FESTIVE BARS
Where to get into the holiday spirit
01
Publique The Alpine lodge-inspired bar at the Madinat goes big at Christmas, decking its halls with boughs of holly, tinsel and lights� q @publiquedubai 02
Apres Dubai The OG winter wonderland bar overlooks Ski Dubai and serves mulled wine and s’mores martinis every holiday� @apresdubai
03
Foxglove by Soho Garden With its hardwood floors, fireplace and huge Christmas tree, Foxglove serves cosy festive pub vibes� q @foxglovedxb 04
The Irish Village Half of Dubai seem to flock to Garhoud for its annual tree-lighting ceremony� Such is the festive feels at The Irish Village each year� q @theirishvillage
BAR MONTH
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Gohan Speakeasy vibes meets elegant Japanese eatery in this hip hangout
Hiding behind another business ( La Cantine Du Faubourg, in this case) is a new and exciting concept for Dubai, but Gohan can’t conceal the crowds waiting to win entry to its small windowless barroom. Inside, dimly-lit cube lanterns, red hues, low-ceilings, and occasional intimate DJ shows create a slick Tokyo meets Flat Iron New York speakeasy aesthetic. Once inside, diners will experience elegant Japanese street food with a refined menu of skewers, sushi and gyoza, that use
top quality ingredients, throwing the likes of fois gras and caviar into the mix to up the dishes to Dubai ‘high life’ level. We thoroughly enjoyed the rich – and tableside-prepared – Wagyu truffle maki (Dhs110), the sticky and spicy chicken wings with sesame and chili (Dhs42), and the indulgent chicken and foie gras gyoza served with delicate yuzu dashi dressing (Dhs75). The highlight was perhaps the tender octopus kushiyaki (Dhs45), coated in an almost gummy ginger butter. The drinks menu, unlike the food menu, is vast, with an enormous variety ranging from sake by the carafe to wines by the bottle, while the separate menu of seven signature cocktails, inspired by the seven lucky Gods of Japan, fuses unique blends with aromatic herbs and spices that seem to all pair seamlessly with the food. As you leave Gohan, past La Cantine’s bottle fridges and out in the French restaurant’s bright and loud dining room, it’s hard not to feel a little smug about your hip new hidden hangout. a Gohan at La Cantine Du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sun to Thur noon to 4pm, daily 7pm to 2am. Tel: (0)4 3527105. @gohandubai What’s On_55
