Dubai's rooftops: the city of skyscrapers seen from above
From a pearl-diving port to a global metropolis
The largest city in the United Arab Emirates, ahead of the federal capital Abu Dhabi, Dubai is the capital of the emirate of the same name and has more than three million inhabitants. Founded in the 18th century on a bend of Dubai Creek, the inlet that forms a natural harbour, it long remained a modest town living from pearl diving and trade. It took part in the founding of the Emirates in 1971, then experienced meteoric growth: its population has increased more than tenfold since 1980.
Around the old centre of Deira and Bur Dubai, the city now stretches along the coast and Sheikh Zayed Road, the great artery lined with skyscrapers. Here you will find the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower at 828 metres, inaugurated in 2010, the Burj Al Arab hotel, the palm-shaped artificial archipelago of Palm Jumeirah and the towers of Dubai Marina.
A city best discovered from above
In such a vertical city, the top floors have become places to go out in their own right. Restaurants, lounges and cocktail bars occupy the tops of hotels, often extended by open-air terraces and sometimes by a pool. Depending on the district, the view takes in the Burj Khalifa and the downtown towers, the sea and the artificial islands, or the forest of skyscrapers in the marina.
Where to get up high in Dubai
Downtown, DIFC and Sheikh Zayed Road
On the 54th floor of the Address Sky View, CÉ LA VI combines an Asian restaurant, a sky bar and a club lounge facing the Burj Khalifa, from lunch until 3am. Above Sheikh Zayed Road, Level 43 Sky Lounge offers a 360° open-air terrace overlooking the skyscrapers from the 43rd floor of the Four Points by Sheraton. In the financial centre, Luna Dubai spreads its large terrace across the 8th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, while Monkey Bar, on the roof of the 25hours Hotel One Central, cultivates a jungle atmosphere opposite the Museum of the Future.
Dubai Marina, JBR and Media City
Above JBR beach, ZETA Seventy Seven sits in the open air on the 77th floor of the Address Beach Resort, almost 294 metres up, next to the world's highest outdoor infinity pool. Right next door, Pure Sky Lounge has two terraces on the 35th floor of the Hilton Dubai The Walk, facing the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel. On the 31st floor of the W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, ATTIKO blends pan-Asian cuisine, DJs and sunsets over Palm Jumeirah. In the marina, Atelier M occupies the top levels of the Pier 7 building, with a rooftop open in the evening. In Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Paros captures the spirit of the Greek islands around a pool on the 46th floor of the Taj, and in Dubai Media City, Twenty Three offers a lounge and terrace on the 23rd floor of the Grand Plaza Mövenpick.
Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah
On the western crescent of the Palm, SoBe, on the 5th floor of the W Dubai – The Palm, is a Miami-style terrace open to the Gulf. At the entrance to the island, Asia Asia Palm Jumeirah offers a 360° view of the Palm, the Burj Al Arab and the two Atlantis hotels from the 15th floor of the Andaz. Higher still, SUSHISAMBA Dubai blends Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisines on the 51st floor of The Palm Tower, in a fully glazed dining room with no terrace. On the Jumeirah coast, Mercury Rooftop, on the roof of the Four Seasons Resort, looks out over both the sea and the Burj Khalifa; this seasonal terrace is open from October to late spring.
Cocktails, food and atmosphere
A budget to plan for
Dubai's rooftops are almost all located in upscale hotels, and prices follow suit: expect to pay 70 to 95 AED for a cocktail in most places, as at Pure Sky Lounge, ATTIKO, CÉ LA VI or Level 43. Happy hours let you pay less early in the evening, for example at Twenty Three, Pure Sky Lounge or Monkey Bar. Some venues apply a minimum spend, particularly for the best tables or cabanas. Food plays a big role: pan-Asian at ATTIKO and Asia Asia, modern Asian at CÉ LA VI, Mediterranean at Atelier M and Paros, Nikkei at SUSHISAMBA.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple, with friends or with colleagues
For a tête-à-tête, the seafront dinner at ZETA Seventy Seven or the glass-walled dining room at SUSHISAMBA make an impression as night falls. With friends, the DJ nights at CÉ LA VI, ATTIKO, Monkey Bar or SoBe go on late. After work, Level 43, Luna or Twenty Three are perfect for a drink at sunset. For days by the water, head to Paros and its pool.
Getting around
The metro's Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Road and serves stations including Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, Financial Centre and Emirates Towers, near CÉ LA VI, Level 43, Luna and Monkey Bar. The Dubai Marina tram links JBR and the marina. For Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah, a taxi remains the easiest option.
Tips for making the most of Dubai's rooftops
Season, booking and rules to know
From October to April, temperatures are ideal for terraces; in the height of summer, the heat remains intense even in the evening, and some venues close or shorten their opening hours, such as Mercury Rooftop or Paros, which are seasonal. Booking is strongly recommended at sunset and at weekends. Alcohol is only served in licensed venues and to people aged 21 and over: bring ID. Finally, most rooftops ask for “smart casual” dress in the evening, with no shorts, sportswear or flip-flops for men, and entry remains at the venue's discretion.
Photo : Tim Reckmann / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0