Billionaire Dubai
Can an immersive dinner-and-a-show replace a night on the dance floor?
The announcement of Billionaire Dubai opening in Taj Hotel coincides with the city’s shift in nightlife offerings. Gone are the days of rubbing shoulders on a heaving dance floor. In are classy dinners and top-quality stage entertainment. Billionaire promises the latter, so we went to investigate.
A word of forewarning: this is a late-night dinner spot, where revelries kick off from 9pm, and you won’t be eating mains ‘till gone 11pm. But Dubai’s night owls will be rewarded handsomely. Thick red theatrical curtains drape across much of the venue, while the main dining hall exudes a suave Prohibition era atmosphere.
The evening’s entertainment has been devised by former Cirque Du Soleil director, Montserrat (Montse) Moré. Flawlessly choreographed, we’re treated to narrativeled dance routines, paired with vocals by three talented singers you won’t have seen in the usual Dubai spots. The highlight of the evening was an incredible contemporary dance performance to Andra Day’s Rise Up. The powerful performance was delivered effortlessly by the very talented male and female dance duo.
But it’s not just the entertainment that deserves rapturous applause. Chef Batuhan Piatti Zeyneloglu shares the spotlight, laying down a menu that flits between pan-Asian and traditional Italian, offering maki rolls in a variety of combinations, wagyu carpaccio and tomato gnocchetti, among others.
As the night continues, the good vibes build, and it’s hard not to get up and join in. But, while Covid restrictions remain firmly in place, we’ll happily settle for a shoulder shuffle and a foot tap from the comfort of our seat.
Dubai, Business Bay, daily from 9pm, a la carte. Tel: (0)4 510 3100. @billionairedubaiofficial