8 of the best speakeasies in Dubai for every mood
Found by feel, not by map…
No signs, no obvious entrances – just soft glows, great drinks, doors you'd miss if you weren't looking, and rooms with the right kind of mood. These are Dubai's best speakeasies – hidden behind kitchens, bookshelves, and tea rooms. Some nights call for something dark and mysterious. Others, for intimate, groovy energy without the full-on scene. Either way, no wrong door – just the right vibe. Pick your mood. Head in. Voyage by Amelia
Hidden above Amelia Lounge, Voyage reflects a retro-futuristic mood – aviation nostalgia, velvet seating, and chrome details that feel cinematic. It's intimate, dramatic, and quietly bold. Come here when the mood calls for mystery, low lighting and depth over noise.
Amelia Lounge, Downtown Dubai. @voyagebyamelia Ongaku
High above DIFC, CLAP is where rooftop glamour meets Tokyo cool – geometric angles, artful details, and an ambient glow. Just behind it, Ongaku dials things down and turns the volume up. Hidden and dimly lit, it's where music leads and the energy feels more underground. Come here when you're in the mood for a low-key night with high-key vibes – the kind that makes you appreciate creativity in all its forms.
Ongaku, CLAP, DIFC, Gate Village Building 11, level 9. @ongakubyclap GABA
Hidden in Dubai Marina, GABA moves at its own pace. By day, it's a serene tea lounge – rare organic brews, calm energy, soft light, and a quiet sense of ritual. But behind a discreet door, the mood shifts. The bar feels like an art-filled living room with a DJ – intimate, low-key, and effortlessly cool. Come when you're in the mood for a night that feels more like a house party only a few are invited to.
GABA, M level, Marina Promenade, Dubai Marina. @gaba.dubai Hush Hush
Hidden inside The Nice Guy, Hush Hush is the kind of speakeasy you won't stumble into by accident. No signs, no buzz – just velvet booths, low lighting, and the smooth pull of R&B and Hip Hop on rotation. The mood is seductive, the crowd in-the-know, and the vibe always on point. Come when you're feeling groovy and want to disappear into the music.
Hush Hush, The Nice Guy, Sheikh Zayed Road, Ground Level, The Boulevard, Emirates Towers. @theniceguydubai Blind Tiger
Behind a discreet door at Turtle Lagoon, Blind Tiger feels like a low-key escape. Walk into low-hung lanterns, deep wood tones, exotic textures, a mirrored ceiling, and a stylish aesthetic that nods to the roaring '20s. Blind Tiger is where you go if you love jazz music and when you're craving something low-lit but with just a hint of wild. It's intimate, it's moody. A little luxe, a little wild, always laid-back.
Blind Tiger, Turtle Lagoon, Jumeirah Al Naseem. @blindtigerdxb Chanca by Coya
Chanca by Coya used to be members-only, but now it's open to those who know where to look. It's Coya's late-night spot – the music sets the mood and shifts as the night goes on. Thursdays have a chill, refined Peruvian dinner vibe, while Saturdays turn up with dancing and groovy energy. The lighting stays intimate, the drinks are solid, and the music makes it easy to lose track of time. Go when you want a night that's lively and musical, yet somehow still intimate.
Chanca by Coya, Inside Coya, Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2. @chancadubai
Also read
Your bar twin: Some of the best bars in Dubai for every personality Honeycomb Hi-Fi
Honeycomb Hi-Fi, tucked behind a vinyl shop in Business Bay, feels like a private studio session. The warm wood interiors put the focus on sound – with DJs spinning carefully selected tunes every night. The izakaya-style menu is simple and perfect for a laid-back night. It's the spot when you're in the mood for a relaxed, music-focused vibe.
Honeycomb Hi-Fi, Pullman Hotel, Business Bay. @honeycombhifi NYX
NYX offers a darker, more secretive side beneath the polished glow of Gaia upstairs. Where Gaia feels bright and lively, NYX is low-lit and intimate, wrapped in crimson velvet and shadow. The entrance is discreet, the vibe deliberately elusive. It's a space for those who want to slip away from the spotlight and settle into something quiet and mysterious. Go late, keep it low-key, and don't be surprised if it becomes your favourite hidden spot.
NYX, Gaia Dubai, DIFC Gate Village 4. @nyx__dxb
Images: Instagram
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What's On
10-06-2025
- What's On
8 of the best speakeasies in Dubai for every mood
Found by feel, not by map… No signs, no obvious entrances – just soft glows, great drinks, doors you'd miss if you weren't looking, and rooms with the right kind of mood. These are Dubai's best speakeasies – hidden behind kitchens, bookshelves, and tea rooms. Some nights call for something dark and mysterious. Others, for intimate, groovy energy without the full-on scene. Either way, no wrong door – just the right vibe. Pick your mood. Head in. Voyage by Amelia Hidden above Amelia Lounge, Voyage reflects a retro-futuristic mood – aviation nostalgia, velvet seating, and chrome details that feel cinematic. It's intimate, dramatic, and quietly bold. Come here when the mood calls for mystery, low lighting and depth over noise. Amelia Lounge, Downtown Dubai. @voyagebyamelia Ongaku High above DIFC, CLAP is where rooftop glamour meets Tokyo cool – geometric angles, artful details, and an ambient glow. Just behind it, Ongaku dials things down and turns the volume up. Hidden and dimly lit, it's where music leads and the energy feels more underground. Come here when you're in the mood for a low-key night with high-key vibes – the kind that makes you appreciate creativity in all its forms. Ongaku, CLAP, DIFC, Gate Village Building 11, level 9. @ongakubyclap GABA Hidden in Dubai Marina, GABA moves at its own pace. By day, it's a serene tea lounge – rare organic brews, calm energy, soft light, and a quiet sense of ritual. But behind a discreet door, the mood shifts. The bar feels like an art-filled living room with a DJ – intimate, low-key, and effortlessly cool. Come when you're in the mood for a night that feels more like a house party only a few are invited to. GABA, M level, Marina Promenade, Dubai Marina. @ Hush Hush Hidden inside The Nice Guy, Hush Hush is the kind of speakeasy you won't stumble into by accident. No signs, no buzz – just velvet booths, low lighting, and the smooth pull of R&B and Hip Hop on rotation. The mood is seductive, the crowd in-the-know, and the vibe always on point. Come when you're feeling groovy and want to disappear into the music. Hush Hush, The Nice Guy, Sheikh Zayed Road, Ground Level, The Boulevard, Emirates Towers. @theniceguydubai Blind Tiger Behind a discreet door at Turtle Lagoon, Blind Tiger feels like a low-key escape. Walk into low-hung lanterns, deep wood tones, exotic textures, a mirrored ceiling, and a stylish aesthetic that nods to the roaring '20s. Blind Tiger is where you go if you love jazz music and when you're craving something low-lit but with just a hint of wild. It's intimate, it's moody. A little luxe, a little wild, always laid-back. Blind Tiger, Turtle Lagoon, Jumeirah Al Naseem. @blindtigerdxb Chanca by Coya Chanca by Coya used to be members-only, but now it's open to those who know where to look. It's Coya's late-night spot – the music sets the mood and shifts as the night goes on. Thursdays have a chill, refined Peruvian dinner vibe, while Saturdays turn up with dancing and groovy energy. The lighting stays intimate, the drinks are solid, and the music makes it easy to lose track of time. Go when you want a night that's lively and musical, yet somehow still intimate. Chanca by Coya, Inside Coya, Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2. @chancadubai Also read Your bar twin: Some of the best bars in Dubai for every personality Honeycomb Hi-Fi Honeycomb Hi-Fi, tucked behind a vinyl shop in Business Bay, feels like a private studio session. The warm wood interiors put the focus on sound – with DJs spinning carefully selected tunes every night. The izakaya-style menu is simple and perfect for a laid-back night. It's the spot when you're in the mood for a relaxed, music-focused vibe. Honeycomb Hi-Fi, Pullman Hotel, Business Bay. @honeycombhifi NYX NYX offers a darker, more secretive side beneath the polished glow of Gaia upstairs. Where Gaia feels bright and lively, NYX is low-lit and intimate, wrapped in crimson velvet and shadow. The entrance is discreet, the vibe deliberately elusive. It's a space for those who want to slip away from the spotlight and settle into something quiet and mysterious. Go late, keep it low-key, and don't be surprised if it becomes your favourite hidden spot. NYX, Gaia Dubai, DIFC Gate Village 4. @nyx__dxb Images: Instagram
Time Out Abu Dhabi
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The iconic COYA white party is coming back to Abu Dhabi
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What's On
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5 of the best restaurants in Dubai this weekend: May 30 to June 1
No plans? You do now… Outside is cancelled 'til further notice, but Dubai is in its glow-up era anyway. The temps are rising, but so is the lineup – which makes these 5 of the best restaurants in Dubai worth leaving the house for. Save this list. Above Eleven When the rooftop isn't enough, there's the rhythm. Ritmo Arriba is Above Eleven's new weekend vibe – a moody late-night line-up of Peruvian-Japanese favourites, pisco cocktails, and a live three-piece Latin band to turn up the tempo. On the menu? Think ceviches, bao, tartares and grilled anticuchos served in style, with cocktails that lean classic or fruit-forward (hello mango & mandarin). Offer: Ritmo 211 oriced at Dhs211 for three dishes and three drinks, Ritmo Libre priced at Dhs311 for three dishes and two hours of free-flow drinks Timings: Fridays & Saturdays, 8pm to midnight Location: Above Eleven, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah Contact: (0)4666 1407 . @aboveelevendubai Elaia, Pier 7 The newest name at Pier 7, Elaia brings a laid-back take on Mediterranean dining with a menu made for sharing. Expect dishes like crispy zucchini, melitzanosalata, grilled octopus, and salt-baked red snapper, plus wood-fired pizzas and a solid wine list. Inside, the space is low-lit, warm, and spacious – with Marina views if you're sitting outside. Offering: Mediterranean sharing plates, seafood, wood-fired pizzas, fresh breads and dips, curated wines. Timings: Daily, 12pm to 1am Location: Elaia, Pier 7, Dubai Marina Contact: (0)52 503 6910. @elaiadubai Antika Antika has relaunched its signature brunch – this time at its new home inside 25hours Hotel, and with an updated vibe. Expect a spread of hot and cold mezze, raw seafood and meats, grilled mains, and classic desserts like Kunafah – plus live music, belly dancers, and a DJ that keeps the afternoon going. Offering: A Levantine brunch with mezze, grilled meats, seafood, desserts, and live entertainment Packages: brunch is priced at Dhs320 (Non-Alcoholic), Dhs450 (Arak & Spirits), Dhs495 (Premium with Prosecco, Beer & Spirits). Timings: Saturdays, 2pm to 6pm Location: Antika, 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central Contact: (0)507359177. @antikadubai China Tang The iconic London-born Cantonese restaurant makes its Middle East debut at The Lana Promenade. Opulent, Art Deco glamour meets 1930s Shanghai. Think mirrored ceilings, stained glass, intricate wallpaper, and a moody, elegant cocktail bar. Offering: A refined take on Cantonese cuisine by Chef Li Zhenjun. Signature dishes include Xiao Long Bao, Sir David's Hot & Sour Soup, Whole Lobster with E-Fu Noodles, and the famous Beijing Duck – roasted in a custom oven and carved tableside. New Dubai exclusives include Foie Gras Cherries, Da Hong Pao Lamb Cutlets, and Honey-Glazed Beef Char Siu. Timings: Opening daily 12pm to 11pm Location: The Lana Promenade, Dorchester Collection, Marasi Bay Marina Contact: (0)4 295 7464. @chinatang_dubai Tatel The Entre Amigos Brunch at Tatel is stylish, buzzy, and full-on Spanish. Starters include crispy Andalusian-style squid, garlic shrimp, chicken croquetas, ceviche with mango and sweet potato, and a cold cuts + cheese board. Mains include creamy seafood rice or beef tenderloin with chimichurri. Desserts go big: Basque-style cheesecake and a rich chocolate cake with sea salt. Offer: Valencia package (non-alcoholic) priced at Dhs355, Madrid package (with Cava) priced at Dhs455, Dubai package (with Champagne) priced at Dhs725. Timings: Every Saturday, 2 pm to 6pm Location: TATEL, Downtown Dubai, Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection Contact: Tel: (0)4 215 2121 @ Images: Supplied/Instagram
