Top dollar: the most expensive places to spend New Year’s Eve in Dubai

(CNN) – Dubai is known for its high caliber range of glitter and shine every day of the week, so it seems impossible to get any extra.

Enter, New Year’s Eve.

Dubai has long had the reputation of being one of the most popular and most expensive venues for revelers on December 31st. This is mainly due to the incredible fireworks display presented at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, which is preceded each year by a choreographed water ballet from the world’s largest fountain exhibit. In 2019, the Burj presented a huge five-minute fireworks display with 1,371 kilograms of pyrotechnics.
Blinging in the new year in Dubai.

Blinging in the new year in Dubai.

Tom Dulat / Getty Images

But all the fanfare has meant that restaurants in Dubai with seats in the front row after the festivities are expanding their offerings like nowhere else in the world – with fancy restaurants offering multiple aisle menus for more than Dh4,500 ($ 1,207) and even fast food outlets like Tim Hortons and Five Guys asking customers to top up Dh1,500 + for a meal.

While this is likely to look a bit different this year due to the pandemic, the Burj Khalifa fireworks display will continue, as well as exhibits at other hotspots across the city, such as The Pointe and the Burj Al Arab – with social distance in place. The United Arab Emirates also currently welcomes almost all global tourists.

So, whether you want to spend $ 1000 shoulders (but not literally because of Covid-19) with the city’s elite at a heavy bar, or you’re willing to spend Dh2,500 ($ 670) on some Tim Hortons’ Timbits, New Year’s Eve in Dubai apparently covered every experience.

Here are the best places to say goodbye to 2020 with emphasis if you are in Dubai and have money to burn.

Unlimited burgers: Five Guys

How many bacon-cheese burgers can you eat in one sitting?

How many bacon cheeseburgers can you eat at one time?

PAUL J. RICHARDS / AFP / AFP / Getty Images

All-you-can-eat Five Guys is a dream come true for some, but on December 31 in Dubai, it really is a reality. For Dh1500 ($ 402) you can check out one of the best spots on the ground floor of Dubai Mall on January 1st with unlimited burgers, fries and non-alcoholic drinks from 8pm to 1am. It is slightly cheaper (Dh1100) if you want to sit further on the terrace. Children 12 and under get a 50% discount and under-threes are free.

Five guys, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Rd, Dubai; +971 4 379 2122

The Donut Centered: Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons Coffee

Tim Hortons has been a Canadian institution since 1964.

Tim Hortons

If you like your filtered coffee and your donuts Canadian, and you are willing to pay Dh2,500 for a lot of it, Tim Hortons is the place to look on New Year’s Eve. For the price of 1,786 Timbits, you get a five-course meal and a premium seat right next to the water. The price drops to Dh1,500 for outdoor seating on the terrace and Dh1,000 for indoor seating.

Tim Hortons, The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Rd, Dubai; +971 55 213 6678

The weaker: Cé La Vi

Cé La Vi restaurant, Dubai

Cé La Vi serves contemporary Asian cuisine.

Thanks to Cé La Vi

This famous international import (perhaps best known for its Singapore location above Marina Bay Sands, also known as the decade for the last scene in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’) has perhaps the best view of the Burj Khalifa in the city – the only one warning is that you will be looking at its back rather than the front, where the light show and fountains are.

At the 260-meter-high Address Sky View, seating for the new year here is a minimum spend of 2,500 Dh ($ 680).

Pret fact: Address Sky View is actually modeled on Marina Bay Sands, complete with three-story Sky Bridge on floor 51, which connects the two towers.

Cé La Vi, Tower 2, Level 54, Address Sky View Hotel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai; +971 4 582 6111

The splash: 99 Sushi

There are outposts of 99 Sushi across the United Arab Emirates and Spain.

There are outposts of 99 Sushi across the United Arab Emirates and Spain.

Thanks to 99 Sushi

When you hear ‘sushi’, you do not tend to think of $ 1,000 meal-for-one, but that’s exactly what you’ll pay for at 99 Sushi on New Year’s Eve.

Located in the Address Downtown, on 31 December you will be sitting on its Burj terrace at Dh4,500 on Dh4,500 in the outside room and Dh3,500 elsewhere.

While it may seem like a few plates of sushi, it’s a hefty asking price, but your entry fee includes a huge 14-course meal, free-range alcohol and an after-party.

99 Sushi, The Address Downtown, Dubai; +971 045472241

The highest: Atmosphere

At.mosphere Lounge Burj Khalifa Dubai

Atmosphere is 442 meters above ground level and is the tallest restaurant in the world.

By.mosphere Lounge

It’s not the best vantage point to see fireworks, because you’re actually inside them, but maybe it’s just that cool.

Homemade event brand Secret Parties throws a bash at the world’s tallest restaurant, Atmosphere, on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, which means a (Covid-friendly) all-night party for Dh3,000 ($ 800).

From 18:00 to 01:00 there is unlimited Champagne, a nine-course menu and the choice of seats in the restaurant (relaxed) or in the lounge (DJ and music).

Atmosphere, 122nd floor, Burj Khalifa, Dubai city center; +971 4 888 3828

The best panorama: Weslodge Saloon

This Dubai setting, this North American themed restaurant, located on the 68th floor of the JW Marriott Marquis, offers a serious party for anyone who wants to see the end of 2020 from above.

And given the view, which overlooks the Burj Khalifa and most of downtown Dubai, with a 360-degree panorama, it’s a relative bargain at Dh799 ($ ​​213) for a multi-course menu and free-range drinks.

Weslodge Saloon, 68th Floor, JW Marriot Marquis Tower B, Business Bay, Dubai; +971 4 560 1700

On a boat: Lotus Yacht

The largest yacht in the UAE is hosting a night on the water on 31 December, where you can take in the fireworks over the Dubai skyline from the sea.

The package offers you Dh1,990 back for food and an open bar, but it rises to Dh3,490 for a reserved section with bottle service.

Lotus is an important step on the yacht party scene in Dubai. The three-storey boat has enough space for 600 guests, a swimming pool, a whirlpool, a club for 150 people and a cinema with 70 seats.

Lotus Sailing, Berth L (T Head), Dubai Marina, Under Pier 7, Outside Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai; +971 568410885

Notable mentions:

Walnut Grove restaurant Dubai

The South African restaurant Walnut Grove boasts an impressive view of the Burj.

Thanks to Walnut Grove

Want to save cash, but you missed the discussion above? Not to worry, there is much more where it comes from.

The South African restaurant Walnut Grove has an excellent location in Dubai Mall with views of the fountains and Burj, and a three-course menu with non-alcoholic drinks for Dh2,000.
Mexican spot Tulum, also in Dubai Mall overlooking the Burj and fountains, offers food and alcohol packages between Dh680 and Dh1500.
Publique, an alpine chalet in Dubai, in the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, offers a magnificent view of the fireworks from the Burj Al Arab and is only Dh699 for a meal and drink package with lots of cheese (think of melted raclette, epic decorations and a roaring fire).

.Source