On our winter travels, we recently went to check out some of the Ibiza residencies that have been transported to the United Arab Emirates to enjoy the warmer climate, and it turns out there are a lot of them!
So, for those of you craving some of that White Isle Magic to get you through until next season, Dubai might just be the place for you to get your fix.
Saturday
With some pointers from DJ Lucy Jane on the must-visit spots, I dived straight into the scene, with the first stop being Bohemia at the Five Hotel in West Beach for Lee Burridge's All Day I Dream.
Think of the Ibiza ADID magic that we experienced at Playa Soleil this summer, transported to Dubai - dreamy melodies and enchanting vibes under a giant LED palm on a bewitching beachfront setting. With the Pacha Group behind the coveted hotspot, I knew this wasn’t going to disappoint and the atmosphere was ecstatic.
Irrepressible showman Lee Burridge and his crew of Matthew Dekay, Lost Desert and Bai took us on an emotional journey with a blend of euphoric House and Techno, dancing with our feet in the sand from sunset to under the stars. The energy resembled a slice of the White Isle, but instead right here in the UAE.
Hitting two birds with one stone, we then ventured over to Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience. If you think Ushuaïa Ibiza is epic, the Dubai version is on another level. Double the capacity with TNL’s signature wow-level production, tonight Adriatique presented ‘X’ which was none other than an audiovisual masterpiece.
The Swiss duo put on a pioneering performance that had the thousands of attendees in a trance, with the accompanying lighting and visuals perfectly syncing to their set. This was definitely an insight into what raving with 15,000 people might look like at [UNVRS] next summer.
Any doubts we might have had about the Ushuaïa team filling the festival-size arena were quickly dispelled. We arrived as young, French sensation DJ Rivo’s set was reaching a crescendo at the packed-out venue.
Today also coincided with the first Dubai edition of the International Music Summit, which is a milestone in itself. It seems that Dubai is really establishing its own musical identity and becoming a new location for partygoers.
Sunday
Sunday was all about exploring the highly anticipated O Beach Dubai. My flatmate Lucy Jane had shown me cheeky previews before completion over the summer, so I was excited to see the finished masterpiece in person.
The new venue was stunning - a perfect blend of luxury and fun, Dubai style! Here the poolside beds and loungers on the sand are augmented by air-conditioned VIP cabanas with their own plunge pools! Nevertheless, the familiar yellow umbrellas and iconic orange cups immediately transported me back to O Beach Ibiza.
It turns out that many of O Beach Ibiza’s popular parties have transferred to Dubai for the winter, too, including our beloved House in Paradise, trading Ibiza Wednesdays for Dubai Sundays.
The brand’s stand out underwater utopian production amongst the towering metropolis on one side, and ocean on the other, was a surreal setting to find myself in. At one point, I looked above to see a dancer doing her thing on a giant inflatable whale as it came into land above the lit-up pool below. It really was a sight to behold.
It's not every day that you get to party in a place like this (unless you’re Lucy Jane, of course!).
Looking back on my quick trip to Dubai, I can confidently say that my itinerary is perfect for any of you seeking to explore some of the city's top party destinations with a real Ibiza feeling.
If you have been over there recently or visited any of the other Ibiza exports around the world, why not share your experiences on the famous Ibiza Spotlight Forum?
