Acoustic solos, rock bands, open mic nights and more…

Tired of your usual rotation of ladies’ nights, happy hours and brunches? We know just what you’re looking for – live music.

In Dubai, it’s becoming increasingly popular for restaurants and bars to have weekly residencies from musicians and bands that cater to all tastes. Whether it’s rock bands, acoustic solos and duos, guitarists, or even if you’re looking to take centre stage yourself, we’ve rounded up a bunch to keep you busy.

Here are 11 of the best places to catch live music in Dubai…

Everyday: Hard Rock Cafe

Arguably one of Dubai’s most famous live music venues, Hard Rock Cafe puts on regular local and international acts. You can catch live music on a daily basis, from Lady J & the Vagabonds to The Distillers. Keep an eye out for big act announcements too.

Hard Rock Cafe Dubai, Festival City Mall, 8.30pm to midnight, daily. Tel: (04) 232 8900. Facebook.com/hrcdubai

Everyday: Q’s Bar & Lounge, Palazzo Versace

Designed by R&B legend, Quincy Jones, Q’s Bar and Lounge at the Palazzo Versace is the epitome of old school cool with its plush leather seating and mahogany tables. Emerging artists perform throughout the year and are hand-picked by Jones himself. From June 4 to August 17, Brenna Whitaker will be performing vintage Jazz.

Q’s Bar and Lounge, Palazzo Versace, Dubai, daily 7pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 556 8865. palazzoversace.ae

Sunday: Treehouse

Every Sunday at Treehouse Dubai The Remedy by Jaymie Deville bring live R&B and soul acoustic sets to the picture-perfect Business Bay bar. The al fresco spot has gone undercover for the summer, and ladies can also take advantage of unlimited rose wine for Dhs125.

Treehouse, Taj Dubai, Business Bay, 7pm to 12am, Sundays. Tel: (052) 777 6953. facebook.com/Treehousedxb

Monday: Vii

Vii, Conrad Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Monday, 8pm onwards. Tel: (050) 169 6777. facebook.com/ViiDubai

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: Lock Stock & Barrel

Lock Stock and Barrel’s three resident bands switch between the Barsha Heights and JBR venues three times a week. The acoustic band 13 Daze, rockers Gorgeous George and newest members, About Last Night alternate on Monday and Wednesday from 10.30pm, and Friday from 11pm between the two.

Lock, Stock & Barrel, Grand Millennium, Barsha Heights and Rixos Premium, JBR, Monday and Wednesday from 10.30pm and Friday from 11pm. Tel: (058) 836 2891 (JBR) or (04) 514 9195 (Barsha Heights). lsb-dubai.com

Monday and Tuesday: Iris

On Monday’s, Business Bay rooftop, Iris bring you acoustic artist, Danny Aridi, live from 6pm to 9pm in their Chill Out Sessions. Tuesday will see them turn it up a notch with non-stop live entertainment and shows from a range of Dubai’s best musicians and artists from 9pm.

Iris, Oberoi Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, Monday, 6pm to 9pm and Saturday, 9pm onwards. Tel: (056) 951 1442. oberoihotels.com

Wednesday: PizzaExpress Live

Head to Pizza Express Live on a Thursday night to take advantage of their happy hour beverages, Dhs25 from 4pm to 8pm, then enjoy their drunch packages from 8pm to 11pm where you’ll get five drinks for Dhs150. Then dance the night away to the live bands that bring the house down.

PizzaExpress Live UAE, Doubletree by Hilton Bay Square, Business Bay, 8pm onwards, Wednesday. Tel: (04) 566 5722. pizzaexpress.ae

Thursday: Qwerty

Seeing in the weekend at Media One Hotel, Josh McCartney takes to the stage at gastrobar Qwerty every Thursday. His two-hour set at the venue features acoustic covers of pop and rock hits played to the post-work crowd.

Qwerty, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, Thursday, 6pm to 10pm. Tel: (04) 427 1000. mediaonehotel.com

Friday: The lion by Nick & Scott

Every Friday from 4pm, The Lion by Nick & Scott present an open mic night. If you fancy belting out some tunes, just bring your own instrument and entertain the crowd. It’s free to play.

The lion by Nick & Scott, H Hotel, Downtown Dubai, open mic night 4pm til late, free to play and attend. Tel: (04) 359 2366. facebook.com/TheLionDubai

And if you’re feeling brave…

Sunday: Tribeca

For those that fancy themselves a bit of the action, Tribeca hold an open mic night called #GOPLAYTHEWORLD every Sunday from 8pm, hosted by grassroots music activist, Abbo. It offers up the floor to budding singers and musicians.

Tribeca, Level 1, JA Ocean View Hotel, 8pm onwards, Sunday. Tel: (050) 345 6067. tribeca.ae

Wednesday: PizzaExpress Live

On Wednesdays, Pizza Express Live puts on an open mic night which is a great opportunity for local singers to show off what they’ve got. If you fancy taking to the stage, registration is from 7pm but head there early to take advantage of happy hour beverages, Dhs25 from 4pm to 8pm every day.

PizzaExpress Live UAE, Doubletree by Hilton Bay Square, Business Bay, 8pm onwards, Wednesday. Tel: (04) 566 5722. pizzaexpress.ae

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