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.

There’s something magical about discovering a place that feels like a secret. In a city where skyscrapers pierce the desert horizon and every restaurant tries to outdo the last with spectacle, the art of hidden nightlife still thrives. These aren’t just bars—they’re immersive experiences where entry feels like being handed a key to another world. Dubai’s finest speakeasies blend intimacy, curated cocktails, and a sense of exclusivity. But to stand out in this competitive city, they must also deliver design, atmosphere, and drink menus worthy of the hype. Here’s the ultimate insider’s look at the Top 4 Speakeasies in Dubai:…

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Key Facts Headliner: Tom SeguraVenue: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, DubaiDate: 2 October 2025 — this event has already taken place On 2 October 2025, the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai will erupt in laughter as Tom Segura takes the stage to open the 7th Dubai Comedy Festival. The American comedian, actor, and podcasting juggernaut is bringing his wildly popular Come Together tour to the UAE for one night only. Presented by Live Nation Middle East, this event is set to be one of the year’s most talked-about performances — and a perfect kickoff to a festival now cemented in the region’s…

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📅 June 2026 Note — This Battle of the Sexes exhibition match took place in Dubai in 2025. Aryna Sabalenka continues to be the world’s top-ranked women’s player in 2026. Nick Kyrgios returned to the ATP Tour after injury. For upcoming tennis events in the UAE, check the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (February) and the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (January). The tennis world is buzzing with the announcement of a monumental clash between two of the sport’s most compelling and powerful personalities. But finding clear, consolidated information about this modern-day “Battle of the Sexes” can feel like a wild…

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DIFC has always had a short memory. Blink and a bar you built your Thursday nights around has become a different bar entirely, sometimes with the same address and a completely different name over the door. We went back through five DIFC venues that regularly come up when people talk about “the old DIFC” to work out what actually happened to each one, because a lot of what gets repeated about this district’s nightlife turns out to be only half true. Two of these five are genuinely gone. One never really left, it just changed its name. And two are…

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Sebastian Maniscalco heads to Abu Dhabi this October, marking his explosive Middle East debut. The American comedy titan brings his record-breaking “It Ain’t Right” tour to Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on 8 October 2025 — a major moment for fans in the UAE comedy scene.Related: explore our full Yas Island area guide for Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Etihad Arena and things to do. From viral specials to sold-out stadiums, Maniscalco’s rise to international fame has been meteoric. His unmatched physicality, Chicago-born Italian delivery, and razor-sharp take on modern absurdities have made him a household name. Now, UAE…

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You have two minutes until the Metro arrives at Business Bay, and you need to know if your NOL card has enough credit. The last thing anyone wants is the red flash at the gate. In Dubai, seamless travel depends on knowing your balance before you tap. This guide gives you every official path to check your NOL card balance fast, top up smoothly, and avoid that dreaded gate refusal. You can check your NOL card balance instantly via the RTA website, NOL Pay app, or at any Metro station machine. In This Article Understanding Your NOL Card: Your Gateway…

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Pitbull performed in Dubai on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Mr. Worldwide—the artist who’s soundtracked every club night worth remembering—brought his I’m Back tour to Coca-Cola Arena for one night only, with Lil Jon joining him on stage. Here’s a recap of the show and everything about Pitbull’s UAE history. Why This Matters Right Now Pitbull’s been around forever, but his music never ages badly. “Give Me Everything,” “Timber,” “Fireball”—these aren’t just songs you tolerate at weddings. They’re memories attached to genuinely good times. That moment when the beat drops and everyone loses their minds? That’s universal. Dubai crowds go mental…

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Key Facts Headliner: Calvin HarrisVenue: Ushuaïa Dubai, Dubai Harbour, DubaiDate: 29 November 2025 — this event has already taken place 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…

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Key Facts Headliner: David GuettaVenue: Ushuaïa Dubai, Dubai Harbour, DubaiDate: 19 December 2025 — this show has already taken place 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…

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Dubai’s love for global flavours is unmatched, but when it comes to tacos — those handheld Mexican masterpieces — the obsession is real. The city’s culinary evolution means that tacos are no longer an afterthought but a full-blown food movement. From brisket-packed tortillas to Baja-style fish with zesty crema, tacos in Dubai now hold their own on the world stage. Tacos in Dubai can be hit or miss — some places overload them with fancy toppings that drown the flavour, but the good ones keep it simple and let the meat or fish do the talking. I hit up a…

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