B. Lounge
This outdoor bar had a summer revamp and now it’s back better than ever. Sitting under the palm trees with a budget bucket of chilled hops is an experience that’s hard to beat. With offers throughout the week, it lets you have the time of your life without emptying your wallet.
Open daily 9am-midnight. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road East (02 677 3333).
Buddha-Bar Beach
The legendary brand now has a home on Saadiyat Beach (possibly the capital’s most beautiful stretch of golden sand). It’s an impressive setting and the only difficulty is choosing whether you want to collapse into one of the squishy bean bags on the sand, or relax on a white sofa on the decking. Either way, you’ll be in a prime location for watching the sun vanish over the waters of the Gulf. Keep an eye out for dolphins enjoying the surf, too.
Sun-Wed noon-4pm & 5pm-1am; Thu-Sat noon-4pm & 5pm-2am. St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8888).
Cabana Beach Bar & Grill
This quaint building is another place with a location so perfect it’s almost hard to believe. Found right on the sandy shores of the Corniche, you can feel the sand between your toes as you sip on mixed drinks and dine on top bar food. . Sounds just awful, doesn’t it?
Open daily 10am-11pm. Nation Riviera Beach Club, Corniche Road West (02 694 4553).
Key West
Name any box that needs checking for a beach bar and you’ll find it suitably crossed off at Key West. Found at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai at Pearl Jumeira, this spot has super-tasty Caribbean bites to eat (it also won Time Out Dubai’s Best Outdoor Restaurant 2019 award), exotic mixed drinks and all those holiday feels. The sea views are unrivalled.
Open daily 5pm-11pm. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Pearl Jumeira (04 376 6000).
Nasma Beachfront Bar
Just steps away from the end of the boardwalk that leads out onto the white sands of Saadiyat Beach, this venue oozes island vibes, with comfy sofas and slouchy beanbags throughout the shaded area. Plus, with flower pots hanging from the bar and colourful hats covering one wall, it’s the very definition of an Insta-worthy bar. The fruity mixed drinks are worth your money, too.
Open daily 11am-midnight. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 697 0000).
Palm Grill
Having recently renovated and improved its outside bar area, Palm Grill is an outstanding spot to head to for a couple of bevvies and some superb sundowner action. With views of the Arabian Gulf and the towering Ain Dubai on Bluewaters, you’ll forget all about your next deadline and you can pretend that you’re still on your holidays for a few hours – or, indeed, if you’re actually on holiday, enjoy, we’re not jealous at all…
Open daily noon-11pm. The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, JBR (04 318 6150).
The Beach House
If you’re on Palm Jumeirah, this is the sundowner spot you’ve been searching for. It’s classy, elegant, but also totally flip flop-friendly, so pretentiousness isn’t a problem. Bag yourself a low-slung sofa, kick back and enjoy the view from one of the most chilled-out bars you’ll find in this part of town. The food is well worth checking out, too.
Open daily noon-1.30am. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, Palm Jumeirah (04 567 8999).
