You’ll be spoiled for choice at this lively Meydan hotspot…

When Soho Garden was first announced, promising it was here to ‘shake up Dubai’s nightlife scene’, we were skeptical. What could a Meydan bar bring to the city that we couldn’t already find closer home?

But the new nightlife complex, impressed us. A leafy archway covered in fairy lights guides you down into the venue, which is a sprawling outdoor space split into four separate bars – The Glasshouse, Negroni Bellini Bar and Tiki, and you’re welcome to perch up at one, or make your way around them all.

We weren’t overly impressed with the menu when Soho Garden first opened, but it’s had an overhaul over summer and the new ‘Mediterranean Brasserie’ menu is well worth heading down pre-party for.

The menu is a mixed bag of British, Mediterranean and American dishes with an influence from all over, in a bid it caters to all tastes. Our tip: Try the beef carpaccio, it’s a must-try dish of thin slithers of tender beef, finished with white truffle, lemon and horseradish, which gives it a welcome kick. A selection of starters is a great option for big groups, as they’re all designed to be shared.

Soho Garden is open five nights a week, with a different themed event each night, each with its own identity, including a ladies’ night on Wednesdays, an international house act on Thursdays and Friday when the Ibiza stalwarts Cafe Mambo set up camp. All nights are busy – especially ladies’ night (there’s free wine until 1am for ladies, which always helps) – and you can expect a big party atmosphere.

Another tip: give their Saturday night a whirl – the tempo drops considerably, thanks to acoustic sets aand bar takeovers from some cool London bars. It makes for a chilled way to draw the weekend to a close.

While this venue might focus more on the drinks,  you’re missing a trick if you don’t give the food a go. Yes, service can be a little slow – don’t expect a quick dinner experience – but it’s worth the wait, and the setting helps to make up for it.

Overall the food, atmosphere and ‘four for the price of one’ bar set up makes Soho Garden a fun, winning formul for a grat night out – and definitely worth the ride out. Taxi!

Soho Garden, Meydan, Dubai, Weds to Sat, 7pm to 3am (food until 12am), Sun and Mon closed. Tel: (056) 82 22 559. sohogardendxb.com

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