Dubai is the perfect spot for night owls and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do in Dubai at night.
A city that doesn’t sleep, you can make the most of movies, attractions, good food and even sports right into the early hours.
Whether you want something chilled or to throw your best moves on the dancefloor, here are the best things to get up to post-sunset.
Here are the best things to do in Dubai at night:
Have a night swim
This summer, pools all over the city are offering moonlight dips to cool off from the heat.
You can swim in the sea for free at the Kite Beach evening sessions, or head somewhere a little more luxurious.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Time Out Dubai (@timeoutdubai)
Even Cloud 22 at the Atlantis Royal will let you float under the stars for a few hours, with the price of your swim depending on the beds booked.
However, you can get access to the moonlight dips from Dhs300 (minimum spend), which allows bar, lounge and pool access.
From Dhs300. Every Thu to Sat, 7pm-11pm. Cloud 22, Atlantis the Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis.com (04 426 2700).
Break out of an escape room
Located inside Nakheel Mall, Game Over Escape Rooms is all about getting out of there as quick as you can – but you’ve got to use your brain to crack the codes.
With plenty of very cool rooms including Murder on the Orient Express, One Thousand and One Nights, Alice in Wonderland, Horror Circus, Atlantis the Lost City, Dracula, Illuminati and so much more.
Prices Vary. Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. Second floor, Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah (04 577 3289).
Catch a film on Alserkal Avenue
Cinema Akil is definitely a slick spot. If you haven’t visited, where have you been? On a serious note, this should be on your list if you’re a movie buff or a culture vulture. Kick back and catch a movie at one of the coolest arty cinemas in Dubai.
The cute cinema – kitted out with red velvet seating and walls lined with vintage film posters – sometimes puts on free screenings so it’s worth keeping an eye on the website for when free events are on.
Prices vary. Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, cinemaakil.com (058 909 7798).
Challenge reality at VR Park
It doesn’t matter what time it is if you’re living in virtual reality. The world’s largest VR park offers up experiences that fall beyond the scope of mere sunrises and sunsets.
Take a drone flight through futuristic Dubai, go dune bashing in the UAE desert, battle zombies, have a virtual snowball fight at any time of day thanks to the wonders of modern technology. There are also rides to amuse young and old, plus the rest of The Dubai Mall to explore.
Free entry. Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thurs-Sat 10am-midnight, VR Park, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, vrparkdubai.com, (800 38224 6255).
Chaos Karts
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Time Out Dubai (@timeoutdubai)
3, 2, 1, GO. Newer on the scene, make sure to visit with the kids if you haven’t had the chance yet.
Get them to step away from their video games and step inside one instead, as the virtual reality experience makes you feel as if you’re in a real life version of Mario Kart. One for the bigger kids, children must be over the age of 11 to play.
From Dhs140. Open Sun-Thurs, 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. 6A St – Al Quoz. chaoskarts.ae (04 324 2344).
Cool down with an ice skating session
Whether you’re a speedy skater whizzing around the rink, a delicate figure skater twirling to tunes, or a stumbling side hanger, your next ice skating experience just levelled up.
The Dubai Ice Rink in the Dubai Mall will be filled with skaters whizzing (and dancing) to funky tunes every Friday and Saturday night. The ideal way to cool down and chill out with friends this summer.
From Dhs135 (per person). Fri-Sun, 6.45pm-8.15pm. Dubai Ice Rink, The Dubai Mall. entertainment.emaar.com.
Dance at a nightclub
If you’re looking to dance until the early hours, why not do it in the largest club in the UAE.
Playing R&B hits from the state-of-the-art sound system, the super-club that is entirely indoors meaning you can throw shapes at any time of the year.
Found at popping nightlife hotspot Soho Garden at Meydan, this is one place where you’ll be shuffling all night, as it’s one of the best clubs in Dubai.
Soho Garden Meydan, Nad Al Sheba, @blackclubdxb (052 388 8849).
Dine at Time Out Market Dubai
When it comes to food, entertainment and good times, Time Out Market Dubai is your go-to hangout. With an array of vendors serving up every type of food you fancy, this is one of the best things to do in Dubai at night, if we so ourselves.
You’ll even be able to catch a glimpse of the incredible fountains in front of Burj Khalifa.
Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutmarket.com/dubai (054 375 2421).
Dinner and a show at Raspoutine
A great after-dark choice, dinner and a show will never disappoint. Book a table at Raspoutine, the iconic Parisian hotspot nestled in the heart of DIFC, for one of its legendary Folie-Piano nights, every Wednesday and Thursday.
At Folie-Piano, guests can indulge in a specially curated set menu, from Dhs450 per person. To begin, guests will be able to select one cold and one hot starter, one main course with a side dish, and a delightful dessert to conclude the dinner.
From Dhs450. Every Wed and Thurs, from 9pm, Precinct Building 3, DIFC. raspoutine.com (04 272 5373).
Find a secret bar
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Time Out Dubai (@timeoutdubai)
Spend the evening seeking out a speakeasy and enjoy the atmosphere in one of Dubai’s hidden bars.
Visit the Honeycomb Hifi Izakaya bar through the back of a record store, or follow the signs written in Hong Kong Mandarin dialect until you manage to find your way inside Electric Pawn Shop.
For a full list of Dubai’s hidden bars, click here (but don’t tell anyone okay?).
Night brunch
Brunches aren’t just for the daytime, oh no. There are some incredible evening brunches to make the most of, full of free-flowing drinks and crazy entertainment.
Whether you fancy a pizza party, unlimited views or a dance with rooftop views, there are events almost every night of the week.
Peaked your interest? Check out all of the best evening brunches here.
Ooooh and aaaah At The Top
Get the timing right and the world’s tallest building and the fountain at its base can give you a day-to-night experience like no other. It is all about picking your moment.
At The Top is the observation deck attraction high up in the Burj Khalifa. Set off just before sunset and you will see the light change over the coast and Sheikh Zayed Road from a vantage point on the 125th floor. Add this to your things to do in Dubai at night schedule.
From Dhs169. Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, burjkhalifa.ae, (800 28 843 867).
Play padel
Dubai is padel-mad, and there are a tonne of courts you can book right for an evening game.
From the open-air courts at Kite Beach to the air-conditioned indoor ones at Central Padel Dubai, get your a bit of exercise in and have a good run around.
You can find all of the padel courts you can book in our full guide here.
Roll around the rink at Roll DXB
Get your skates on, literally, as this is one night-time activity you’ll want to rush along to. Roll DXB is a super-fun place for a laugh-a-minute night as you skid around the roller rink.
Whether you’re a pro or a complete novice it’s sure to be heaps of fun. It’s open until 11pm every night of the week and until midnight on Fridays, too.
From Dhs65. Open Sat-Wed 11am-11pm, Fri from 11am-midnight, Marina Cubes, Port Rashid, Deira rolldxb.com (04 238 6206).
Sing Karaoke
Spend the evening singing your heart out on stage, or having a giggle while some others give it their best go.
The Lucky Voice karaoke bar has private booths that you can book for a sing-a-long with your mates, or if you’re not up to performing, try the music-themed quiz night on a Thursday instead.
Prices vary, Sun-Fri 5pm-3am. Sat 1pm-3am. Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights. luckyvoice.com (800 58259).
Smash Room session
The rooms will allow you to safely let off some steam at the end of the day, and you can get stuck in battering some electricals to pieces.
Head there or alone or with mates to take a crack at it – or, even better, you can hire the Smash Mobile truck to come right to your house, so you don’t even need to leave home.
Mon-Thurs 12.30pm-10pm, Fri-Sun 12.30pm-11pm. Prices vary. hello@thesmashroom.com. thesmashroom.com (04 339 7810).
Sunset Saturday at Aquaventure
The night-time sessions are back at Atlantis Aquaventure, so get ready for an evening splash about.
Running from 6pm until 10pm every Saturday until the end of August, you can experience the waterpark under the stars as well as beach games, live DJs and all the usual slides (105 to be exact).
From Dhs125 (child), Dhs145 (adult). Sat (until August 24) 6pm-10pm. Atlantis Aquaventure, Palm Jumeirah. aquaventureworld.com (04 426 0000).
Zoom around Dubai Kartdrome
There are indoor and outdoor kart tracks open until midnight at the Dubai Autodrome circuit. Arrive and drive facilities mean you can pull up and get a speed fix late into the night any day of the week.
Helmets, overalls and, most importantly, karts are all provided so all you need for a night drive fix is some extra adrenalin and a few fist bumps for when you are on top of the race podium.
From Dhs140. Dubai Kartdrome, Motor City, dubaiautodrome.ae, (800 KARTING).
Take a walk to Bluewaters Island
If you’re looking for a relaxed option and want to get some steps in for the evening, take a stroll along JBR and out on the walkway to Bluewaters.
Giving some stunning views at night, you can wander through the shops and restaurants, admire the Ain Dubai and look back onto the Dubai Marina behind you.
Bluewaters, Dubai.
Try TopGolf
Ninety-six hitting bays facing the Dubai Marina put some swing into regular golf as micro-chipped balls bring a degree of hi-tech simulation to a normal driving range experience. Different targets, accuracy and power challenges make this as much like playing a video game as engaging in sport.
One of the quirkiest nightlife venues in Dubai, it is open until 2am every day of the week and is a day-to-night attraction like no other.
From Dhs200 per hour (5pm-2am), from Dhs100 for 30 minute extension. Topgolf, Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills, topgolfdubai.ae, (04 371 9999).
Visit the Dubai Fountains
Chances are you’ve already been to The Dubai Fountain and watched the water cascade up into the air as you gaze up at Burj Khalifa illuminated in lights, but one thing is for sure it never gets old.
Well worth multiple visits, it is a great free activity to roster into your evening plans.
Daily, 6pm to 11pm, every 30 minutes (The Dubai Fountain), Wed-Fri 7.45pm and 9.45 pm; Sat-Sun 7.45pm, 8.15pm and 9.45 pm, Burj Khalifa light show, Downtown Dubai.
Making more plans in Dubai?
These are Dubai’s best restaurants: 85 incredible places to dine in 2024
We know where you should book into this week
16 fantastic free things to do indoors in Dubai
Your unmissable guide, packed with freebies
56 new brunches in Dubai: Hot spots to book this weekend
Be the first to try these new feasts
