< Previous40 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Top indoor activities Listen to cool music and enjoy bar bites at Honeycomb Hi-Fi Without a doubt one of the trendiest bars in Dubai, Honeycomb Hi-Fi in Business Bay is a brilliant spot if you’re into music. Based on an izakaya, there’s a Japanese- inspired menu, as well as innovative mixed drinks to wash it down with. But back to that music – Honeycomb Hi-Fi features a music listening station, a vinyl record store and a book shop, as well as a roster of top DJs and musicians entertaining bargoers and keeping the bar, well, buzzing. Did we mention it is officially Dubai’s best bar too? O Open Mon-Thu 7.30pm-2am, Fri-Sat 7.30pm- 3am, Sun 7.30pm-2am. Pullman Dubai Downtown, Business Bay, honeycombhifi.com (04 412 6666). LOL at The Laughter Factory The city’s much-loved longstanding comedy club The Laughter Factory pulls out all the stops when it comes to bringing in hilarious talent from all around the globe. Every month, three laugh-out-loud acts take to the stage and you’re sure to have an absolutely brilliant night out. O Prices vary and show times vary. Various locations include Dukes Dubai, Zabeel House by Jumeirah The Greens and Grand Millennium Barsha Heights, thelaughterfactory.com. See a performance at Dubai Opera If you’re looking for a sophisticated evening, Dubai Opera is where to go. Grab some last- minute tickets for some incredible ballet to some hilarious comedy, dine at one of the nearby restaurants in Downtown Dubai (you can’t go wrong with Bisou), then head in for curtain up. Not a show that catches your eye but still a theatre buff? You can book in for a behind the scenes tour too. O Prices vary. Show timings vary. Downtown Dubai. dubaiopera.com (04 440 8888). Watch an awesome dinner show at The Theater Dinner and entertainment (other than your plus one)? Yes, please. The Theater is a luxe, extravagant and fabulous dining destination. It’s so good in fact, it scooped up the award for Best Show at the Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards 2024, so you really should give it a whirl. The Theater can be found where the famed Cavalli Club once was and the centrepiece catwalk-style stage remains, where dancers twirl acrobats and aerial artists twirl high above you as you dine. Dishes are Asian-leaning with oysters, Japanese guacamole, maki rolls and black cod. Get dressed up and make a night of it at The Theater. You definitely won’t want to go home until the early hours. A winner for a reason, don’t miss it. O Prices vary. Show times vary. Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, thetheatredubai.com (04 222 2268). Honeycomb Hi-FiTop indoor activities TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 41 The Theater42 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM T here’s something special about watching a band perform on stage or a DJ take to the decks. And happily here in Dubai we have some of the best around. Ready to get on your feet? Here’s where to catch the best live acts in town. Rocking bar bands Whether you’re after banging rock, mellow jazz or lively folk music, there’s a bar band that will be right up your street. Plus, they’re playing everywhere from McGettigan’s to Barasti, so your nights out can be as eclectic as the music you listen to. Ready to headbang/toe-tap/hum along to your favourite tunes? It’s time to put your hands together for the best bar bands in Dubai. Drum roll, please. 20th Century Boys Where to see them: Fibber Magee’s, Barsha Heights. A hugely popular group, this trio has been rocking the pubs and bars of the city for more than a decade now. Playing a mix of rock, blues, jazz and beyond, the three- piece blasts out nostalgic hits that will have you swaying/singing along and you’ll find 20th Century Boys playing in laid-back, fun- loving venues such as the longstanding Irish pub Fibber Magee’s Barsha Heights. Order a pint of the black stuff and enjoy the show. Black Cherry Where to see them: Wavehouse. All-female pop-rock band Black Cherry has been playing in Dubai since 2022 in numerous pubs and hotels. Right now, the best place to find the five-piece is at Wavehouse at Atlantis The Palm, where they take to the stage multiple times a week and get the bars absolutely pumping. With Sophie on vocals, Ksenia on drums, Love live music and cool sets? Here’s where to see the very best bar bands and DJs in the city MicLock, Stock and Barrel Lock, Stock & Barrel, JBR44 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Top bar bands and DJs Ginevra and Alena on guitar and vocals and Cherie on bass and vocals, you can expect powerful, crowd-pleasing covers of pop and rock and roll favourites. With unrivalled energy, Black Cherry is a top watch. O @black_cherrymusic. Caribbean Queen Where to see them: CLAW BBQ. Upbeat female band Caribbean Queen regularly hit the stage at venues across the city where they perform a mix of Latin party hits and pop. With infectious Latino vibes, they get everyone up and dancing. O @caribbean_queen_dubai. Carrie Gibson’s Nuvo Soul Where to see them: Novecento Dubai. For soulful jazz, Carrie Gibson and her silky- smooth Nuvo Soul band shine like stars. Having playing at Nola in JLT and dedicated jazz bar Jass Lounge in DIFC, the band are now residents at Novecento. Expect to get lost in the tuneful melodies of jazz, blues, contemporary soul and more. Led by the charismatic Canadian singer Gibson, this group is one of the best around, especially if you have a penchant for live jazz. O @nuvosoul_band. Ace live music bars Fibber Magee’s This legend of an Irish watering hole can be found tucked away just behind Sheikh Zayed Road and it’s a laid-back spot attracting a loyal crowd of regulars. Serving proper Irish grub, pints of the black stuff and boasting a friendly atmosphere, it’s especially fun on its frequent Irish trad music nights, where you’ll get to toe-tap along to Irish folk music and soak in the Emerald Isle vibes. O Open daily 8am-3am. Saeed Tower One, Sheikh Zayed Road, fibbersdubai.com (04 332 2400). Jass Lounge Jass Lounge is ideal for cosy, late-night vibes, with a top line- up of smooth jazz acts taking to the stage. With moody lighting, furnishings in navy and gold and only a handful of tables, it’s a prime spot for music-lovers and night owls. Focusing on quality music in an intimate atmosphere, Jass Lounge also prides itself on its creative mixed drinks list. O Open Sun-Tue 8pm-2am, Wed 8pm- 2.30am, Thu 6pm-2.30am, Fri-Sat 6pm- 3am. Gate Village 2, DIFC, jasslounge.ae (050 912 4242). Lock, Stock & Barrel, JBR Looking for loud? Lock, Stock & Barrel doesn’t do anything by halves and that’s especially true when it comes to its live performances. Time Out Dubai’s Best Live Music Bar, this huge, cavernous space is ideal for an absolutely rocking party, and when its roster of top acts take to the stage there’s not a smidgen of room on the dance floor. Hosting bands throughout the week and having held a battle of the bands in the past, you know LSB takes its live music very seriously. O Open Mon-Sat 4pm-3am, Sun 2pm-3am. Rixos Premium JBR, The Walk, JBR, lsbdubai.com (04 423 8307). Carrie Gibson’s Nuvo Soul Madam Where to see them: Fibber Magee’s, Sheikh Zayed Road. Another of Dubai’s brilliant groups that formed in 2023, this two-piece band are known for their eclectic music, great vocals and incredible instrumentals. Playing mostly trad and cool covers, Madam can be found live on stage at Fibber Magee’s, Sheikh Zayed Road. Get ready to get into the groove every week and check them out. O @madamdxb. Sweet Chilli Jam Band Highly Commended Where to see them: Barasti. This banging band are hugely popular thanks to their lively performances and catchy covers. Sweet Chilli Jam Band’s repertoire has more than 200 songs and covers everything from ’60s pop to current hits so you’re sure to get in the party mood if you go to see them play. Raising the roof at venues across the UAE, you’ll most frequently find this four-piece rocking the dance floor at longstanding beach bar Barasti – where you’re guaranteed a fun- packed night out. O @sweetchillijamband.Top bar bands and DJs TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 45 Tone Deaf Where to see them: The Irish Village. If you want a band that gets you up on your feet and dancing, you’re going to want to head along to see Tone Deaf play. The three-piece band can be found at Irish bars including The Irish Village and Fibber Magee’s, so you know you’re in for a good night. Playing a wide selection of music, you’ll find some great classic rock and pop- funk covers when listening to Tone Deaf (a band that isn’t, in fact, tone deaf). O @tonedeaf_music_. ToneCrew Where to see them: McGettigan’s JLT. Ready to rock at McGettigan’s? This buzzing Irish bar chain is known for its live music events, and one of the top acts is ToneCrew, a talented four-piece Maldivian band that have been jamming together since 2014. ToneCrew plays everything from pop and RnB to indie and country, so you’re sure to find something to hum along to. ToneCrew plays exclusively at McGettigan’s, most frequently in JLT, so you know where to go. O @tonecrewband. The Rebel Bass new band, having played their first gig together in December 2021, the group are rapidly proving themselves as one of the best bar bands in the city right now. With a repertoire of rock, punk and indie covers, if this is your vibe, you’ll love The Rebel Bass. O @the_rebel_base_dubai. Beat droppin’ DJs Masters of vibes, these DJs spin sets that get people returning to venues week in and week out. And while good food, great drinks and Insta-worthy views are big pulls, there’s nothing quite like seeing a top DJ to get us out. Playing everything from house to Afrobeats and techno, these multi-genre resident DJs are at the top of their game. BabeOnDaBeat Where to see him: SOON. If you’ve ever been to the ladies’ night at SOON, you’ll have seen DJ BabeOnDaBeat The Ark Dubai Winner Where to see them: Lock, Stock & Barrel, Barsha Heights. One of the hottest bar bands on the Dubai circuit, this international four-piece also plays at Lock, Stock and Barrel’s brunch party, where you can expect lead vocalist Kerrie Stirling (also a talented saxophonist) to belt out some pop and rock classics. See them tear up the stage and watch out for brilliant covers of classics like Tina Turner’s Proud Mary. Once the band starts, it doesn’t take long for everyone to get up on their feet and have a good old singalong, which is why they are Time Out Dubai’s current Best Bar Band. Don’t miss them, you’re sure to have a great time. O @thearkdubai. The Rebel Bass Highly Commended Where to see them: Lock, Stock & Barrel Business Bay and Wavehouse. Lock, Stock & Barrel is renowned for live music and only playing the most happening of acts, so it’s time to head along and enjoy The Rebel Bass’s cover music. A relatively 46 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM is a multi-genre DJ who knows exactly how to read a crowd. Spinning a mix of hip-hop, Afrobeats and R&B at his weekly residencies, the DJ has earned a loyal following across the city. To the point, you’ll often see the same crowd at these places, who are just there to enjoy his sets. You’ll also find him whipping people into a dancing frenzy at his own Rework parties and DJing as one-half of the DJ duo Mixed Feelings at club parties. O @djtj. Jean B Where to see him: Soho Garden DXB, Code DXB, Hive DXB, Playroom DXB. Nominated for the second year in a row, if you don’t know Jean B yet, you need to. A progressive house DJ and producer, you’ll find him on the decks of Soho Garden, so make your next night out a big one. He’s been DJing since he was 14 and Jean B has been making his mark on the UAE club scene ever since he moved to Dubai in 2005 and now you have plenty of opportunities to see him if you want to party. O @djjeanb. in action. Hailing from Sri Lanka, where he became quite the Spotify star during lockdown, real name Shevin is best known in Dubai for fronting Play2Much at SOON alongside DJ Dirty DZN. A producer as well as DJ, he’s respected for his rhythmic remixes across genres, mainly in hip-hop, R&B, rap and Amapiano. New to the city and not yet 30, we’re excited to see what comes from DJ BabeOnDaBeat in Dubai next. O @babeondabeat. DJ Arado Where to see him: Terra Solis Dubai. DJ Arado brings the party vibe to every set. Taking to the decks at the incredible venue from the world-famous Tomorrowland, Arado’s house music sets are the theme tune to some of the city’s best nights out. O @arado_. DJ Patchoulee Where to see her: Honeycomb Hi-Fi. With her effortlessly cool set lists and even cooler fashion sense, DJ Patchoulee brings a unique feel to wherever she DJs. At the DJTJ moment, that’s Time Out Dubai’s Bar of the Year, Honeycomb Hi-Fi. DJing on vinyl, Patchoulee uses her decade of experience behind the booth to spin diverse tracks spanning hip-hop, soul and funk. Head to Honeycomb Hi-Fi ASAP, trust us. O @djpatchoulee. DJ Slick Where to see him: Iris Dubai, BCH:CLB, The Mansion Dubai, Mimi’s Pool Club, Lekki Dubai, Ting Irie. DJ Slick has a lot of sets to make your way around, but if there’s one thing to know about DJ Slick, it’s that he’s a proven multi-tasker. With a career spanning radio, events, podcasts and DJ sets, the disc jockey not only balances multiple jobs but also genres. You’ll find his fun sets mix Afrobeats, hip-hop, rap, drill and throwback tunes, all guaranteed to get you dancing. O @djslickuk. DJTJ Highly Commended Where to see him: The Nice Guy and Miss Lily’s. DJTJ, otherwise known as Travis J. Sewchan, Top bar bands and DJs TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 47 Lobito Brigante Mister Levier John Bowtie Where to see him: Gate Two by Iris. Starting out his career as a drummer, John Bowtie is all about rhythm. One of the city’s best resident DJs, his sets at Iris marry electronic beats with melodic sounds. After moving to Dubai in 2017, Bowtie has become famous for his upbeat vibe that keeps the crowd entertained for hours on end. Along with mixing tracks, his high energy includes live finger-drumming and lots of personality. O @john_bowtie. Kenza Kayati Highly Commended Where to see her: Gate Two by Iris. Artist and DJ Kenza Kayati is one of the resident DJs at Gate Two by Iris, a venue she credits with enabling her to fully express herself. Renowned for her high-energy sets, Tunisian-born Kenza is a rising star, making electronic music her own and never failing to get dance floors packed. At just 23, she was also part of MDLBeast in Saudi Arabia, sharing the stage with the likes of Black Coffee and Jamie Jones. Follow her, now. O @kenzakayati. Lobito Brigante Where to see him: Electric Pawn Shop. Previously winning Dubai’s Best Resident DJ at the Time Out Dubai Nightlife Awards 2022, Lobito Brigante is a force to be reckoned with. The vinyl DJ not only co-owns his own bar, Electric Pawn Shop found at The H Dubai, but also spins some of the most eclectic sets in town. Known for his love of everything from Arabic funk, Latin, soul and hip-hop to Brazilian, bass, Afrobeats, reggae and block party beats, thanks to Lobito, there’s always a unique vibe at EPS. Just don’t try to change said vibe, as Lobito doesn’t take requests. O @lobitobrigante. Mister Levier Winner! Where to see him: Blu Dubai, 1OAK, The Penthouse, SKY2.0, Surf Club. Consistently taking the party vibes to the next level, Mister Levier is a resident DJ at some of the city’s most lively venues and you’ll no doubt have seen him play. Seen on the stage playing everything from Afrobeats to hip-hop, when he’s off the stage, you’ll often find the ever-so-stylish Levier hanging out with global musicians. Bringing his effortlessly cool vibe to every night, if you’re looking to up your street cred, get yourself down to one of his weekly sets. O @misterlevier. 48 SUMMER 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM O BeachTIMEOUTDUBAI.COM SUMMER 2025 49 No reservation required: The city’s best last-minute plans to check out this summer. By Sian Traynor I n a city as fabulous as Dubai, it’s no surprise that some venues are booked up days (or even weeks) in advance. But if you’re a type B personality and left organising the plans right to the last-minute, don’t fret, as we’re about to let you in on a little secret. There are heaps of places that don’t need a reservation, meaning your pool day or night out needs no prior planning. To make things easier, we’ve rounded up some of the hottest spots in town with no reservation required. All you need to do is stick it in the group chat and just turn up. Pool days Address Montgomerie Ready for a chilled out day by the pool? This is the perfect summer option. The hotel in Emirates Hills is a dreamy walk-in option if you just fancy a relaxed day stuck to a sun lounger reading your latest novel. Offering a partly-redeemable pool pass, you can order a couple of drinks or a quick bite and soak up the rays, no prior planning needed. The pool is deliciously cool and there’s a small kids’ pool and playground for the little ones if you’re going with the gang. Winning. O Dhs150 (Dhs100 redeemable, Mon-Fri), Dhs250 (Dhs150 redeemable, Sat-Sun). Open daily 7am-8pm. Address Montgomerie, Emirates Hills, addresshotels. com (04 390 5600). Alto 54 If you want a prime view of the Burj Khalifa on a weekend afternoon over the summer, then it doesn’t get much better than Alto 54, the new sky pool at Address Sky View. Now open for pool days, access is walk-ins only, so you can spend a few hours up in the clouds while soaking up the rays on a luxe lounger. Dreamy. O Dhs600 (Dhs300 redeemable). Open daily 9am-sunset. Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, addresshotels.com (04 873 8888). Barasti An oldie but a goldie – if you’ve not been to Barasti yet, where have you been? This casual beach bar is an OG on the beach club scene and offers everyone pool and beach access for as little as Dhs150, which is fully redeemable, on a weekday. Sign us up. The loungers are first come first served, so get there early for a prime space and splosh into that cool pool. O Dhs150 (redeemable Mon-Thu), Dhs200 (redeemable, Fri-Sun). Open daily from 9am-3am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Al Sufouh, @barastibeach (04 511 7373). Beach by FIVE Spanning a 150-metre stretch of sandy beach, the beach club features sun loungers, cabanas, hot tubs and an extremely Instagrammable glass-sided pool starring a one-of-a-kind chandelier. Beach beds are first come, first served so Beach by FIVE Wa lk ri ght i n Wa lk ri ght i nNext >