The Bulgari Bar

Polished without feeling stiff, this is the kind of hotel bar people choose as much for the room as for the drink. The signature oval counter gives the space a social rhythm, while the view across the seaside promenade and the Arabian Gulf adds a rare sense of calm in Dubai. There is a clear Italian elegance to the whole setting, but it never comes across as showy. It works best for a refined evening when you want excellent surroundings, a composed crowd, and a bar that knows how to let the atmosphere speak for itself.