Sm ke Rings

Dubai has a number of hookah venues coupled with unique experiences. Neha Gupta Kapoor shortlists five places that could feature in your next travel plans to the emirate

T he UAE newspaper, Gulf

News reported last month that it is now illegal to smoke shisha (hookah) while driving. Disobedient drivers will be Àned DHS 800/`13,955. That’s how popular

shisha is in Dubai. While some locals may be habituated to smoking water pipes with high nicotine content, the version of shisha found in restaurants and touristy places are virtually harmless with negligible tobacco content.

And so, if you’re looking for some cultural downtime in Dubai, it would be a good idea to add shisha to your list. There are several shisha Áavours that one can choose to puͿ on, ranging from fruit to mint. Though they’re commonly available at several F&B venues of the city, there are a few who oͿer more than just a

shisha experience. Here is a list of Àve places where one can grab a drink and enjoy a good meal while sampling shisha to last a long evening.

360 Degrees

It rises from the sea — well not quite literally though. A pathway from Jumeirah Beach Hotel continues over the sea and ends at an anchored glass-walled circular room with rooftop seating. This party destination is known to have one of the best views of Dubai on one side and waters of the Arabian Gulf on the other side. The most desirable seats, of course, are at the lounge deck on the roof; but when it gets too hot or too cold, the plush sofa seating inside, by the windows are good enough. The indoor restaurant, The NineZero has a pan-Asian à la carte food menu, but the setting is more like a lounge bar and nightclub. Sunset is the best time to visit because the views are stunning in the afterglow; especially if you have a shisha in one hand and a Áavoursome cocktail in the other. ‡ Jumeirah Beach Hotel; open daily 5pm-3am; tel 971 55 500 8518; jumeirah.com.

Barasti Beach Bar

This is the place one would want to visit for music, drinks, bar snacks and shisha. It is spread across two levels — the top Áoor is where \ou have the screen where \ou can watch sports with a chilled beer. The lower level stretches to a large al fresco seating. T\pical to a beach bar, catch\ tunes from the DJ’s console just might have \ou dancing barefoot on the sand. This venue is perfect for a la]\ beach da\ against the backdrop of Dubai Marina, or for a night out part\ing. :hen the sun sets, the space turns into a livel\ lounge bar. (ver\ now and then Barasti has themed nights, some involve \ou dressing up in costume, others mean a change in decor and themed cocktails. In the da\ one can borrow Áoats and tubes for, as the bar puts it, “a good dose of vitamin sea”. ‡ /e Meridien Mina 6e\ahi Beach Resort and Marina; open 6aturda\ :ednesda\

am am, Thursda\ )rida\ until am; tel ; barastibeach.com.

Bridgewater Tavern

It aptl\ describes itself as an “edg\ sports bar with a gastro dive feel, serving nouveau drinking food”. This is where one can catch the latest game on a big screen, grab a few chilled beers and even have a full meal. Its Áavoured shisha are served on the terrace that overlooks Dubai’s water canal. There are chairs lined along the wooden bar, and sofa seats with low tables for those who just want to catch a game. Matches are broadcast on screens on both Áoors of the bar. (ver\ Tuesda\, there is a special oͿer of $(D ₹ , per person for chicken wings and two beers — a perfect post work setting for one when travelling alone for business. +app\ +ours are dail\ between pm and pm on selected beverages. )or those who are here just for the food, there are several dining tables so \ou can eat comfortabl\. ‡ J: Marriott MarTuis; open dail\ pm am; tel ; jwmarriottmarquisdubailife. com