The weekend’s here, people! You know it’s a borderline federal crime to be a Dubai expat and not brunch on Friday. Here’s a list of awesome boozy brunches in Dubai to make sure your weekend plans sound more interesting than “Netflix and Ben and Jerry’s on loop” come Sunday morning.
Fall down the rabbit hole at Bubbalicious
You’ll witness everything you typically would while tripping on shrooms, without the latter. Try not to spill your drink while watching the Chinese acrobats perform and try not to drown in happy tears while going wild at the petting zoo. Yes – you read that right – petting zoo! HollA at your boy Lewis Carroll while strolling down the Alice in Wonderland themed dessert alley. Bubbalicious is hosted every Friday, from 1PM to 4PM. It’s located at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina.
The damage: Brunch packages range from 450 to 680 dirhams.
It’s all hush hush at The Secret Garden Brunch
What to expect: Get your Hillary Clinton-esque pantsuit on because this is a big kid’s brunch. Hosted at the elegant Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah, don’t expect dirty jokes at the table and people to gradually strip the closer it gets to 4PM. This is a fancy brunch – think bespoke selection of French raw milk cheeses, champagne with a cherry bobbing in it, and guests wearing black clothes that don’t have cat fluff in them. Children are encouraged to attend, Executive Chef Jens Muenchenbach will help them discover new flavors with a comprehensive menu. The WA’s Secret Garden Brunch is hosted every Friday from 1PM to 4PM. It’s located at Mezzerie, Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah.
The damage: Packages range from 425 dirhams for house beverages to 725 dirhams for French bubbly. The soft drinks package is priced at 345 dirhams per person.
Rock out at the Rock Star Brunch
What to expect: Load up on hand sanitizer by the gallon because things are going to get messy at this brunch. By the end of the afternoon, your table will be covered in rainbow stains from the ridiculously massive cocktails and grease from all the seafood you’ll be tucking into. If your lips haven’t touched crab since you watched The Little Mermaid, the menu also includes American buffalo wings, BBQ ribs, smoked beef brisket and apple pie just like your momma used to make it. (Shout out to all the readers who’d rather have kenefeh just like their momma used to make it). The DJ will be dishing out classic disco hits to get that booty rocking and rolling. The Rockstar Brunch is hosted every Friday from 12PM to 4PM. It’s located at Claw BBQ, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai.
The damage: Packages range from 229 dirhams to 339 dirhams per person.
Get turnt and tanned at the Mas Mas Maya Brunch
What to expect: It’s time to prove to yourself that investing in that giant sombrero that one Halloween wasn’t a stupid mistake. Things are about to get muy caliente at the Mas Mas Maya Brunch. Indulge in a sumptuous spread of homemade huarache, quesadillas, and epic nachos. Once you’ve tickled your tummy, sink your teeth into rib-eye steak fajitas, lamb chops marinated in adobo and sea food in achiote coconut sauce and cilantro rice. Soak up some sunshine by the pool while forking around banana fill in crepes with caramelized milk, sherbet and ice cream. The Mas Mas Maya Brunch is hosted every Friday from 1PM to 4PM. It’s located at Maya Mexican Kitchen, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa.
The damage: Soft beverage package is 325 dirhams. Boozy brunch package is 475 dirhams.
It’s all about 80s vibes at the Disco Sushi Brunch
What to expect: Dig up those ironic neon glasses and book a perm at your salon! You’ll be calling in sick to work because disco fever is in town. Okay, I’m done being cheesy now. The Disco Sushi Brunch features twelve whopping courses, including a plate of sumptuous yuzu-saikyo miso black cod, wasabi rock shrimp, avocado volcano and ginger salmon sashimi as well as a prime selection of sushi. Wet your whistle with the lounge’s signature Bloody Mary and passion fruit martini. Boys, get your shades and cringe-worthy white blazers out. Girls, get those hot and happening cocktail dresses out and get your hair all bouffant-ed up. Why? Because the dress code is Miami Vice! The Disco Sushi Brunch is hosted every Friday from 12.30 PM to 5PM. The shindig is strictly reservations only, with a minimum booking of four people. It’s located at the award-winning Okku in the H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road.
The damage: Soft drinks package is 399 dirhams and premium drinks package is 599 dirhams.
WE SAID THIS: If you happen to find yourself in Egypt, make sure to check out 7 Top Spots To Have a Boozy Brunch in Cairo.