THE WINNERS ARE

LAST MONTH, WE CROWNED THE BEST CLUBS, DJS, NIGHTS OUT, BRUNCHES AND VENUES IN DUBAI. HERE’S YOUR GUIDE TO ALL THE VICTORS ON THE NIGHT

The What’s On Nightlife Awards took place last month – here’s your guide to who walked away with the gongs

BEST DJ JIXO & DANZ

The award for Best DJ went to not one but two, as Jixo and Danz took home the first gong of the night. The duo played an instrumental part in setting up Disconekt, one of the city’s top deep house nights, before taking up residency at Meydan super-venue Soho Garden. In simple terms, they’re pioneers on the local DJ scene.

BEST LOCAL BAND/ACT HOLLAPHONIC

You’ll do well to remember the name Hollaphonic. Born out of a recording studio in Dubai in 2013, the duo, made up of Olly Wood and Greg Stainer, are making moves in the industry both on home soil and internationally. As well as releasing music, you can find them performing at venues including Siddharta Lounge and Barasti, and working with brands such as La Perle and Jumeirah.

BEST COMEDY GIG DXB LAUGHS PRESENTS KEVIN BRIDGES AT DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges has previous when it comes to winning awards, and he can now add a What’s On gong to his trophy cabinet. His stand-up routine, brought to the UAE by Done Events last October at the World Trade Centre, was a great night out and a natural winner for our Best Comedy Gig award.

BEST URBAN NIGHT THE LIST AT BILLIONAIRE MANSION

It consistently draws in glamorous party crowds each week despite being held on a Sunday, and should be on every Dubai clubber’s bucket list. When it comes to the emirate’s top urban night, there’s nowhere better than The List at Billionaire Mansion, in part thanks to regular DJs Brooklyn, Mr Levier and Timothy Night.

BEST INTERNATIONAL DJ SET SOLOMUN AT BLUE MARLIN IBIZA UAE

Known for bringing some of the top house, EDM and techno names to the shores of the emirates, Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE’s New Year’s Eve gig featured a stellar set from European deep house DJ Solomun. He beat big names including Roger Sanchez, Martin Jensen and Hardwell to win the award.

BEST HOUSE/ TECHNO EVENT VIBE SERIES

Bringing some top underground artists to various venues across the city such as Azure Beach and Tamanya Terrace, Vibe Series has been a pioneer on the Dubai underground and alternative music scene for the past five years.

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE THE IRISH VILLAGE

From Texas to S Club 3, you can catch a diverse range of acts at The Irish Village. Walking into this venue feels like home, which is why all the gigs there successfully manage to bring sell-out crowds to the waterside location of Garhoud.

BEST BEACH CLUB ZERO GRAVITY

Loved in equal measure for its luxury ladies’ day and legendary Saturday brunch, plus its high-energy parties and international DJ gigs at night, Zero Gravity consistently manages to offer something new. You’ll have to go a long way to find a dayinto-night experience better than this in Dubai.

BEST CONCERT/GIG 117 LIVE PRESENTS ED SHEERAN AT AUTISM ROCKS ARENA

Some top acts graced the stage at Autism Rocks over the past 12 months, but one gig stood out above them all. Ed Sheeran performed his array of acoustic and up-tempo hits last November, and nearly 25,000 fans bought tickets.

BEST PUB MCGETTIGAN’S JLT

It’s a Dubai stalwart when it comes to post-work drinks or somewhere to go for a proper pint. Loved for its alfresco terrace as much as its intimate indoor live music performances and decent grub, McGettigan’s was a natural choice for our Best Pub.

BEST OUTDOOR BAR TREEHOUSE

Burj views, live acoustic sets, two ladies’ nights and a sellout Friday brunch make it one of Business Bay’s best spots. Our Best Outdoor Bar award could have gone to none other.

BEST KARAOKE VENUE LUCKY VOICE

Lucky Voice really has it all when it comes to cheesy

“ZERO GRAVITY ALWAYS MANAGES TO OFFER SOMETHING NEW TO DUBAI’S PARTY CROWD”

nights out, including two lively ladies’ nights, two wickedly wild brunches, plus private karaoke pods. Whether you’re into crowd karaoke or a more private performance, there’s nowhere we’d rather sing our hearts out.

BEST FESTIVAL SOLE DXB

Dubai isn’t exactly renowned for its homegrown street culture, but Sole DXB has changed all that. Running for three days each December, it brings together top street culture names across art, food, music, sports and style.