Dubai's Mall of the Emirates is about to become a lot more than a shopping stop. The mall has revealed The Hangout, a new lifestyle and entertainment precinct forming a centrepiece of its five billion dirham overhaul. It will roll out in phases from late 2026 into early 2027, and there's plenty for travellers to pencil in.
The concept blends indoor and outdoor space. During Dubai's cooler months, a landscaped courtyard — the mall's first dedicated outdoor dining area — will open up through fully retractable façades, so you can drift between air-conditioned comfort and al fresco tables without really noticing the boundary. A climate-controlled walkway will also link the precinct to the New Covent Garden Theatre and Fashion Dome, handy in a city where summer walking is not a sport.
Four entertainment anchors give The Hangout its backbone. First up, in October 2026, is Activate, billed as the world's first active gaming experience: 12 light-up rooms and more than 50 interactive challenges that mix physical exertion with video-game style play. Also arriving in 2026 is SOCO, a 2,700sqm social venue packing bowling, AR darts and karaoke around a curated dining space. In 2027, Explorers will add three immersive play zones — think suspended net climbs and STEM-themed water play — plus workshops in cooking, woodworking and arts. And Magic Planet, a familiar name for families who know Dubai, will land in 2027 with its usual mix of rides and games, updated with new attractions.
Food is a big part of the pitch. Twelve restaurants and four kiosks will serve a spread of Indian, Levantine, Italian and Pan-Asian cuisine, mixing homegrown Dubai concepts with international names. Already confirmed: Fatt Pundit, Crunch, Apollo, Asma, Junk Smash Burger, Public Pizzeria, Crystal Jade Noodle Bar and Feels.
The Hangout is one slice of a wider plan. The mall's transformation also includes a luxury wellness club, fresh dining precincts, a new theatre, and practical upgrades like barrierless parking and better accessibility throughout.
Why care? If your Dubai trip involves more than beach and brunch, this gives Al Barsha a genuine all-in-one evening: active gaming for competitive groups, karaoke and bowling for rainy (or 45-degree) days, and enough new restaurants to justify a dedicated food crawl. Families with younger kids get Explorers and Magic Planet; grown-up groups get SOCO and Activate. Timing matters — if you're visiting before October 2026, you'll catch the mall mid-rebuild, so check what's open before making it a destination in its own right.
Story via What's On Dubai
