So, a little birdie told me you don’t know what a Speakeasy easy. Let’s fix that right away. A speakeasy is a captivating concept that harks back to the prohibition era when establishments were kept secret and concealed from authorities and the public eye. These clandestine spots offer an intimate and exclusive experience, often requiring a special entrance or code to gain access. The allure lies in their mysterious ambience, unique themes, and expertly-crafted cocktails. Now that you know what they are, it’s time to be excited about it. I’m going to take you around Dubai’s best and most Elusive Speakeasy and secret bars in Dubai

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1. Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge

Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge, nestled within the Paramount Hotel in Dubai’s Business Bay, exudes the captivating charm of the 1920s. Its softly-lit interior sets the stage for live music performances featuring Motown, jazz, and smooth acoustics, making it an unparalleled experience.

Quick Deets
Location: Business Bay
Timings: Open daily from 6 pm–2 am
Contact: +971 55 180 7559
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

2. Socialista

If you seek exclusivity, Socialista, a Cuban lounge and intimate boite, is the perfect choice. Located in Cipriani, this late-night hideaway draws inspiration from old Havana, offering live music performances and an impressive selection of creative mixed drinks. Members can indulge in delectable Italian dishes from Cipriani, including the renowned truffle pizza. A minimum spend applies, and advance booking is required for this private and invite-only club.

Quick Deets
Location: Gate Village, Building 3 – towards DIFC Parking – Trade Centre
Timings: Open Tuesday to Friday from 10 pm to 3 am
Contact: +971 52 828 2727
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

3. Suave

Suave, situated above Basko Mediterranean restaurant in Business Bay, will transport you back to the swinging ’60s with its luxurious interiors, statement chandeliers, and a vast collection of vintage records. This sophisticated speakeasy delights patrons with expertly-crafted mixed drinks and a selection of light bites and appetisers. When you’re ready to hit the dance floor, eclectic DJ sets of jazz, disco, and old school funk will keep you grooving until the early hours. Minimum spend: AED 450 per person.

Quick Deets
Location: Business Bay
Timings: Open Thursdays to Saturdays from 10 pm until late
Contact: +971 58 551 9143
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

4. Behind The Yellow Door

One of Dubai’s newest speakeasies, Behind the Yellow Door, is tucked away inside Weslodge Saloon at JW Marriott Marquis. Its discreet entrance through the restaurant’s kitchen adds to the intrigue of this dimly-lit and smoky room, adorned with plush carpets and provocative red lighting. Here, high-energy funk meets electronic disco, creating a unique and vibrant ambiance. Enjoy the secrecy and allure of this exclusive spot where bottle service is available.

Quick Deets
Location: Emirates Park Tower 2 – Business Bay
Timings: Open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 pm to 3 am
Contact: +971 54 509 3025
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

5. Bund Lounge

Discover the hidden gem, Bund Lounge, within Michele Bonan-designed Shanghai ME in DIFC. This under-the-radar speakeasy has recently expanded its opening hours and undergone a refresh. With banging tunes and expert mixologists, Bund Lounge promises an unforgettable experience. Visit this secret spot, open Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 pm to 3 am, before it becomes the talk of the town.

Quick Deets
Location: Trade Centre – DIFC – Dubai
Timings: Open Thursday to Saturday from 12–3 am
Contact: 04 564 0505
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

6. Electric Pawn Shop

For the coolest and most eclectic experience, seek out Electric Pawn Shop. Inspired by the 70s Chinatown of New York, this Asian Mediterranean restaurant-meets-speakeasy boasts gritty interiors, exposed brick walls, and seductive red lighting. Its entrance isn’t easy to find, but once inside, you’ll be treated to Asian fusion fare, innovative mixed drinks, and top-notch DJs.

Quick Deets
Location: H Hotel Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 6 pm–1:30 am | Fri-Sat 6 pm–3 am
Contact: +971 50 586 5510
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

7. 7 Tales

Located on the 44th floor of Grovesnor House, Seven Tales is a unique ‘Izakaya-styled speakeasy bar’ inspired by 1960s Tokyo. With a capacity for around 40 people, this moody space offers a dark and intimate ambiance. Enjoy expertly-crafted mixed drinks and stunning views of the city skyline.

Quick Deets
Location: Dubai Marina – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 7 pm–3 am | closed Sundays
Contact: +971 4 402 2222
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

8. Galaxy Bar

For a sophisticated night in DIFC, head to the high-end cocktail lounge, Galaxy Bar. This intimate speakeasy accommodates around 30 people and offers a celestial experience with a menu inspired by constellations and celestial beings. To ensure entry, arrive early. Minimum spend: AED 2500 per couple.

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Quick Deets
Location: DIFC
Timings: Open Mondays to Wednesdays from 8 pm to 3 am and Thursdays to Saturdays from 9 pm to 4 am
Contact: +971 50 513 5908
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

9. Gohan

Gohan, a hidden gem within Jumeirah Emirates Towers, offers an underground dining experience with a focus on Japanese street food-style cuisine. Enter through an unassuming door along a hallway during the day, or find the secret passageway between two grape fridges in La Cantine du Faubourg at night. Once inside, indulge in delicious sashimi, sushi, maki, and other cold and hot dishes, accompanied by refreshing mixed drinks.

Quick Deets
Location: Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel 1st Floor – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Duba
Timings: Open daily from 12–4 pm, 7 pm–2 am | Fri-Sat 7 pm–2 am
Contact: +971 4 352 7105
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

10. Green Room

For a Gatsby-style experience, head to Green Room, a hideaway dining spot hidden within Soho Garden Palm Jumeirah. Accessible only through a restricted corridor, this speakeasy offers a chic ambiance with marble accents, art-deco-style wallpaper, and sparkling chandeliers. Wednesday nights feature three courses and three drinks for AED 200, while Mondays are reserved for ladies’ night with four drinks and a sharing platter for AED 175.

Quick Deets
Location: Dubai Studio City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Timings: Open daily from 9 am–6 pm | closed Saturday and Sunday
Contact: +971 4 352 7105
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

11. KnoX

KnoX, the hidden underground playground inside Andaz The Palm, challenges the status quo with its industrial decor, great drinks, and a lineup of live DJs. Separate from the main hotel, you’ll find this exclusive spot by heading across the driveway and down a staircase. A simple ‘two knox’ on the large metal door is all you need for entry.

Quick Deets
Location: Andaz Dubai – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai
Timings: Open Wednesdays to Sundays from 7 pm to 3 am.
Contact: +971 4 581 4039
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

12. NIDO

Nestled inside the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, NIDO combines the essence of a speakeasy with the flair of a tapas bar. For a secretive entrance, enter discreetly through Moe’s on 5th secret grape cellar. Inside, indulge in tasty Spanish tapas plates designed for sharing, creative mixed drinks, and a lively atmosphere.

Quick Deets
Location: 6 street at sheraton grand hotel – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 6 pm–2 am | closed Sundays
Contact: +971 4 333 3055
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

13. Voyage By Amelia

Voyage by Amelia, a speakeasy-style venue, is a private space located on the second floor of Amelia Restaurant and Lounge at Address Skyview Dubai, Downtown Dubai. This secret room offers an intimate atmosphere and is open from Thursday to Saturday from 11 pm onwards.

Quick Deets
Location: Amelia Lounge Address, Sky View – Downtown Dubai – Dubai
Timings: Thur-Sat 11 pm–3 am
Contact: +971 4 287 1369
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

14. NYX

NYX, an exclusive secret bar within Gaia in DIFC, attracts celebrities like Rita Ora, 50 Cent, and A$AP Rocky. With limited space for just 60 people, this intimate club boasts a Studio 54 vibe with red velvet sofas, clashing blue carpets, and pink mirror-adorned walls and ceilings. Enjoy the eclectic music and a memorable experience. Minimum spend: AED 650 per person on weekdays, AED 850 per person on weekends. Open daily from 10 pm to 3 am.

Quick Deets
Location: DIFC
Timings: Open daily from 10 pm to 3 am
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

15. Sinners

Indulge in after-hours mischief at Sinners, a new speakeasy located above La Carnita in the InterContinental Dubai Marina. Swathed in rich, ox-blood red velvet and vibrant bass vibrations, this plush spot offers a lively vibe.

Quick Deets
Location: intercontinental – Dubai Marina
Timings: Open Friday and Saturday from 11 pm–4 am
Contact: +971 58 540 6220
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

16. Smoke & Mirrors

Embrace old-world glamour at Smoke & Mirrors, a speakeasy tucked away inside the SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences in Business Bay. To find this elegant space, enter through a door next to the toilets labelled ‘office’ inside restaurant Carna by Dario Cecchini on level 74. With Mahogany floorboards, crystal chandeliers, and an art deco bar, this venue offers stunning views of the Downtown Dubai skyline.

Quick Deets
Location: SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences – Level 74 – Marasi Dr – Business Bay – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 5 pm–2 am
Contact: +971 50 738 2280
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

17. The Other Side

Designed by the team behind Cé La Vi, Miss Tess, and Tabū, The Other Side resides above Tabu in The St Regis Downtown Dubai. Inspired by Tokyo’s after-dark bars, this moody space features a red and black colour palette, plush sofas, and disco balls, creating a vibrant and stylish ambiance. Let the expert mixologists delight you with their concoctions while you enjoy the DJ’s tunes until 4 am.

Quick Deets
Location: 24th Floor at The St Regis Downtown – Marasi Dr – Business Bay – Dubai
Timings: Open Tuesday and Friday from 11 pm–3 am | Saturdays 6–9 pm | closed all other days of the week
Contact: +971 4 456 9455
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

18. Ongaku

Translating to ‘music’ in Japanese, Ongaku inside CLAP Dubai in DIFC is a late-night haven for hedonists. This speakeasy is designed to encourage diners to extend their night into the early hours with regular guest DJs, signature cocktails, and delectable Asian bites. Enjoy the breathtaking skyline views alongside the beats. Free entry from Monday to Wednesday, and a minimum spend of AED 500 applies on Thursdays to Sundays from 10 pm onwards.

Quick Deets
Location: Gate Village, Building 3 – Level 9 – 11th St – DIFC – Dubai
Timings: Open Thursday to Saturday from 10 pm–3 am
Contact: +971 4 569 3820
Visit their website for more information or bookings.

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