Hudson Tavern
A stylish speakeasy brings new vibes to Business Bay
Asole black telephone in a boxlike room is the indicator you’ve made it to Hudson Tavern, a speakeasy-style bar that’s bringing New York cool to Business Bay’s Hyde Hotel. This dimly lit, two-sided drinking den oozes date-night appeal: one side laidback with leather booths built into cosy corners, the other sees a grand bar take centre stage, backed by a trio of alcoves packed with rainbow-coloured bottles and fancy glassware. Jewel tones of ruby red and emerald green pop against a palette of dark woods, adding a touch of glamour to an otherwise masculine space. It’s small and inviting, and even though it’s quiet on a midweek evening when we visit, it still manages to feel warm.
The drinks menu is an impressive read, divided between ‘wind up’ (alcoholic) and ‘wind down’ (non-alcoholic) with a collection of bottled and draft brews, too. A Peachy Keen (Dhs70) is sweet and fruity, blending peach puree with apple juice, tequila and a punch of lime and jalapeno, while We are the Champions (Dhs80), served in a long glass over ice, fuses tequila with berry beer and grapefruit.
Going far beyond the traditional bar bites menu, there are sharing plates such as beef tartare (Dhs95), neatly plated and packed with flavour and served with veal bone marrow, and a seafood corner from which we select tuna tacos (Dhs95) – tortillas loaded with diced tuna and topped with Hudson’s special sauce. Both arrive swiftly. Forgoing the collection of burgers that can be paired with endless sides and sauces, we pick the Hudson lobster roll (Dhs125), which comes as mouthfuls of fresh lobster dunked in a delicious spicy mayo served in a brioche roll that unfortunately edges a little on the dry side.
Our only critique is the music, cranked unnecessarily loud for the early evening crowd, and somehow the current chart hits seem misplaced in this sultry, speakeasy setting.
aHyde Hotel, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, daily 4pm to 1am. Tel: (0)4 871 1111, @hudsontaverndubai