Bars & Clubs

One of Dubai’s most popular and long-standing restaurants and bars closed for business last week.

The Hard Rock Café was established in 1997 and obtained an alcohol licence through its relationship with the neighbouring Palm Hotel.

Last year the land on which the hotel and restaurant stood was sold property developer Tameer. The hotel closed in June resulting in the Hard Rock Café losing its alcohol licence.

Management promise that the Hard Rock Café will open at a new location in Dubai ‘soon’.

A new wine bar has opened at the Souk al Bahar in Downtown Burj Dubai.

Cru is situated on Level 2 of the shopping mall and offers a wide selection of wines plus finger foods.

Singing sensation Charice Pempengco is to perform in Dubai.

The Filipina singer will appear in concert at the Filipino Music Festival at Dubai Festival City on February 19 2009.

The 16 year old shot to fame through video performances on YouTube and recently sang at the Barack Obama’s pre-inaugural ball.

Outlets selling tickets include Spinneys and Hallmark.

Kylie Minogue will give her first ever public concert in the Middle East at Dubai Festival City on November 21 2008. Tickets go on sale on September 24 and are available from www.boxofficeme.com.

The event is park of her X2008 Tour. A day earlier she will perform to 2,000 select guests at the official opening ceremony of the Atlantis resort.

De La Soul, the Grammy Award-winning, hip hop group from New York will be performing at The Lodge in Oud Metha on June 3 2008. Entry is Dhs 140 and the doors open at 8 pm.

German DJ and producer Timo Maas will be performing at the Madinat Arena on March 28. The price on the door is Dhs 140 for men and Dhs 100 for ladies.

The 2008 Dubai Desert Rock Festival will be held at Dubai Festival City on March 7 and 8. Bands appearing at the two day event include Korn, Muse, Machine Head, and Velvet Revolver. 1 day and 2 day tickets priced at Dhs 250 and Dhs 350 can be purchased by calling +971 4 210 8567.

The severity of Dubai’s drug laws was highlighted yesterday when influential British DJ Grooverider was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for possession of cannabis. Grooverider, the stage name of Raymond Bingham, is widely recognised as one of the founders of the drum and bass movement.

Grooverider was arrested at Dubai International Airport in Novemeber as he flew into to perform at The Lodge nightclub. He had forgotten to remove a joint containing 2.16 grams of cannabis from his trousers.

Earlier this month another British visitor, Keith Brown, was jailed for 4 years after 0.003 g of cannabis was found stuck to the bottom of his shoe. The piece of cannabis was so small that it could not been seen with the naked eye.

The severity of Dubai’s drug laws was highlighted yesterday when influential British DJ Grooverider was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for possession of cannabis. Grooverider, the stage name of Raymond Bingham, is widely recognised as one of the founders of the drum and bass movement.

Grooverider was arrested at Dubai International Airport in Novemeber as he flew into to perform at The Lodge nightclub. He had forgotten to remove a joint containing 2.16 grams of cannabis from his trousers.

Earlier this month another British visitor, Keith Brown, was jailed for 4 years after 0.003 g of cannabis was found stuck to the bottom of his shoe. The piece of cannabis was so small that it could not been seen with the naked eye.

Dutch trance DJ Tiesto will be performing at the Madinat Arena on February 14 2008. The show starts and 9 pm and runs to 3 am, with a warm-up set by DJ Fredelux. Ticketsare priced at 250 AED and can be booked by calling the Madinat Jumeirah Box Office on 04 366 65 46.