Dubai is known around the world for having an incredible skyline, and there’s no better way to enjoy it than on a rooftop bar with unparalleled views of the city’s most famous landmarks.
From happy hour until the early hours, Dubai is famous for having sky-high bars in every corner of the emirate. Sip cocktails 155 metres (509 feet) above street level, or watch as the sun sets over the city at an urban rooftop oasis.
Atelier M
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Cocktails, $$$
Courtesy of Atelier M
Occupying the seventh to the ninth floors, Atelier M sits on top of Pier 7 – a tower of seven restaurants overlooking Dubai Marina. The three-storey venue houses an elegant Mediterranean restaurant on level one and an indoor bar with a resident DJ and pool table on level two, but its highest floor is its most popular. Designed with a neon-lit shisha bar that opens to the skies, Atelier M offers spectacular sweeping views of the city.
This open-air terrace with an indoor bar, 155 metres (509 feet) above ground, is named after the floor it sits on. Budding photographers are known to come at dusk to capture the sunset over the city, as it has views over Dubai’s busy Sheikh Zayed Road. Decorated with blue-violet lights and garden furniture, the stylish terrace is the perfect place to soak up Dubai’s vibrant and buzzing cityscape. The seafood and sushi menu is complemented by an extensive array of mocktails and cocktails. Try the Lycheeni cocktail, a delicious mix of lychee juice and vodka.
On top of Jumeirah’s famous Four Seasons Resort, Mercury Lounge offers some of the most incredible views of the city. The bar’s expansive vista stretches from the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai to the Burj Al Arab in Jumeirah. The decor is inspired by the Mediterranean, with colourful orange candy-stripe canopies and chic beige furniture. The lounge hosts daily aperitivo sessions with complimentary snacks from 6pm to 8pm and an upscale ladies’ night each Wednesday when women receive two complimentary glasses of prosecco between 8pm and 10pm. Be sure to try nibbles from its raw bar, and order oysters that will nicely complement a spicy bloody mary.
Bar, Tapas, European, Vegetarian, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, $$$
Although the Siddharta Lounge may only be four storeys high, it’s an excellent spot for sipping cocktails at sunset while overlooking Dubai Marina. With Asian-themed decor across an indoor restaurant and stepped al fresco terrace, the lounge has a relaxed, Zen vibe. Daily happy hours run from 5pm until 8pm, and meals range from healthy vegetarian plates to hearty and meaty dishes.
With its Art Deco-style facade and contemporary street art adorning the walls, SoBe’s decor is inspired by Miami’s South Beach neighbourhood. With sweeping 360-degree panoramas from the seventh floor, the rooftop bar offers unobstructed views over Dubai’s palm-shaped island. The dress code is casual, which suits the after-pool-party crowd gravitating up from the W’s Wet Deck located below. SoBe’s happy hour runs Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 7pm, and its Wednesday ladies’ night offers four free drinks to women. After a few cocktails, be sure to try its bar menu, which features cod tacos, sweet baked apples and more.
Comprising two terraces – Marina View Bar and City View Lounge – The Penthouse’s panoramas are spectacular. An exciting adults-only day club and evening lounge, the rooftop bar offers views from 16 floors up. You’ll see the Dubai Marina skyline on one side and the Jumeirah coastline on the other. The decor is sleek and minimal, with comfortable white lounge chairs and a sparkling infinity pool. Be sure to order the Five Mojito – rum, mint and sugar served with passion fruit. Popular weekly highlights include Monday’s urban house nights, disco-dedicated music on Wednesdays and an EDM-themed Thursday evening session.
Facing the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, this urban rooftop oasis is the perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The deck is particularly popular in the summer months, with a fully air-conditioned transparent tent ideal for the city’s sweltering heat. Treehouse is famous for its expertly mixed, elaborate cocktails, including Kiss From a Rose made from rose-infused gin, bamboo shoots, avocado and pear liqueur, celery bitters, lime juice and agave. Keep an eye on its website for promotional nights, and its happy hour runs daily from 6pm to 9pm.
