Author: Monica Bonalto

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Monica Bonalto arrived in Dubai in 2017 with a background in hospitality journalism and quickly became one of the most trusted voices in the UAE's dining and nightlife space. Over seven years on the ground, she has reviewed more than 400 venues across all seven emirates — from the sun-baked beach clubs of JBR and the rooftop terraces of DIFC, to the understated local gems that rarely make it onto tourist lists.Before joining What's Hot in UAE as Nightlife & Dining Editor, Monica contributed to Time Out Dubai, Abu Dhabi Food Festival coverage, and several regional hospitality publications. She has attended every major restaurant opening in Dubai since 2019 and maintains direct relationships with PRs and venue operators across the city — which means the information you read in her guides is always verified, never recycled from a press release.Her specialities are happy hours (she has personally verified every deal on our lists), Friday brunches, and the Northern Emirates' emerging food scene. She is based in DIFC and eats out five times a week. When she says a place is worth your money, it is.Follow Monica's work on Muck Rack, Substack, Vocal, and Medium.

The rumours just became reality. Pitbull is performing in Dubai on Sunday December 14, 2025. Mr. Worldwide—the artist who’s soundtracked every club night worth remembering—will bring his I’m Back tour to Coca-Cola Arena for one night only. This isn’t speculation anymore. Live Nation Middle East confirmed it. Tickets go on general sale at noon on Friday October 17, with an exclusive presale starting noon today for fans who can’t wait. If you’ve been following the whispers for months, you were right to pay attention. This is happening, and it’s going to be absolutely massive. Why This Matters Right Now Pitbull’s…

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If there’s one event changing what it means to celebrate Halloween in the UAE, it’s Geek Community Day Dubai. Returning this November for its third and biggest edition yet, Rove Hotels and Hobby Nation are turning Rove Downtown into a playground where dragons, Jedi, and Marvel heroes walk side by side. Forget pumpkins and cobwebs — this is where cosplay collides with gaming, creativity, and an unapologetic love for all things nerdy. A New Kind of Halloween in Dubai While most of Dubai will be wrapped up in parties and club nights, Rove Downtown is rewriting the script. On Saturday,…

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When it comes to Calvin Harris Dubai 2025, the energy can only go one way—sky-high. Dubai’s nightlife is about to experience another seismic moment as one of the biggest names in global dance music returns to headline the Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience this November. Saturday, 29th November, is already circled in every party-lover’s calendar. It’s the night Calvin Harris brings the spirit of Ibiza’s legendary beach club straight to the UAE’s waterfront, transforming Dubai Harbour into an open-air arena of sound, lights, and pure hedonism. A Supernova Returns After a sold-out debut that left fans begging for more, Calvin Harris…

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In a city obsessed with Michelin stars, skyline views, and culinary theatre, few cuisines define sophistication quite like Japanese. Whether it’s a handroll shared under soft lighting or wagyu served with precision worthy of haute couture, Japanese restaurants in Dubai have become the ultimate expression of taste and timing. Japanese food in Dubai has this quiet pull that keeps drawing me back, especially when I need something precise and clean after a long week. I wandered into one of the lesser-known spots in JLT a while ago — small counter, no big signs, just a sushi chef working in focused…

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Dubai is once again rewriting the rules of global aviation. In a move of unprecedented scale and ambition, the emirate has officially launched a plan to relocate all operations from the world’s busiest international hub, Dubai International Airport (DXB), to a new, colossal megaproject at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). This isn’t just an expansion; it’s a complete strategic pivot. The core reason is a problem born from unparalleled growth: DXB is a victim of its own success, rapidly approaching its absolute physical and operational limits. This monumental shift, backed by a staggering AED 128 billion ($35 billion) investment, will…

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Get ready, Dubai — David Guetta Ushuaia Dubai is officially happening on 19 December 2025, and it promises to be the defining moment of the city’s nightlife calendar.The world’s most famous DJ will bring his unmatched production and Ibiza-style atmosphere to Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour, the city’s spectacular new open-air venue overlooking the Arabian Gulf.For dance-music fans, this isn’t just another gig. It’s the night Dubai becomes the global capital of EDM. A Global Icon Returns to the Desert Stage Few DJs have reshaped electronic music quite like David Guetta. The French legend turned club beats into stadium anthems, uniting fans…

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Dubai makes you feel something. Not just see something or tick something off a list. It’s the kind of place where you walk into a shopping centre and find yourself face-to-face with a ten-metre aquarium. Where you can ski before lunch and watch camels at sunset. The city rewrites the rules, and frankly, it does so with style. If you’re hunting for the best tourist spots in Dubai, you’re not just looking for landmarks. You’re searching for experiences that stay with you long after you’ve boarded your flight home. This city delivers them in abundance. Dubai’s tourist spots can feel…

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What To Know The Return of an Icon Few names in music carry the weight of Amr Diab. Known across the Arab world and beyond as “Al Hadaba” (The Hill), he has been a cultural cornerstone for decades. On 1 November 2025, he returns to Dubai for what promises to be one of the year’s biggest concerts at Coca-Cola Arena. For fans, this is not just another gig. It is a chance to relive the soundtrack of their lives, from 1990s anthems that defined an era to the fresh sounds of his latest summer hit Khatafouni. A Voice That Transcends…

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One of Dubai’s most iconic beach clubs is preparing for a huge change. Zero Gravity, the legendary beachside venue that has defined the city’s pool party and nightlife scene for over a decade, has announced it will move from its Dubai Marina location by December 2025. A Decade of Sun, Sand, and Sound Since its opening in November 2013, Zero Gravity has been more than just a beach club—it has been a cultural landmark. Known for poolside brunches, open-air cinema nights, and late-night DJ sets that lasted until sunrise, the venue has offered countless unforgettable memories for Dubai residents and…

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