What a night…

Dubai is a welcome playground for party people. But it’s easy to forget the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen. Every year, without fail, What’s On recognises the faces and places that make the city come alive in the What’s On Nightlife Awards.

Across 18 categories, the awards focus on the UAE’s best nightlife venues, party nights, promo nights so much more.

This year’s winners were revealed at the What’s On Nightlife Awards party on October 26 at the gorgeous Cove Beach Dubai, and it shaped up to be a right old knees-up. Think ‘friendly’ rather than ‘formal’ and ‘lively’ rather than ‘lame’.

You can see all of this year’s nominees right here.

Without further ado, raise your glass to this year’s winners…

BEST HAPPY HOUR

WINNER: SEVEN SISTERS

Looking for a brilliant place to catch up with friends and colleagues after work? Look no further than Seven Sisters Dubai where a daily happy hour deal will keep you entertained in the most wallet-friendly way between 6pm and 8pm.

@sevensistersdubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: BABY Q

With 50 per cent off food and drinks between 4pm and 8pm, Baby Q is the ultimate after-work haunt.

@babyqdubai

 

BEST LIVE MUSIC NIGHT

WINNER: LIMITED EDITION, Q’S BAR AND LOUNGE

The world of jazz is thriving in Dubai, and that’s all thanks to Q’s. Intimate, effortlessly cool, and quality bands – we particularly loved Dubai singer-songwriter Layla Kardan’s recent residency. Bring on the new season…

@qsbarandlounge_dubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: THE TENT AT BLA BLA DUBAI

From the Shakespeare-inspired stage to the ambient lighting system, The Tent is an ideal choice for your live music fix.

@blabladubai

 

BEST WINE AND CHEESE NIGHT

WINNER: JONES THE GROCER AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

Aussie-born gastro-joint, Jones the Grocer is a popular spot to dine or just chill for many of us. Their wine and cheese night which is held every Thursday evening will get you two hours of free-flowing red or white wine and a huge cheese board bursting with artisanal cheeses.

@jonesuae

HIGHLY COMMENDED: GRAPESKIN AT LA VILLE HOTEL & SUITES CITY WALK DUBAI

With one of the largest wine selections in the city, the wine and cheese experience at Grapeskin is not to be missed.

@grapeskindubai

 

BEST QUIZ NIGHT

WINNER: PUBLIQUE

free drink Publique

Cool Alpine bar Publique offers a cosy ski chalet escape in the heart of the city. When they launched their brilliant themed quiz nights, ranging from Friends to Harry Potter, they sold out in seconds.

@publiquedubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: [U]BK

ubk

Put your knowledge to the test at [U]BK’s brilliantly entertaining quiz night.

@ubkdubai

 

BEST PUB/SPORTS BAR

WINNER: McGETTIGAN’S JLT

McGettigans JLT

No one can deny that McGettigan’s JLT is undoubtably one of the city’s most popular venues. The Dubai stalwart is a great spot to meet up with mates for drinks, indulge in Irish grub or watch the latest match thus making it a natural choice for our Best Pub.

@mcgettigansjlt

HIGHLY COMMENDED: TOPGOLF DUBAI

Topgolf Dubai Emirates Golf Club

Where better to grab a pint and a game than Dubai’s brilliant entertainment destination, TopGolf?

@topgolfdubai

 

BEST DINNER AND A SHOW

WINNER: BILLIONAIRE DUBAI

The level of talent on stage at Billionaire Dubai is incomparable, with former Cirque Du Soleil performers and superstar singers. Guests sit around white clothed tables and swing napkins in this high-energy dining experience.

@billionairedubaiofficial

HIGHLY COMMENDED: THE THEATER DUBAI

With plethora of talent on stage each night, guests are guaranteed to be captivated by this incredible show.

@thetheaterdubai

 

BEST AFTER-BRUNCH VENUE

WINNER: LOCK, STOCK & BARREL JBR

After an afternoon of brunching, you want to continue the day on a high, so make your way to Lock, Stock and Barrel for a lively vibe. The JBR branch in particular has a hedonistic crowd and a live band that keep the vibe alive until the early hours.

@lockstockdubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: MAIDEN SHANGHAI DUBAI AT FIVE PALM JUMEIRAH

maiden-shanghai-

With unbeatable views and a great drinks deal, make sure you add Maiden Shanghai’s after-brunch event to your must-visit list.

@maidenshanghaidubai

 

BEST SUNDOWNER SPOT

WINNER: DRIFT BEACH DUBAI AT ONE&ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE

For epic sundowners there can be no more worthy spot than luxe beach club and restaurant, Drift Beach Dubai. The venue has a beachside bar with a perfect sunset view, from which to sip chilled glasses of rosé and see the sun set behind the Arabian Gulf.

@driftbeachdubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: OBSERVATORY BAR & GRILL

With panoramic Marina views from the 52nd floor, there’s sunset views aplenty at Observatory Bar & Grill.

@observatorydubai

 

BEST ROOFTOP BAR

WINNER: CÉ LA VI DUBAI

Located on the 54th floor of the stunning Address Sky View hotel, Cé La Vi Dubai offers unparalleled views of Burj Khalifa and the Downtown Dubai skyline. With a large wrap-around terrace and an oh-so-Instagrammable swing seat, the sky-high restaurant and bar is a winner on all accounts.

@celavidubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: FOLLY BY NICK AND SCOTT

With arguably one of Dubai’s prettiest views, Folly has all you need to make a perfect rooftop bar.

@follydubai

 

BEST BEACH CLUB

WINNER: TWIGGY BY LA CANTINE

twiggy dubai

Beach clubs aren’t always flip-flop-featuring, cold-beer-and-DJs. Sometimes they’re swanky, rose-sipping, sushi-dipping luxury days out. The undisputed king of that second category in 2021 is this Park Hyatt hideaway. The sprawling ‘lagoon’ looks out over the Creek, where you could spot a flock of flamingos flying past, as you sip on a fancy cocktail and dine on the best poolside snacks in Dubai.

@twiggydubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: COVE BEACH DUBAI

With multiple pools, a view of the world’s tallest wheel and a pristine sandy beach, a day at Cove Beach is a day well-spent.

@covebeachdubai

 

BEST BEACH BAR

WINNER: APRONS & HAMMERS BEACH HOUSE

Aprons & Hammers Beach House is the ultimate day-to-night beach bar. With sun beds on the beach, cool music and great cocktails by day, it turns into a chic setting for dinner or drinks by night with epic Dubai Marina skyline views.

@apronsandhammers

HIGHLY COMMENDED: PALM BAY DUBAI

Great vibes are guaranteed at Club Vista Mare spot Palm Bay. Throughout winter, the alfresco tables are heaving with happy punters.

@palmbaydubai

 

BEST DATE NIGHT SPOT

WINNER: INDOCHINE DUBAI

 

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A post shared by Indochine DXB (@indochinedxb)

Impress your date with an unforgettable dinner at the effortlessly stylish Indochine. Originally rising to recognition with its flagship restaurant in NYC, Indochine’s first Middle East location resides in the equally fashionable DIFC district. Amid the banquette seating, wallpaper with palm fronds and intimate dim lighting, indulge in French-Vietnamese specialities and signature cocktails.

@indochinedxb

HIGHLY COMMENDED: PRIME68 AT JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS HOTEL DUBAI

Make your next date night a special one at premium steakhouse, Prime68. The Downtown Dubai views are impressive, let alone the tasty menu and impeccable service.

@prime68dxb

 

BEST LADIES’ DAY

WINNER: ROSÉ ALL DAY AT COVE BEACH DUBAI

Cove Beach Ladies Day

With an excellent line up of DJs, live entertainment, free-flowing rose and an unbeatable location, it’s no surprise that Cove Beach’s ladies’ day keeps the crowds coming back every single week.

@covebeachdubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: DAYSIES LADIES DAY AT WHITE BEACH

whitebeachrestuarant-cabana

Park yourself on a comfortable lounger every Tuesday at White Beach, and soak up the amazing atmosphere.

@whitebeach

 

BEST LADIES’ NIGHT

WINNER: IRIS DUBAI

iris-dubai-article

Tuesdays are all about the girls at Iris Dubai. The Meydan hotspot offers a brilliant deal with unlimited drinks, where for two hours you can sip on cocktails, house pours and enjoy a food platter for Dhs160. It’s no surprise that you voted Iris Dubai as your favourite ladies’ night.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SALUTE BELLA AT TRATTORIA BY CINQUE

TRATTORIA BY CINQUE

TRATTORIA BY CINQUE

Five drinks and three authentic Italian courses for Dhs150? We can see why you love the ladies’ night at Trattoria by Cinque!

@cinquetrattoriadubai

 

BEST EVENING BRUNCH

WINNER: SKYLINE THURSDAY AT THE PENTHOUSE

penthouse five palm jumeirah

Helping you get your weekend started in style, The Penthouse’s weekly Thursday evening brunch is a no-brainer. With regular international DJs, delicious Japanese cuisine and brilliant views of Dubai Marina, you really can’t go wrong.

@thepenthousedubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: THE LATE LATE BRUNCH BY SECRET PARTIES AT 1-OAK DUBAI

secret parties new brunch in Dubai

If there’s one place to be on a Saturday night, it’s 1-Oak.

@1oakdxbofficial @secretparties_

 

BEST PARTY BRUNCH

WINNER: TROPICAL BRUNCH AT ZERO GRAVITY

Zero Gravity Pool article

Zero Gravity are fully aware of the components that make up an awesome party brunch and it is exactly what they serve up. Private pool and beach access – check, unlimited food and beverages – check, epic beats – check and great beats – check. In fact, Canadian singer, Justin Bieber loved the venue so much, he visited the venue twice in three days.

@zerogravitydubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: CANDYPANTS BRUNCH REFINED AT AKIRA BACK

A relatively new addition to the scene, but one that has won the hearts of our brunching public voters.

@akirabackdubai @candypantsdxb

 

BEST NEWCOMER

WINNER: BLA BLA DUBAI

To stand out in an ever-changing city like Dubai, you need to come up with something pretty impressive. Part beach club, part-restaurant, many bars and even a slide, Bla Bla is impossible not to notice and caught the attention of everyone when it opened at the beginning of the year. A stellar day-to-night spot, the experience is completely flexible, offering a chilled spot to relax, and a heady night on the tiles all under one roof.

@blabladubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: KOKO BAY

koko bay

An ideal spot to watch the world go by, Koko Bay’s Bali-inspired interiors won over the city when it opened at the end of last year.

@kokobayuae

 

NIGHTLIFE VENUE OF THE YEAR

WINNER: SEVEN SISTERS DUBAI

In order to become the nightlife venue of the year, you need to be able to guarantee three key things: atmosphere, quality, and originality. Seven Sisters ticks all the boxes and then some, with no understanding of the words ‘slow night’. A fail-safe place where you’ll always find a fun crowd, this venue continues to raise the bar year on year.

@sevensistersdubai

HIGHLY COMMENDED: IRIS DUBAI

Since winning What’s On’s Nightlife Newcomer award in 2020, Iris Meydan has gone from strength to strength.

@irisdubai