rowley’s to get stuck into endless servings of steak, crispy truffle fries, juicy beef skewers, beef tartare, tater tots and a rotation of signature salads. Enjoy the cool vibe, in the equally cool AC. O Dhs190 (soft drinks), Dhs260 (house beverages), free (kids under seven). Sat noon-3.30pm. The Slice, Central Park Towers, DIFC, rowleysrestaurants.com (04 257 4754). Take your pick at Time Out Market 17 home-grown faves to enjoy Hungry? Tuck into everything from pizza and bao to mezze, sushi, ramen and nachos. There’s even a new vendor – Izu Burger – to check out. And with drinks starting from Dhs35, it’s a top place to visit this summer. O Open Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutmarket.com/dubai (054 375 2421). trust us. From special sales to super offers, live entertainment and more, keep close to timeoutdubai.com for the latest news. O Until Sun Aug 31. Various locations around Dubai. Dance to TJ Monterde A one-night-only event Filipino superstar TJ Monterde is bringing his world tour to the city in July. With more than one billion streams on Spotify, the star will perform his most popular tracks. O From Dhs199. Sun Jul 13, 8pm. Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, coca-cola-arena.com (800 223 388). Time to Beat the Heat Top names are set to perform Expect artists like TUL8TE (Friday July 4), Sharmoofers (Saturday July 5), Soulja (Friday July 11) and Bader Al Shuaibi (Saturday July 12) at the exciting 2025 edition of Beat the Heat DXB festival. O From Dhs78.75. July 4-5, 11-12. Zabeel Hall 6, Dubai World Trade Centre, dubai.platinumlist.net. Dubai Summer Surprises Try a cool new restaurant NETTE Al Barari’s new terrace (with AC) Much-loved home-grown brand NETTE’s new Al Barari café now has a new glass- enclosed, air-conditioned terrace, designed to offer the perfect indoor-outdoor feel. Expect lush greenery, tasty French-Japanese food and a chilled vibe. Order yuzu avo toast, matcha overnight oats or a jackfruit sloppy Joe as you catch up with pals. O Open daily 7am-8pm. Al Barari, nette.ae (04 329 4800). Save the date Check out deals, prizes and more Dubai Summer Surprises returns Huge shopping festival Dubai Summer Surprises is taking over the city until the end of August – and you don’t want to miss out, Rowley’sIt’s aYour ultimate Dubai night out, no matter what your budget. By Sian Traynor36 JULY 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM W hen it comes to nights out, Dubai has it all. Whether it’s happy hour drinks, bouncing night clubs or chilled grape bars that you’re looking for, there’s something happening every day of the week. Some experiences might come with a heavier price tag than others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a dream night on a budget. If you’re getting the gang together for a night out on the town, or treating your other half to a special evening, we’ve put together some unbelievable itineraries whether you only have Dhs100, or you’re ready to splash out. Cheap and cheerful Sometimes the best nights are free (or only cost a little). In this city, you can have a diary-worthy evening for just a few dirhams, so let’s schedule in some fun without breaking the bank. Not only does this evening include a meal out, you’ll also have enough cash for some early-evening drinks before watching a live show. It doesn’t get much better (or cheaper) than this. BUDGET: DHS100 Activity: Admire the Imagine light show Get ready to be awestruck, as you can see this multi-Guinness World Record holder at Festival Bay every night of the week. Only a 15-minute drive away from your sundowner spot (keep reading for BAI Bar), you can be here in no time and grab a front row seat to the show. A fabulous feat of engineering and choreography, the show uses high-powered lasers, more than 70 searchlights, water screens, projections, music, flames and fountains to wow the crowds with a stunning show of light and colour. It’s hard to believe that this show is completely free, but it is – meaning you have even more budget to spend on your dinner (happy days). O Free. Open Mon-Wed 7pm-11pm, Thu-Sun 7pm-11pm (every hour). Dubai Festival City Mall, dubaifestivalcitymall.com (800 332). Dinner: Dig in at Market Island It’s up to you whether you head for dinner before or after the laser show, as your destination is just round the corner inside Dubai Festival City Mall. Open since 2024, this gigantic food hall is not only licensed, but is open until 1am and has every type of cuisine you can think of. From a fresh scoop at Gelato Ado to the mini-khinkali at Georgian restaurant MZE, you’re going to need to sit on one of those long benches to fit all your dishes in. Your final bill depends on how much you order, but prices here are more than reasonable. For example, a classic chicken sandwich at Hammer Burger will set you back only Dhs39. O Open daily 10am-1am. Dubai Festival City Mall, dubaifestivalcitymall.com (058 524 5807). Drinks: Enjoy drinks at BAI Bar and Terrace This canal-side spot is ideal for sipping a glass of something cold with a view, plus the sunsets against the Business Bay skyline always impress. Making for a brilliant budget spot, the terrace offers a daily hour where you can grab a drink for as little as Dhs25, so why not start your night with a couple of well-priced sundowners? O From Dhs25. Daily 3pm-7pm. Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Canal View, Business Bay, radissonhotels.com (04 875 3300). Imagine Brilliant bargains A night out under Dhs250 in our opinion is a bargain, especially when you consider how many incredible things you can do in this city. This evening out will take you to Bluewaters Island, home to some impressive views and of course, Ain Dubai. However, on this occasion you won’t be boarding the big wheel, you’ll be having a blast dipping in and out of all that’s on offer around it. BUDGET: DHS250 Activity: Get competitive at Brass Monkey This place is a one-stop fun shop for adults, where you can get competitive for a very reasonable price. Get the gang together and head there early as its first come, first served on the bowling lanes, which are priced at Dhs75 per person per game. Or if All budgets covered TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM JULY 2025 37 3 absolutely free ladies’ nights Canary Club The deal: Free-flowing grape and selected mixed drinks all night at the bar. Don’t want to spend a single dirham on your night out? Located in the Banyan Tree Residences in Hillside JLT, the cool restaurant and bar welcomes diners to soak up the chilled-back vibe and try the Japanese-Mexican crossover menu. However, ladies can sip on free drinks on Thursdays from 7pm to 1am. If you do want a table instead of the bar, note there’s a Dhs195 per person minimum spend to redeem the offer. You might need to splurge on a new ’fit though. O Free. Thu 7pm-1am. Banyan Tree Residences, JLT, canaryclub.com (04 584 5999). The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill The deal: Free grape-based beverages at the bar. This New England-inspired seafood restaurant serves ladies unlimited red, white and pink grape every Wednesday night from 8pm to midnight, but only to those in the bar area (whether seated or standing). Head along with your pals and enjoy a budget-friendly night in JBR. O Free. Wed 8pm-midnight. DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Jumeirah Beach, JBR, themaine.ae (04 457 6719). Lock, Stock & Barrel, JBR The deal: Unlimited free drinks. Ladies get an impressive four hours of unlimited free-flowing drinks every Tuesday at this cool bar in JBR. Expect classic party tracks, serious energy and an all-round good time. It’s always a party at Lock, Stock & Barrel. O Free. Tue 8pm-midnight. Rixos Premium Dubai, The Walk, JBR, lsbdubai.com (04 392 7120). Canary Club you don’t want to show off how good your tenpin skills are, you can opt for a run at the arcade instead. You need to top up a card to play with a minimum of Dhs100, but split between two it’s more than affordable, and you can get a go on Quick Shot or the air hockey table in no time. If you want to spend the night all in one place, it’s worth noting there are top-notch dining deals on almost every night of the week too. For example, on a Monday you can have truffle mac and cheese with a pint of hops for Dhs99, or on Dance the night away Aretha For a boogie to some powerful funk and Motown tracks, you need to get yourself down to Aretha. Inspired by the queen of soul herself, the white grand piano under an enormous disco ball on the centre stage is a clear indicator of what’s to come here – and that’s seriously captivating live music and copious razzle-dazzle. As the evening progresses the tempo ramps up, after midnight you’ll find yourself immersed in a club right out of the ’60s and ’70s. O Open Wed-Sun 8pm-3am. St. Regis Gardens, Palm Jumeirah, aretha.ae (050 621 0544). Armani/Privé It’s in the Armani Hotel so it kind of goes without saying that Privé is a bit posh. Essentially a black space with illuminated booths and huge screens, it’s sultry, stylish and pretty understated compared to other clubs in Dubai. Resident and international DJs are excellent, and it could be a mix of commercial, French, Afro, Bollywood, hip-hop, Latin, house, techno and more depending on when you visit. O Open Tue-Sat 11pm-3am. Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, @armaniprivedxb (052 176 9420). Ling Ling It’s not only a club-restaurant- lounge in one of Dubai’s most talked about hotels, it also has some really great music you can shimmy away to. Tucked away on the 23rd floor of Atlantis The Royal, the space is dark and ultra-cool, with different themed nights, from reggaeton to R&B. Head here a bit earlier for a bite to eat before heading to Ling Ling Ultra on a Friday and Saturday night. O Open Sun-Wed 6pm-2am, Thu-Sat 6pm- 3am. Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, linglingdubai.com (050 653 2098). Tuesday, it’s a taco and a Mexican mixed drink for the same price. Expect vibey tunes, neon lights and a fun hangout where you can act like a big kid all the way until 2am. O Open Mon-Wed 4pm-2am, Thu-Fri 4pm-3am, Sat noon-3am, Sun noon-2am. Bluewaters, brassmonkeysocial.com (04 582 7277). Activity: Practise your putt at Swingers Crazy Golf Recently landing in Bluewaters, this crazy course will let you have one full round for All budgets covered TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM JULY 2025 39 VNYL Hi-Fi Swingers Crazy Golf inside the bar). Walk through the side door and up the spiralling staircase. Once you’ve passed all the ’70s-style wallpaper and ducked through the curtain, your second venue of the night reveals itself. This might be a late-night spot, but the party starts far earlier. By 10pm both floors are busy, and you can let loose on the dancefloor. There’s no doubt that you could ring up quite the bill in here, but if you’re heading out on a tight budget, there’s no need to. If you want to soak up the vibes and nip in for a quick dance, you can order a glass of grape or a bottle of Japanese hops for Dhs65. O Open Mon-Fri 3pm-1am, Sat 1pm-4am, Sun 1pm-4am. Bluewaters Island, vnylhifi.com (052 249 4004). Something extra: Zip along for a scoop at Gelateria La Romana Before you head home, stop in for a single scoop of gelato at the ice cream parlour, which has been coming up with new flavours all the way since 1947. One scoop only costs Dhs25, so you can end on a sugary note while taking a stroll along the boardwalk and taking in the super views. It’s a sweet way to end your evening. O Open Sun-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-1am. Bluewaters Island, gelateriaromana.com (04 228 2161). Middle-ground magic Perhaps pay day has just rolled around and this time you have a little more disposable cash to throw around on a night out. Although this won’t buy you a chauffeur- driven limousine and a table in VIP, it’s more than enough to have a cracking night out on the town. For this special evening, we’ll be proving that one Dhs500 note is more than enough to keep you going for the evening. BUDGET: DHS500 Activity: Grab the mic at karaoke Ignite the performer within you and dazzle your mates with a few renditions of your favourite tracks. Book in a private booth at Lucky Voice, where you can all sing (or screech) some songs out, and there’s over 15,000 to choose from. Priced at Dhs44 per person on weekdays and Dhs55 on weekends for an hour slot it’s a top shout. O Open Sun-Fri 5pm-3am, Sat 1pm-3am. Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights, luckyvoice.ae (800 58259). Dhs80, making it another bargain activity to get under your belt. There are three fun courses to choose from (and snap a pic of) made up of obstacles from hot air balloons to funfairs. If you fancy a mixed drink then you’re in luck, as the venue lets you take your drinks round the course with you, meanwhile a live DJ will be playing some cracking beats in the background. O From Dhs80. Open Mon-Fri 4pm-1am, Sat noon-2am, Sun noon-1am. Bluewaters Island, swingerscrazygolf.ae (04 557 6309). Dinner: Tuck in at Frank Just a few minutes down the road from your activity of choice on Bluewaters is this laid- back barbecue restaurant, perfect for filling you up on a budget. This place is all about generous portions, whether you’re opting for something from the meat or the tapas menu. Get stuck into a plate of the sweet cola wings, with popcorn, crispy beef bacon and French fries for Dhs65, or a hearty (and cheesy) margherita pizza for just Dhs52. If you’re visiting with the gals on a Thursday then you’re in even more luck, as you can make the most of one appetiser and free-flowing drinks for Dhs110 per person (bargain alert). O Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight, Fri-Sat noon-2am. Bluewaters Island, frankmeat.ae (058 634 8811). Drinks: Try some new music at VNYL Hi-Fi By day, the venue is a chilled record store, letting you browse tracks and listen to some of the best music ever made. But by night, the DJ is mixing all the top-tapping tunes with even better company. As day turns to night, the space begins to heat up and that’s when you’ll want to make a swift move to the secret bar (yep, another bar Next >