DIFC nightlife has changed quickly, and old booking pages can make a long closed venue look active. These five names capture an earlier era of the district. This is a look back, not a list of places to reserve tonight. 1. 7 Elephants 7 Elephants opened in Emirates Financial Towers in 2017 with seven cuisines,…
DIFC nightlife has changed quickly, and old booking pages can make a long closed venue look active. These five names capture an earlier era of the district. This is a look back, not a list of places to reserve tonight.
1. 7 Elephants
7 Elephants opened in Emirates Financial Towers in 2017 with seven cuisines, seven signature cocktails and a busy after work crowd. What’s On reported its permanent closure in May 2018. The short run is part of why people still remember its unusual all in one concept.
2. Indochine Dubai
The French Vietnamese restaurant and lounge brought the New York name to DIFC in 2019. Its candlelit dining room and late evenings built a following, but What’s On reported that the Dubai venue closed in October 2023. Do not confuse older Dubai listings with the continuing brand elsewhere.
3. Caramel and Spark by Caramel
Caramel and its later Spark by Caramel name belong to this look back at DIFC restaurant-lounges. The old Gate District Building 3 listing remains online, while the linked Zomato record has marked the venue permanently closed. Do not use a remembered ladies’ night or an old Tuesday promotion as a current plan. The appeal of this section is the district’s nightlife history, not a promise that the same room or offer can still be booked.
4. Gaucho DIFC
Gaucho brought an Argentine steakhouse and bar atmosphere to Gate Village 05. The venue was trading in 2018, as The National reported at the time. More recent directory listings for that specific Dubai location mark it permanently closed. A global Gaucho website or an old reservation listing is not proof that the DIFC restaurant is taking bookings.
5. Indie Kitchen & Lounge
Indie occupied the upper level above Gaucho at Gate Village 05, with a bar and restaurant concept built for a lively night out. Gulf News covered the Gaucho partnership when the concept launched. We could not verify that Indie is currently trading from a venue controlled booking or event source. Older directory pages still describe it, but that is not enough to recommend a visit. We include it here as a remembered DIFC venue rather than an open bar.
Where to go in DIFC now
For a current meal, our DIFC restaurant guide separates the district’s present dining choices from these former venues. Use DIFC’s directory and the chosen restaurant’s own booking page for the actual visit. A familiar old venue name is useful history, but a new operator in the same building can have a different menu, entrance and programme. Choose the current concept rather than planning around a former offer.
FAQs
Is 7 Elephants still open?
No. Its closure was reported in May 2018.
Did Indochine Dubai close?
Yes. Its DIFC closure was reported in October 2023.
Is Spark by Caramel open?
Its current Zomato entry says permanently closed. Do not plan around an old Caramel or Spark offer.
Are Gaucho and Indie taking bookings in DIFC?
Current directory information marks Gaucho’s DIFC location closed. We could not establish a current venue controlled booking source for Indie. Check directly before making plans around either name.
