Stuck for somewhere to host the office Christmas do in Dubai? The options go well beyond the standard restaurant dinner. A recent round-up from What's On Dubai highlights eight venues that suit teams of different sizes and vibes — from relaxed terrace drinks to full-on competitive games.
For bigger groups, Garden on 8 at the Media One Hotel in Dubai Media City offers a spacious outdoor terrace with plenty of seating and a lively, informal atmosphere — a solid pick if you want the whole team together without turning it into a stiff sit-down affair. Over at The Beach on JBR, Bla Bla packs several venues under one roof: dinner, bars, a rooftop and a beach club, so the night can roll on long after the meal ends.
Prefer something quieter? Eugène Eugène, inside the Kempinski at Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha, is a greenery-filled, French-inspired spot with both indoor and outdoor seating — a nice setting for a festive lunch or dinner. And for teams who'd rather keep it simple, McGettigan's at Souk Madinat Jumeirah delivers pub food, drinks and entertainment in an easy-going setting.
If you want to skip the meal format entirely, Dubai has you covered. Brass Monkey, with locations on Bluewaters Island and at City Walk, combines bowling lanes, arcade games, pool tables and racing simulators with food and drink. Topgolf at Emirates Golf Club lets you book bays and compete team against team, with food and drinks served while you play. And for the most adrenaline-fuelled option, Dubai Autodrome in Motor City runs go-karting sessions where colleagues can battle it out for fastest lap.
The line-up covers most party briefs: large or small teams, sit-down or stand-up, chilled or competitive. Several venues (Bla Bla and Brass Monkey especially) work well if your group includes people who won't want to sit still for a three-course dinner. Contact details are listed for each venue, and booking early is wise — December weekends in Dubai fill up fast for corporate events.
For anyone organising a work celebration in the city this festive season, the shortlist is a useful starting point before you commit to a deposit.
