If you love live music in Dubai – you’re not alone. The scene is absolutely buzzing at the moment, with global names jetting in almost weekly.

But local live music in Dubai is also booming, with pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels getting in on the act.

The city is spoiled for choice as artists take to the stage showcasing everything from jazz to dance music, offering something different every day of the week.

Whatever your mood, there’s a place to catch live music in Dubai to suit. Read on for our top picks.

Barasti

This stalwart of Dubai’s nightlife scene has live music playing every night of the week (yep, you read that right). A day-to-night beachside venue, as soon as the evening rolls out around, bands and musicians take to the stage. Over the weekend, resident band Sweet Chilli Jam gets people up on their feet by playing popular covers of songs.
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Dubai Marina (04 318 1313).

Club Seven

If you’re not fussed by big names, and more concerned with serious talent, a night at Filipino nightclub, Club Seven has your name all over it. At the BurJuman bar, a troupe of singers and dancers take to the stage every night of the week, and we’re not kidding when we say you’ll be blown away by the ability of these performers. Not only that, the ambience is light with the crowd often taking to the dance floor mid-show. Take our word for it, this is a really great night out.
Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel, clubsevemdubai.com (04 377 1213).

Fibber Magee’s

Get ready for some Irish fun (and a pint of the black stuff) at this Irish pub. Fibber’s is super-popular for live music in Dubai, with good reason – and there’s live music every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at this cosy pub. The bands and musicians may change, but always have an Irish theme (obvs).
Behind Saeed Tower One, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 332 2400).

Hard Rock Cafe

The world-famous US restaurant and bar is now serving up live music every day through the week. And they also bring in huge international acts throughout the course of the year. In short, if you love live music, get yourself down to the Hardrock Café. Order a massive burger, dig into some fries, admire the music memorabilia and get ready for a top night of live music in Dubai.
Dubai Festival City (04 232 8900).

Iris

Meydan’s Iris bar has live music every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Here you can listen to The Voice France’s Anthony Tuoma on Tuesdays and Roxane and The Band on Thursday evenings, which is also ladies’ night offering two hours of free-flowing drinks for women.
Meydan Grandstand, irisdubai.com.

Jass Lounge

Offering one of the best spots for live music in Dubai, this gorgeous DIFC venue is a one-stop-shop for jazz, soul and blues. Open every night of the week until 3am, we suggest arriving early for its excellent happy hour and then making yourself comfortable as its world-class selection of musicians serenades you with all the classics. Add to that a dark and sultry atmosphere and first-class mixed drinks experience and you’ve got the perfect way to end the day.
DIFC, Gate Village 2, www.jasslounge.ae (050 912 4242).

Jones the Grocer

Cheese, grape and jazz? If that sounds like something you can get involved with, then head down to Jones the Grocer at Emirates Golf Club on a Friday evening from 7.30pm-10pm, where you can get all three. The offer includes two hours of house grape, plus unlimited cheese boards with four artisan cheeses, all set to live jazz music, for Dhs199.
Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 417 9999).

Josette

The Parisian restaurant has recently announced a line-up of weekly entertainment, from individual singers to pianists, violinists and even a full live band. Each performing at different times throughout the week, diners will be treated to sweet melodies while they tuck into the elegant French menu.

Daily 9am-3am, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC. (04 275 2522)

Lock, Stock & Barrel

All three branches of Lock, Stock & Barrel (LSB) have live music throughout the week. Plus, the brand runs an annual Battle of the Bands competition which champions local musicians around Dubai. The Saturday brunch at the JBR branch is touted as ‘Dubai’s wildest live music brunch’ and it certainly delivers.
Lock, Stock & Barrel, Barsha Heights, Business Bay, JBR, lsbdubai.com.

McCafferty’s

There are now three branches of McCafferty’s around Dubai (in Al Furjan, JVC and WAFI) and each of them plays live music sporadically through the week and definitely on the weekend. With the Irish flair, you’re guaranteed a taste of the Emerald Isle when you’re listening to live music here.
McCafferty’s, Al Furjan, JVC, WAFI, mccaffertysalfurjan.com, mccaffertysjvc.com, mccaffertyswafi.com.

McGettigan’s

There’s always tonnes of live music at each of the McGettigan’s across Dubai (Dubai Science Park, DWTC Dubai, JBR, JLT and Souk Madinat). The line-up shifts each week but you’re guaranteed to hear someone playing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. We’d advise calling the individual branch you’re visiting or checking the brand’s Instagram page to find out who is taking to the stage the night you’re planning on attending.
McGettigan’s, Dubai Science Park, DWTC Dubai, JBR, JLT and Souk Madinat, mcgettigans.com, @mcgettiganspubs.

Oak Live Bar

Oak Live Bar is a true Al Barsha hidden gem – the sort of place that might not be at the forefront of your mind for a happening Saturday night, but once you make it inside you’ll wish you hadn’t waited so long. If you can stomach a late one on a Sunday, we love its weekly jam nights with both open mics and karaoke, while other nights rotate between everything from house and techno to ‘80s and ‘90s classics meaning there’s something for everyone.
Courtyard by Marriott Al Barsha, @oaklivebar (050 493 1713).

Phileas Fogg’s

Tucked away in Address Montgomerie, Phileas Fogg’s has it all when it comes to a pub. A popular spot due to its views over the golf range and onto Dubai Marina, the venue are known for their live sport and open air garden.

As well as this, both of the outdoor and indoor tent stages are frequently used for live music events and performances, so make sure you keep an eye out for their next gig.

Sun-Thurs 8am-1.30am, Fri-Sat 8am-2.30am. Montgomerie Golf Academy, Emirates Hills (04 572 4477)

PizzaExpress Live

This Dubai version of Pizza Express does things a little differently. Located in Business Bay and JLT, both venues serve up live music as well as those glorious dough balls. At Business Bay, Wednesday nights are jam nights where (the musically talented) crowd members are invited onto the stage to perform. While Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays have local musicians playing.

The JLT branch had been undergoing a full renovation, but is now back live again, welcoming back diners and audiences from April 27.
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai, Business Bay, pizzaexpress.ae (04 566 5722). Cluster A, Jumeirah Lake Towers (04 441 6342)

Q’s Bar & Lounge

This swish live music venue (and Time Out Dubai award-winner) at Palazzo Versace has Dutch musician Oumnia Guigui in residence. The singer-songwriter plays Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday in two sets, from 9.30-10.30pm and 11pm-midnight, with other performers also taking to the stage during the week. One of the best places for live music in Dubai, and well worth making a date night out of.
Dhs250 (minimum spend), Wed-Thu, Dhs350 (minimum spend) Fri-Sun. Palazzo Versace Dubai, Al Jaddaf (04 556 8865).

Soho Garden Meydan

Although renowned for its stellar roster of world-class DJs (Solomun and CamelPhat included), this sprawling venue also hosts some of hip-hop’s biggest names throughout the year. With an excellent sound system and laser lighting arrangement, there’s a reason names like Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross and Giggs frequent this super club’s stage. Though fans hoping to catch a performance by one of their favourite artists will want to keep an eagle eye on their social media pages as they tend to announce acts reasonably last minute.
Meydan Racecourse, Nad Al Sheba, sohogardendxb.com (052 388 8849).

Sola Jazz Lounge

Sola Jazz Lounge boasts a packed bill of talented vocalists and brilliant blues players who light up the stage on the regular, while its swish interiors add to the experience.
This moody space is everything you’d expect of a swanky jazz lounge, with guests sitting within a finger-snapping distance of the acts ‘up’ on stage. This live music bar is ideal for a date night when you want to impress.
Tues-Sun, Raffles The Palm Dubai, West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah (04 248 8888).

Taverna Greek Kitchen

Souk Madinat’s Greek restaurant Taverna Greek Kitchen has live music every Monday evening from 8pm-midnight throughout the winter season. With the outdoor area boasting views of the waterways, the restaurant serving authentic Greek dishes and the live musician playing traditional music, it’s a relaxing way to start the week.
Every Mon, 8pm-midnight. Taverna Greek Kitchen, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh 1, tavernagreek.ae (04 589 5665).

The Tent at Bla Bla

Though the live music schedule is sporadic at this dedicated live music venue within Bla Bla, when it’s on, it’s really on. Hosting festivals including REWIND and live music gigs from international artists, this a venue that goes big and well worth keeping an eye on.
Bla Bla, Messer Street The Beach, blabladubai.ae (058 606 3535).

The Irish Village

Both branches of this famous Irish pub (in Garhoud and Studio City) have live music every Friday and Saturday evening from 9pm onwards so if you fancy a top night out at this brilliant Irish pub, you know what to do. Call in advance to find out who’s playing.
Garhoud, theirishvillage.com (04 282 4750); Studio One Hotel, Dubai Studio City (04 241 8444).

Time Out Market Dubai

Time Out Market is alive with music every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening with a line-up that changes each month. Diners can expect everything from jazz (every Monday night) to a live DJ. You can see the full line-up here.
Mon, Wed, Fri 7pm-onwardsTime Out Market Dubai, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutmarket.com/dubai.