Dubai's party scene just got its annual report card. On Wednesday, October 28, the What's On Nightlife Awards 2026 took over Bohemia Beach Club at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, handing out trophies across 28 categories covering everything from speakeasies and sports bars to sundowner spots and evening brunches. Alongside the outright winners, a long list of Highly Commended venues gives anyone planning a night out a ready-made hit list.
The runners-up and commendations read like a tour of the city's best districts. Big-ticket events earned nods for Calvin Harris at Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour and Garage Nation DXB at Zero Gravity, while Brass Monkey at City Walk picked up recognition for entertainment and The Laughter Factory at AURA Skypool kept comedy high above the marina. Date night options include Blue Door at Delano Dubai and CQ French Brasserie, and for dinner that turns into a party, Amazonico and Opa both featured.
Beach lovers are well served: KoKo Bay and February 30 for beach bars, San Beach for beach club, and Gigi Rigolatto and Nikki Beach for beachfront dining. Pool day fans got two strong picks in ZETA Seventy Seven at Address Beach Resort and the Banyan Tree Pool & Beach, while Bungalo 34 at Nikki Beach and Level 43 Sky Lounge were flagged for sunset drinks.
The list goes deep on bars too. Speakeasy fans can choose between SoBe at W Dubai The Palm, 1920 and LITT; pub goers have The Dubliner's at Le Méridien and JB's Gastropub at Amwaj Rotana; and cocktail hunters should book a seat at Savant in SO: Uptown Dubai. Happy hour commendations went to Monkey Bar at 25hours One Central and Sunken Garden at The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, and ladies' night and day recognitions went to Canary Club and Covebeach. Six categories — cocktail hour, happy hour, ladies' day, ladies' night, live music and restaurant bar — were voted by readers; the rest were decided by the What's On editorial team. Newcomer nods went to Sobremesa at Souk Al Bahar and Le Piaf Dubai.
Why it matters for travellers: with so many venues competing for attention in Dubai, an editorially vetted shortlist saves hours of scrolling. Use the Highly Commended list as a themed itinerary — one beach day, one speakeasy, one dinner-and-show — and you'll cover the city's nightlife in a long weekend without a dud night.
