When you feel like hanging out and having a drink before heading out for ...Read more
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TimetableIn Dubai, the schedules are very extensible, but let's say that the day really starts only from 10 am and the cafes do not empty all day long. Here, the key word is to take your time, no one seems really stressed. You won't see anyone running around let alone the Emirati population. They often linger and chat as if time was stretched out, whether it's during the week or on the weekend. If there are no "aperitif" traditions, it is mostly in the late evening, after dinner and quite late that groups of friends meet again for tea and sometimes a shisha. The men are often with the men and the women together too. As for the expatriate population, they go out in the many hotel bars, quite late at night, and usually from Wednesday to Saturday included. During Ramadan, the hours change. During the day, the establishments are not very busy and most of the places open after sunset and all night long.
Budget & TipsDubai is expensive, even for a coffee. Hotel bars are particularly expensive, as the taxes on alcohol are very high. Everywhere you can pay with a credit card and you can leave a tip of about 5-10%, although this is not obligatory.
Age restrictionsAlcohol can only be consumed from the age of 21, and the legislation is very strict. It is difficult to enter bars under this age. Please note, however, that it is forbidden to consume alcohol on the public highway or in public spaces that are not regulated for it.
What's very localIn the middle of the afternoon, one can find in all the neighborhood cafes, hotel lobbies and shopping malls, Emirati friends and families who come to have tea, coffee and especially to eat some pastries. It is also very popular to smoke a shisha as soon as the sun goes down. It is not uncommon to drink coffee until very late in the evening, because we do not go to bed early in this city and remember that a large part of the population does not drink alcohol. You should definitely try the mentholated lemonades, the best of which can be found in historic Dubai.
KidsAlthough children are king in Dubai, they are not allowed in the bars and there will be no exceptions.
SmokersSmoking is allowed outside and in certain dedicated areas.
Tourist trapsThere are recruiters, but they will leave you alone fairly quickly if you do not show them any sign of interest.