Nowhere does rooftop bars quite like Dubai. With the city at your feet, these are the spots that legendary evenings are made of, offering dazzling views that guarantee memories as vivid as that sunset.
For front-row views of Business Bay and the Burj Khalifa, head to LookUp Rooftop Bar, while the likes of SoBe and Above Eleven give Palm Jumeirah vistas a Latin American twist. Bar 44 is the place for premium wines and sophisticated ambience — or maybe you’ll be wowed by the Japanese-inspired theatrics of Downtown’s TABŪ. Wherever you venture, these venues will take your night out to a whole new level…
ATTIKO
Overlooking the million-dollar yachts in Dubai Harbour and the towering spires of the Marina district, ATTIKO Dubai is a truly jaw-dropping nightspot.
Situated up on the 31st floor of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, it features both indoor and outdoor areas, so you can sip and socialize, or enjoy an intimate dinner à deux — while the Ain Dubai observation wheel and Palm Jumeirah island twinkle below. The décor is suitably stylish, too, with plush velvet armchairs, delicate glassware and lustrous palm trees.
Head to the stunning lookout for ATTIKO’s live DJ sets and happy hour artisan cocktails: think creations like limoncello blended with yuzu purée and prosecco.
LookUp Rooftop Bar
After dark, this sun-kissed poolside transforms into a sleek cocktail bar, with the lights of Business Bay and DIFC shimmering all around.
On the fifth floor of La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK, Dubai, Autograph Collection, you are high enough to enjoy the exclusive vibe of a rooftop setting, while still appreciating the awe-inspiring scale and splendor of this towering neighborhood — especially with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, lighting up the night sky.
Of course, staying at the hotel will grant you full access to the pool, facilities and that view — so why not spend the afternoon relaxing on a sunlounger, before easing into an evening of cocktails, shisha and dancing till late? LookUp Rooftop Bar offers an extended happy hour — the perfect opportunity to sample classic cocktails and red or white sangrias.
TABŪ
In the uppermost eaves of The St. Regis Downtown Dubai, high above the city on the 23rd floor, fine Japanese dining meets show-stopping entertainment, against a sparkling backdrop of city lights.
Part restaurant, part theatre, TABŪ features immersive performances by geishas, sumo wrestlers, samurais, martial artists and more, with dramatic décor to match: think floor-to-ceiling murals and crushed velvet banquettes, plus a large open-air terrace.
TABŪ’s cuisine makes a statement, too. Order the TABŪ sharing platter for a delectable mountain of sashimi, maki and nigiri, such as wagyu beef with truffle dust and caviar, and crispy soft-shell crab. Vegan options are plentiful, and the bar serves one of Dubai’s most extensive sake selections.
SoBe
With its unmistakable ‘fronds’ and perfect golden beaches in perfect arrangement, Palm Jumeirah island is especially impressive from above — and SoBe offers a bird’s-eye view.
SoBe is the only rooftop bar to feature 360° views of the Palm, plus Dubai Marina and the silvery sea beyond — it’s a breathtaking location at sunset, which it celebrates with daily happy hour cocktails.
The bar occupies the fifth floor of W Dubai – The Palm, and serves a Latin American-inspired menu of nibbles, sharers and mains: think tuna and tamarind ceviche, and tacos with pibil-marinated short rib, beans and pickled onion.
Above Eleven
Book a table at this open-air spot for a night of fresh Peruvian-Japanese dishes, work-of-art cocktails and a spectacular setting, with lofty views of Dubai’s iconic coast.
Above Eleven is located on the ‘trunk’ of Palm Jumeirah, on the rooftop of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, whose private beach and vast swimming pool stretch out before you — with the bright lights of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence beyond.
While its restaurant is perfect for romantic dinners and glamorous catch-ups with friends, Above Eleven also features an elegant lounge and bar, where mixologists and sommeliers serve premium wines, beers and cocktails — many with an Asian or Latin American twist, such as barrel-aged sake and zesty pisco sours. Add a chilled-out playlist and cozy booths, and you’ve got rooftop perfection.
Thia Skylounge
With its lush biophilic design, The Dubai EDITION‘s Thia Skylounge is an elevated oasis of cool green in this desert city. Yet for all its verdant abundance, Thia Skylounge never lets you forget you’re in Dubai: one glance outwards presents your eyes with a magnificent view of the mighty Burj Khalifa.
And befitting this city of superlatives, Thia Skylounge boasts arguably Dubai’s most spectacular infinity pool. Take one of the luxurious poolside cabanas and order from a refined cocktail and mocktail list.
With these views, it’ll be tough to look beyond The Garden, which combines gin, basil, cucumber syrup and lemon juice to fabulous effect. The food menu, meanwhile, is a thing of pared-back excellence, with the likes of crispy feta or roasted sea bass with pea purée.
Bar 44
As its name suggests, this bar is tucked away on the 44th floor of Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai — and with its soft leather sofas, speakeasy-style nooks and glossy black marble bar, the ambience is akin to an exclusive members’ club.
From this exclusive perch, a glass of Glenmorangie whisky or Laurent Perrier Champagne in hand, gaze down at Dubai Marina spread beneath you, a neighborhood that is especially dazzling after dark.
Bar 44 is a glamorous, luxurious setting, where sundowner cocktails turn into nights of popping corks, live music and dancing till the small hours. As for food, the menu features light bites and sharers with an Asian twist, such as yellowfin tuna tartare, chicken katsu bao and fresh oysters with yuzu pearls.
Level 43 Sky Lounge
You guessed it: this rooftop bar occupies the 43rd floor of Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, and is one of the highest cocktail lounges in the city. Out on its glass-fronted terrace, it feels as if you could reach out and touch the skyscrapers that flank Dubai’s main thoroughfare, with their flashing helipads and futuristic architecture. The Burj Khalifa glitters nearby, and on clear days you can even see where the city meets the desert.
Level 43 Sky Lounge hosts an impressive line-up of club nights and themed events too from live saxophone sets under the stars to ‘Ladies’ Night’ specials.
Level 43 Sky Lounge is perfect for any mood: come for light nibbles (such as calamari, sushi and grilled jumbo shrimp) and a tranquil sunset experience, or perhaps for signature Chika Chika shots — a feisty mix of tequila, mango purée, pineapple juice, lemon juice and honeydew liqueur — when dancing is in order.
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