- 7 Tales
Seven Tales is located at Grovesnor House, hidden within chef Jason Atherton’s latest concept City Social Dubai — where Embassy bar used to be. Atherton’s 15th venture in his international portfolio, Seven Tales is a unique ‘Izakaya-styled speakeasy bar’. Inspired by Japanese culture, the bar, which sits on the 44th floor, is designed to take you back to 1960s Tokyo.
Address: Al Emreef St, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 402 2222
- Behind the Yellow Door
With super city views, Behind the Yellow Door opened in 2022, hidden behind Weslodge Saloon. Enter through a dedicated walkway in the restaurant’s kitchen (see what we mean about secret bars) and you’ll be greeted by a small dimly-lit and smoky room complete with plush carpets and provocative red lighting. So far, so speakeasy.
Address: Tower B, 68th Floor, JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +97143509288
- Electric Pawn Shop
If there was an award going for the coolest secret bar in Dubai, Electric Pawn Shop would be a shoo-in. Merging counter-culture, underground music and exceptional dining experiences, this Asian Mediterranean restaurant meets speakeasy is inspired by the 70s Chinatown of New York, complete with gritty interiors, exposed brick walls and graffiti, all bathed in a seductive red light.
Address: The H Dubai, 1 Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Centre, Trade Centre 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 586 5510
- Flashback Speakeasy Bar & Lounge
Its softly-lit interior harks back to the bygone area of 1920s glamour, while its live music scene – we’re talking Motown, jazz and smooth acoustics – is second to none. Yep, the Paramount Hotel’s Flashback Speakeasy Lounge is one of our favourite secret bars in Dubai, and for very good reason.
Address: Paramount Hotel, 57PR+HR, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 55 180 7559
- Gohan
Entry to Gohan is permitted one of two ways – during the day it’s through a rather unassuming door along a hallway in Emirates Towers (with zero branding so the best of luck), while at night you’ll have to make your way to a secret passageway between two of La Cantine du Faubourg’s grape fridges, which is where this chic secret venue lies. More food-focused than some speakeasies on the list, two walls of this underground mini restaurant are taken up by an open kitchen, where chefs get to work on Gohan’s Japanese street food-style menu of sashimi, sushi and maki, plus cold and hot dishes.
Address: Emirates Towers Hotel Entrance, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, 1st Floor Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 352 7105
- NIDO
A speakeasy meets tapas bar, Nido makes for a great spot to meet friends for a laidback Spanish dining experience. Nestled inside the Sheraton Grand Hotel, you could enter via the main door, but where would be the fun in that? Instead, why not scrub up on your Spanish and enter discreetly through Moe’s on 5th secret grape cellar…all you have to do is ask. Once you’re in, enjoy tasty tapas plates designed for sharing, creative mixed drinks and excellent vibes.
Address: Sheraton Grand Hotel, 5th Floor, 3 Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Centre, Trade Centre 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 333 3055
- Nobu Privé
Nobu Dubai, the ever-popular Japanese restaurant on the 22nd floor of Atlantis The Palm, is home to a new speakeasy. Featuring the stellar skyline views the new Nobu (which now occupies the former bridge suite on Atlantis The Palm) is known for, Nobu Privé aims to be a modern Japanese Izakaya type-bar. With 43 seats, entry is reserved for a limited few and comes with a rather hefty price-tag. You can either book ahead with a Dhs1000 minimum spend per person, or hope to be invited along once you’ve had dinner in Nobu.
Address: at Atlantis, 22nd floor, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 426 0760
- NYX
Perhaps one of the most exclusive secret bars in Dubai, NYX has been frequented by the likes of Rita Ora, 50 Cent and A$AP Rocky, so you’ll definitely be in good company (if you get in, that is). Limited to just 60 people, this intimate club is hidden within popular Greek hotspot Gaia and is accessed behind a hidden door blended well into the restaurant’s colourful souvenir shop. A far cry from the crisp white interiors that adorn its upstairs sister, inside you’ll be hit with red velvet sofas, clashing blue carpets and pink mirror-adorned walls and ceilings that give off some serious Studio 54 vibes.
Address: Podium Level, Gate Village 4, DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971525736219
- Samba Room
A dedicated space inside SushiSamba, Samba Room is where you’ll find the restaurant’s most vivid, high-energy, absolutely pumping Samba vibes. An exclusive, invite-only venue, Samba Room joined the trend of opening its (secret) doors to the public at the end of last year. It’s got its own private entrance, plus another entrance inside for the more intimate Samba Room private dining area. Decorated in rich reds and lush velvet furnishings, this is where you can enjoy the usual SushiSamba menu along with some very extravagant parties, including Casa de Samba every Thursday from 10pm.
Address: Level 51, St. Regis, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 278 4888
- Secret Room Dubai
If you ask us, a brilliant speakeasy nails two things. Firstly, a really cool secret door and secondly, a seriously cool vibe that sits in contrast to the venue it’s located in. And Secret Room Dubai sat within F.R.N.D.S Grand Cafe, gets it just right. Entering through a curtain and a mock Japanese market complete with real food (yes really) this speakeasy is one of the most creative in the city. And the creative vibe continues once you make your way in, with intricate handpainted murals lining the walls. The two-floor room has a huge DJ booth, in fact, this large secret bar in Dubai is actually more of a club.
Address: 57WJ+5W, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 52 885 7207
- Smoke & Mirrors
Tucked away inside the SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences in Business Bay, Smoke & Mirrors oozes old-world glamour. In true secret room style, the venue is tricky to find. To do so you must head to the loos inside restaurant Carna by Dario Cecchini on level 74 and walk through a door next to the toilets labelled ‘office’. Smoke & Mirrors boasts sensational views of the Downtown Dubai skyline and posh interiors. Think Mahogany floorboards, crystal chandeliers and an Art Deco bar. The leather armchairs and cigar cabinet add to an old boys’ club feel with a Latin-American touch.
Address: Marasi Dr, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 607 0757
- Suave
With its statement chandeliers, luxe suede interiors, deep red tassels and rare library of over 200 vintage records, Suave, which is located above Mediterranean restaurant Basko in Business Bay, will transport you right back to the swinging ’60s. Reached by a trippy mirrored spiral staircase, this sophisticated speakeasy serves up a selection of light bites and appetisers alongside its expertly crafted mixed drinks, and if you feel like dancing, eclectic DJ sets of jazz, disco, and old-school funk will keep you on your feet until the early hours.
Address: Opus Tower by Omniyat Designed by Zaha Hadid, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 58 551 9143
- The Other Side
Secret bars in Dubai don’t come more stylish than The Other Side, but then again what do you expect from a speakeasy designed by the team behind the likes of Cé La Vi, Miss Tess and Tabū, above which resides in the St Regis Downtown. Inspired by the after-dark bars of Tokyo, the moody space is defined by a red and black colour palette, plush sofas and disco balls, with a DJ booth inside an intricately designed oriental bar taking pride of place.
Address: 24th Floor at The St Regis Downtown, Marasi Dr, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- The Unlucky Cat
A huge lucky cat figure, otherwise known as a maneki-neko, beckons you in at this backstreet Asian bar, which is hidden along the corridor which leads to Miss Tess. A fun spot for dinner and drinks, a menu of Japanese mixed beverages utilising flavours such as plum will keep you well-watered, while its simple menu of bar food is sufficient for when you start to feel peckish. Somewhat surprisingly, Happy Hour takes place between 6pm-8pm and 11pm-closing every day, so it’s definitely worth stopping by for a few.
Address: Taj Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 50 498 8505
- Voyage by Amelia
Dubai’s best late-night dinner venue Amelia Restaurant and Lounge is cementing itself deeper into the city’s nightlife scene with its new secret room, Voyage. Not so secret that it’s being kept under wraps, the speakeasy-style venue, named Voyage by Amelia, is to be a private space you can visit on the second floor of the popular restaurant. The social-media savvy set, the hidden room, set behind a pendulum-inspired door, is open from Thursday to Saturday from 11pm.
Address: Amelia Lounge Address, Sky View, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 287 1369
