What’s On has details of new air-conditioned bar tents opening this summer including at Barasti and Tamanya. Plus new indoor bars in Dubai.

More…
– New brunches
– Karaoke bars
– Best group activities

As much as we love our outdoor bars in Dubai, with summer well and truly upon us, it’s just too darn sweaty to be outside for long.

Dubai’s long-standing Barasti bar may be better known as the go-to spot for Friday tanning on the beach, but it’s also set to become the go-to spot for cooling off, too.

An ambitious outdoor glass tent has been built to cover the entire middle deck – with the air conditioning on full blast at an agreeable 22 degrees.

Barasti

Service will continue as normal inside the tent with TV screens covering big sporting events throughout the year including Wimbledon, The US Open, the Rugby World Cup and the Champions League final on June 6.

Meanwhile, the Tamanya terrace rooftop bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel, famous for its Electric Days parties, is also going undercover for the summer. Boasting the first rooftop-lounge, air-conditioned tent, Tamanya terrace will continue staging its music events through the summer. The official opening night on June 2 features DJ’s C Groove and Nisha Lee.

Tamanya Terrace

3 new indoor bars in Dubai to try

AND LOUNGE
In a city that boasts quite a straight-laced bar culture, the weird and wonderful world of And Lounge cheerfully breaks the mould. The new hotspot conjures up the feeling of a gentlemen’s club festooned with an array of pop culture artwork on its walls, mismatched leather sofas and adorable waiters in natty bow ties who are ready, willing and able to serve you the evening’s concoctions. If you’re not a cocktail aficionado, you might find the menu a little intimidating. But there’s nothing ominous here; drinks are served in cartoon mugs, retro candies substitute the conventional bowl of peanuts, and fresh takes on old jazz create a toe-tapping vibe. A small selection of the usual light bites is also on offer, but it’s the atmosphere and the alchemists that’ll keep you coming back.

The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, Tues to Fri 6pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 5519698. Metro: Dubai Marina. theaddress.com

And Lounge

LEVEL 43
Thanks to its near-360 degree vista and sky-high position, Level 43 boasts one of the best views of the city. Virtually none of Dubai’s iconic buildings are hidden, from Meydan and Burj Khalifa to the east, Burj Al Arab to the south, World Islands to the west, and Emirates Towers to the north. The main seating and mingling area runs beside Sheikh Zayed Road and, thanks to the smart installation of glass barriers around the outside of the venue, everything can still be absorbed, even if you’d prefer to be seated at the low-set sofas as opposed to higher bar tables near the DJ booth. Great during summer and winter, Level 43 is an everyman location with an exceptional view that shouldn’t be missed.

Four Points By Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily 6pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 3230333. Metro: Financial Centre. level43lounge.com

Level 43

K LOUNGE
Whether you croon like Bublé or croak like Britney, it is a universal truth that everybody loves a bit of karaoke – once your pals have given you an encouraging shove onto the stage of course. K Lounge is a dinky yet upscale new karaoke bar in Souk Madinat with plush purple leather booths and neon lighting. At the back of the room is a bar and a miniature stage with a smoke machine that’s straight out of a soft rock video from 1984. Each of K Lounge’s cosy tables comes with an iPad offering almost 50,000 song choices covering hits in English, French, Spanish and Russian. An Arabic selection is coming soon. The hi-tech theme continues with courageous punters using a wireless microphone to sing their preferred song. The night What’s On dropped by, there were some pretty decent singers giving it their all. Of course, there were some weaker performances as well. But in between laughter, a few awkward dance moves and the warbling, visitors to K Lounge can nibble on cheese platters, and traditional Arabic spreads served in elegant three-tiered afternoon tea stands.

Souk Madinat, Dubai, daily 11am to late (terrace), Tue to Sat 8pm to late (karaoke). Tel: (04) 4585858. Taxi: Souk Madinat. klounge.ae

K Lounge