timeoutdubai.com January 2025 3 Dubai Discover the best of the city this month FEATURES AND REGULARS 6 City life 8 Things to do 36 Food 44 Nightlife 56 Attractions 58 Family & Kids 60 Spa & Wellbeing 62 Sport & Outdoor 64 Time Out Market Dubai 66 Hype dish Carbone PAGE 20 Your best year yet January has arrived. Here’s how to make any ‘New Year, New You’ resolutions into reality (in a fun, easy way) PAGE 32 Bougie fun on a budget Want to rent a yacht? Hire a private chef? Charter a helicopter? Gather your mates together and hey presto PAGE 10 Welcome, 2025 It’s a shiny new year, which means it’s time to fill up your diary with amazing and fresh things to do. From beach club openings to massive sports events – we bring you the things to get on your radar for this coming month (and year)4 May 2024 timeoutdubai.com JOIN THE CONVERSATION @timeoutdubaifacebook.com/ timeoutdubai youtube.com/ timeoutgcc timeoutdubaitimeoutdubai It’s easy to fall into the trap of completely reinventing yourself come January (reader, you don’t need to). But one thing I will be paying serious attention to is how often I say ‘yes’. I found myself saying the Y word a little more towards the end of last year, and let me tell you – it transformed my thinking (and my diary). I said yes to a 5am flight on a hot air balloon above the desert, met new friends from Instagram (yes, really) for rooftop breakfasts and hopped on a jet-ski from the Palm, all before doing the big food shop. Trust me, you’ll never regret upping the thrill factor and Dubai is the perfect place to do just that. This year is the year to squeeze out even more joy from that three letter word. So if you too want to beam with pride by December but you’re unsure where to start, turn the page. You have everything you need to say ‘yes’ to the best year yet. Hello, Dubai Published by ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC © 2025 Time Out Group Ltd, London, UK. Time Out Dubai PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Geneva, London, Mumbai & Riyadh ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Chief Content Offi cer Holly Sands Time Out Dubai Editorial Head of Content McKenna Grant Tel: +971 4 444 3486 email: mckenna.grant@itp.com Acting Editor Emilie Hill Tel: +971 4 444 3693 email: emilie.hill@itp.com Editor at Large Amy Mathieson Tel: +971 4 444 3696 email: amy.mathieson@os.itp.com Group Food Editor Yousra Zaki Tel: +971 4 444 3255 email: yousra.zaki@itp.com News Editor Findlay Mair Tel: +971 4 444 3893 email: findlay.mair@itp.com Features Editor Sian Traynor Tel: +971 4 444 3396 email: sian.traynor@itp.com Senior Social Media Editor Wyanet Vaz Tel: +971 4 444 3307 email: wyanet.vaz@itp.com Staff Writer (Partner Content) Ashitha Jayaprakash Tel: +971 4 444 3417 email: ashitha.jayaprakash@itp.com Digital Content Lead Jeffrey Casiño Tel: +971 4 444 3591 email: jeffrey.casino@itp.com Content Executive Rodelito Mamuad Tel: +971 4 444 3657 email: rodelito.mamuad@itp.com Events & Marketing Head of Events Eleanor Ashton Events & Marketing Manager Kate Galaktionova Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Events Administrative Assistant Aronn Pureza Events Administrative Assistant Bobbie Rosario Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga email: events@itp.com Art Senior Designer Gillian Fletcher Contributing Designer Richa Khonde Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Production Production Manager Anand Sundaram Tel: +971 4 444 3424 email: anand.sundaram@itp.com Distribution & Circulation Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Tel: +971 4 444 3669 email: avinash.pereira@itp.com Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Tel: +971 4 444 3236 email: rajesh.pillai@itp.com Advertising Chief Commercial Officer Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 mobile: +971 56 104 0567 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Advertising Director Mitchell Rowlands Tel: +971 58 214 3987 email: mitchell.rowlands@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager David Wurie Tel: +971 52 576 2162 email: david.wurie@itp.com Advertising Manager Varsha Sonavane Tel: +971 56 753 6925 email: varsha.sonavane@itp.com Advertising Manager Keenan Cunningham Tel: +971 4 444 3533 email: keenan.cunningham@itp.com Senior Commercial Admin Executive Janet Comia email: janet.comia@itp.com Administrative Manager Siti Sumarsono siti.sumarsono@itp.com ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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Emilie Hill Acting Editor6 January 2025 timeoutdubai.com GLITTERING LIGHTS, INCREDIBLE nightly shows – Burj Khalifa really stands out in the city (and not just for its obvious height). And now the world’s tallest building has found a new way to grab the attention of everyone in town. Burj Khalifa has undergone a massive overhaul of its exterior with an upgrade to its façade lighting system. This includes a dynamic RGBW (red, green, blue and white) lighting system, which developers Emaar says integrates cutting-edge technology with the impressive architecture of the iconic 828-metre-tall building. Essentially, this means that lighting will be capable of a wide spectrum of vibrant colours and special effects, which should make it even prettier to look at. Burj Khalifa gets a swish glow-up The new system made its debut last month, and the (literal) glow-up also comes ahead of the Burj Khalifa’s 15th anniversary on Saturday January 4. Static lights have been replaced by the new tech and does not compromise on the existing design of the building. The new system will be capable of a wide range of lighting scenes including festive displays to everyday illuminations, which complements the tower’s media screen. Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Executive Director, Emaar Properties, said that the lighting upgrade is a new chapter for the Dubai landmark. He said: “Burj Khalifa has always stood as a beacon of what is possible when vision meets innovation. “This lighting overhaul is a testament to our continuous pursuit of excellence and a tribute to the UAE’s spirit of progress. This transformation marks a new chapter in its legacy, reaffirming Dubai as a city of boundless ambition.” Want to see it in all its glory? Head along to Downtown Dubai and soak in the spectacular sights. O Downtown Dubai, burjkhalifa.ae. “Upgrades come ahead of its 15th anniversary” City Lifetimeoutdubai.com January 2025 7 PLANNING A TRIP to Bahrain? Now there’s one more amazing reason to visit. Time Out Market Bahrain is officially open in Manama. Bringing together the best of Bahrain’s food and culture all under one roof, Time Out Market Bahrain is here and ready for you to sample the brilliant dishes, innovative drinks and amazing vibes in the capital of Bahrain. Perched on the second floor of City Centre Bahrain in the heart of Seef District, expect 14 fabulous kitchens featuring a diverse range of cuisines and specialities. But that’s not all – there’s also a gorgeous rooftop lounge (yes, two whole floors of Time Out Market Bahrain goodness), plus a centre stage for vibrant live entertainment. Ready to dig in? There’s everything from Persian cuisine to Japanese plates, vibrant Latin American dishes, bold Thai flavours and comforting Italian classics. Fancy tasty Mexican, new-age Indian, Lebanese, burgers, Chinese, Middle Eastern food or gelato? You’ll find all that and more to tuck into. Expect top local entertainment including Bahraini DJs and bands. It’s time to hot-foot it to the Kingdom’s hottest new foodie hub. O Open daily 10am-midnight. City Center Bahrain, timeout.com/time-out-market-bahrain. IT’S NO SECRET that Dubai diners love Japanese cuisine. From sushi to black cod, tempura to robata, we can’t get enough. And now, in excellent news, swanky London-born restaurant Sexy Fish has (finally) opened its doors in Dubai. The contemporary Japanese restaurant is located at DIFC’s Innovation One Building on the 11th floor. With restaurants in London’s Mayfair, Miami’s Brickell district and Manchester’s Spinningfields, Dubai is its fourth opening. With impressive (and some pretty mind- blowing) interior design, a crazy art collection and creative cuisine, we expect it to be one of the hottest restaurants in the city. The OG venue opened in London in 2015 and is found in London’s Berkeley Square. The restaurant, designed by the renowned Martin Brudnizki Design Studios, stands out for its visually striking interiors featuring a bold coral reef-inspired ceiling and a collection of contemporary artworks. Executive chef Bjoern Weissgerber leads the charge in the Sexy Fish kitchen and has created a menu that fuses Asian and European influences. Dishes on the menu include the likes of that ubiquitous black cod, king crab and gold- flaked sea bass. (We said it was swanky.) Sexy Fish is also known for its nightly mermaid-themed entertainment. So expect DJs spinning super tracks, creative mixed drinks and more in its new Dubai hot spot. Fancy some seafood with a dusting of gold? There’s a fancy new place to get on your radar for 2025. We’ll see you there. O Open daily 5pm-2am. Level 11 – Innovation One, DIFC, sexyfish.com (04 381 9000). Famed Sexy Fish lands in Dubai Time Out Market Bahrain 8 January 2025 timeoutdubai.com Things to do Fore! Ready for a top sporting day out? Whether you’re a mega fan of golf or just want a family trip, it’s time to head to the Dubai Desert Classic. Expect world-class sport, with stars including reigning champ Rory McIlory, as well as food trucks and a fun-packed family rave. O Free. Thu Jan 16-Sun Jan 19, 10am-11pm. Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road, dubaidesertclassic.com.timeoutdubai.com January 2025 9 Sun seeking PARTY BY THE POOL Best cossies on for Playa Pacha Dive into Ibiza-inspired pulsating party vibes at FIVE LUXE JBR’s pool and beach club. Picture the sun, the beats and all the Playa Pacha good vibes – all in one fully redeemable package. It’s Time Out Dubai’s Best Beach Club for good reason. Go and check it out if you haven’t already, and get ready for a poppin’ day out. O From Dhs200. Open daily 8am-8pm. FIVE LUXE JBR, playapachadubai.com (04 275 9999). SOAK UP THE VITAMIN SEA Have a beach day at February 30 Ready to have a day out in the glorious January sunshine? Time Out Dubai’s Best Beach Bar offers a fully redeemable beach day between noon and 7pm each day. It’s Dhs150 during the week and Dhs250 on the weekends. It’s time to book that day off and chill with your pals by the shore. O From Dhs150. Open Mon-Thu noon-7pm, Fri-Sun 10am-7pm. Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, february30dubai.com (04 244 7200). SPARTAN RACE TRIFECTA ARRIVES Think you’re tough enough? Have what it takes to accomplish a Dubai Spartan Race Trifecta? Designed to test your stamina and agility, there are three races, where courses can consist of obstacles including mud, water and fire. It’s all designed to push you to your limits. O From Dhs295. Sat Jan 25-Sun Jan 26. Dubai Parks and Resorts, arabia.spartan.com. Drones and deals Ready for savings and fun this January? Dubai Shopping Festival is in full swing. There are heaps of incredible things to do this month, with everything from mega gigs to massive deals. There are also daily fireworks and world-class drone shows. As for the shopping itself, expect offers from more than 1,000 global and local brands at malls across the city. It all wraps up on Sunday January 12, so don’t miss out. O Prices vary. Times vary. Until Sun Jan 12. Various locations across Dubai, visitdubai.com. Rock along Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Green Day will be performing for the first time ever in the Middle East when they take to the stage at Dubai’s Expo City. Get ready to dance to hits like American Idiot and Boulevard of Broken Dreams. We’re ready to rock, are you? O From Dhs445. Mon Jan 25. Dubai Expo City, greendaydxb.com.Next >