From wine and cheese nights to buy one get one free deals…
Date nights in Dubai can get a little pricey, especially if you’re the one footing the bill. You don’t have to go to the fanciest restaurants to impress though, we promise. From fun (and some free) activities to some great dinner and drinks deals, we’ve got you covered with these affordable date night ideas in Dubai.
Activities
Watch a film under the stars
VOX Cinemas offers a magical outdoor movie experience on the rooftop of Aloft Dubai Creek, which takes place in a comfortable air-conditioned, outdoor lounge-style setting. It is the first fully licensed outdoor cinema in Dubai and is strictly for guests above the age of 21. Single seats cost you Dhs65 and double seats are Dhs130.
Vox Outdoor Cinema, Aloft City Centre Deira, daily, various timings, from Dhs65. voxcinemas.com
Paddle board at The Palm Jumeirah
Get active with a spot of paddle boarding on The Palm Jumeirah. You could do it at Ignite, outside Riva Beach Club, with views of the Palm Jumeirah fronds, Burj Al Arab and even (on a clear day) the Burj Khalifa. The best time to go is sunrise which is magnificent, the water usually as smooth as glass, and you really get an innate sense of peace. The 5am start might be a struggle, but it’s worth it. If you’re not an early bird, you can rock up at any time during the day.
Ignite Water Sports, Palm Jumeirah, Dhs75 for one hour. ignitewatersports.com
Go for a romantic stroll
The iconic Dubai Marina is breathtaking at night, when its glittering skyscrapers and majestic yachts are reflected in the silky waters. Enjoy a romantic amble around, with a walk of up to 3.8 miles. There are plenty of restaurants and outlets around to stop at if you get peckish.
Marvel at Miracle Garden
One for the Dubai bucket list is definitely a trip to Miracle Garden, which reopens this October. This incredible place features hundreds of flower displays in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, including a newly designed three-dimensional clock, a floating rock with a fountain, floral peacocks, as well as two floral exhibits inspired by favourite characters: a Genie and a flying magic carpet. Don’t forget to check out the iconic Emirates A380 (the world’s largest flower structure), the floating lady, teddy bear and more.
Dubai Miracle Garden, Dubailand, Dubai, for adults above the age of 12, it’s Dhs55 and for children in the age range of three to 12, it’s Dhs40. Book your tickets here.
Soak up the sun
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If you’re enjoying a date day, why not spend it soaking up the sun at one of Dubai’s free beaches? The Beach JBR is dotted with sunbeds and cabanas for seaside lounging, and the promenade is filled with shops, restaurants, an outdoor market and even a mini games arcade. It’s got some pretty special sunsets, and will have the best views of the soon-to-be-completed Ain Dubai. You could pop to The Cheesecake Factory (which looks right out onto the beach) afterwards and share a delicious slab of cheesecake.
The Beach Dubai, JBR. facebook.com/TheBeachDubai
Dive into Culture at Infinity des Lumieres
A tour of the ultimate immersive digital art experience is at your finger tips in The Dubai Mall. The artists currently on display are Gaudí, Kandinsky, and Klee the experience is a one of a kind brought from France. Book your slot for the 45 minute experience for only Dhs125 per person.
Infinity des Lumières, opposite Galeries Lafayette in Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, infinitylumieres.com
Test your competitive side at Unwind
If you’re looking to challenge your partner to a board game or two this is the perfect place. The food is tasty and they have a nearly limitless list of games for you to choose from. For as little as Dhs18 per person for an hour you could get a few games of Cluedo – Or Monopoly if you’re feeling brave.
Unwind Speciality Boardgame Cafe, various locations in Dubai. Dhs18 per person for one hour. unwinddubai.com
Night kayaking with CC Watersports
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If you’re feeling brave and the concept of the bottomless ocean doesn’t scare you, this would be the perfect adventure for you and your partner. Head out into the ocean from the Dubai Fishing Harbour and set sail in a romantically lit up clear bottom kayak for only Dhs225 for two.
Crystal Clear Watersports, Dubai Fishing Harbour 1, Dhs225 for two. Tel: (056) 473 8459 @cc.watersports
Scream and shout at Hysteria
This activity is not for the faint hearted. The story behind Hysteria is that the owners of the Manor’s children suddenly disappeared and they now roam the halls and rooms of the house seeking revenge on the guests at the house. If you and your partner are brave and willing, tickets are only Dhs100 per person making this a cheap, but certainly not cheerful attraction.
Hysteria, Level 2, Dubai Mall, open daily from 11am to 11pm. Tel: (052) 223 0966, hysteria.ae
Dinner and drinks deals
Feast on unlimited pizza
@whatsondubaiFind unlimited pizza at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza, Atlantis The Palm 🍕 ##whatsondubai ##foryoudubai ##dubaifyp ##thingstodoindubai ##ilovepizza♬ original sound – veggibeats
If pizza is the way to your heart, how does unlimited pizza for Dhs95 sound? Headed up by Gordon Ramsay himself is the new Street Pizza at Atlantis, The Palm. Served slice by slice, guests can choose from a plethora of toppings and flavours from boards that come to the table for Dhs95 per person. Experience the ultimate oozy cheese margherita, a meaty pepperoni, or dare for one of the unique daily specials, including pulled lamb or butternut squash and blue cheese.
Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza, Atlantis The Palm, Saturday to Wednesday 12pm to 10pm, Thursday and Friday 12pm to 11pm, no reservations. @atlantisthepalm
Tuck in to fresh seafood
Whilst Dubai might be known for its abundance of fancy restaurants, those who are really in the know of the city’s hidden culinary marvels will have heard of Bu Qtair. Make sure your date is the get-stuck-in type, because a fancy restaurant this is not. This casual fish shack is known for some of the best fresh fish in Dubai. You’ll pick your catch, sourced by local fishermen, which is then cooked to perfection using Bu Qtair’s ‘secret recipe’. The prices are as humble as the place itself.
Bu Qtair, Fishing Harbour 2, Dubai, open daily 11.30am to 11.30pm. Tel: (0)55 705 2130. facebook.com
Toast with two-for-one drinks
With a cool industrial-chic design, with high tables, floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace, TJs is the perfect casual hangout venue, so you can get to know each other better. Hearty dishes include nachos, pizzas, pies and burgers. A long happy hour runs every day with two for one on selected beverages until 8pm.
TJ’s, Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, open 11am to 1am Saturday to Wednesday, 11am to 2am Thurs & Fri. Tel: (04) 5741 111. tajhotels.com
Wine (cheese) and dine
Stray away from the usual dinner plans and opt for a wine and cheese night at Ciao Bella (formerly known as Cafe M). For cheese and wine lovers, head over to Ciao Bella to enjoy three hours of unlimited house wine and a cheese platter for only Dhs189. The premium package is Dhs210. This offer runs on Fridays from 6pm onwards.
Ciao Bella, Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai, open daily, 7am to midnight. mediaonehotel.com
Meet for a pizza and prosecco party
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On the golden sands of Palm Jumeirah, Ula is an earthy, Bali-inspired restaurant and lounge with beautiful sea views. On Wednesday, make a date at its alfresco terrace for an evening of pizza and prosecco. One pizza from a selected menu and three glasses of prosecco is Dhs175 per person.
Ula, Dukes The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 6pm to 11pm, Wednesdays, Dhs175 per person. Tel: (0)4 566 3041, uladubai.com
Spend the night at a pool party
Change up your nights out with a fun nighttime tropical pool party at famous Dubai beach club Barasti. Because, well, why not? Spend the evening dipping in and out of the pool as you dance and sing the night away. Entry is free and drinks are buy one get one free from 4pm to 8pm Sunday to Friday.
Barasti, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Dubai Marina, Dubai, open daily from 9am. Tel: (04) 318 1313. @barastibeach
Unlimited drinks and bites for Dhs149
Pintxos, pronounced ‘pinchos’, are the perfect snack to enjoy over casual conversation with your date, and at authentic Spanish tapas bar, Lola, you can enjoy unlimited servings of them every Tuesday night. Hot and cold pintxos are on offer alongside three hours of unlimited house beverages plus a backdrop of live music, from 7pm to 10pm. It’s Dhs149 for ladies and Dhs199 for gents.
Lola Taberna Española, Tryp by Wyndham Dubai, 7pm to 10pm, Tuesdays. Tel: (0)4 247 6688, lolataberna.com
Michelin dining for less
Massimo Bottura’s first restaurant outside of Italy is a playful ode to 1950s life on the Riviera, bringing La Dolce Vita to the Palm Jumeirah. On Tuesdays, there’s a dinner deal for girls and guys that offers a three-course set menu of dishes like burrata, pizza marinara and cacao e pepe, plus unlimited drinks for three hours. It’s Dhs199 for ladies and the guys can join for Dhs299.
Torno Subito, W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Tuesdays, 6.30pm to 11.30pm, from Dhs199. Tel: (0)4 245 5800. @tornosubitodubai
Popcorn delivery at home
Don’t feel like going out? We have got you covered too. You can have a movie night in, cinema popcorn and all. With your favourite delivery app, search for Vox Cinemas and have the perfect combo of a large popcorn, supreme nachos and a large drink delivered to your home for as little as Dhs47.
Order from Vox Cinemas on all food delivery platforms.
Unlimited tacos and margaritas
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Head down to Claw BBQ’s branches in JBR and Hilton Dubai Palm for three hours of unlimited tacos and margaritas. From 7pm to 1am on Thursdays you can enjoy the offer from Dhs149. Their venues are jam packed with fun activities to enjoy including a bucking bronco bull, pool table and pin ball machines. So challenge your partner to a game of pool in between taco feasting.
Claw BBQ, Pavillion at The Beach, JBR and Hilton Dubai Palm, Palm Jumeriah, Thu 7pm to 1am, Dhs149 for 3 hours unlimited tacos and margaritas. Tel: (0)4 577 4357, @clawbbq
Fancy a Fondue at Publique
Thursday nights at Publique means unlimited cheese and chocolate fondue along with two hours of free flowing wine. This French restaurant takes date night seriously, get out all your cheesy jokes and treat yourself and the Mrs/Mr to a lovely night of fondue fun.
Publique, Unit 27, Souk Madinat, Thursday Nights Dhs270 per person. Tel: (0)4 430 8550, publique.ae, @publiquedubai
Images: supplied and social
