Top indie hangouts to check out in Dubai

Dubai’s only independent record store is much beloved for bringing an eclectic and well-curated selection of vinyl releases to the city. The Flip Side is especially rewarding browsing territory, as the latest techno and house records share shelf space with reggae and soul classics, obscure disco beats and 12” releases by local labels. Owner Shadi Megallaa, who is a cornerstone of Dubai’s electronic music scene, regularly hosts live DJ sessions, music documentary screenings and production seminars at the store. As an all-round champion of analogue culture, Megallaa even has his own zine, No Budget, which he edits and produces together with a handful of like-minded creatives.

Singaporean founder-chef Akmal Anuar is behind this award-winning contemporary Asian restaurant. Guided by a laid-back attitude – they welcome diners in flip-flops and don’t take reservations – 3 Fils is all about the quality and creativity of the Asian-inspired tapas on offer. Besides serving the best tuna in town, Anuar has his heart set on spreading the gospel of casual fine dining. “A lot of people are looking for homegrown concepts where the community can come and dine without the fuss and glam,” he says. Indeed, fans of 3 Fils swoon over the pared-back, frequently changing menu, often featuring bluefin maguro (tuna) and sea urchin that’s flown in fresh from Japan.

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Since late 2018, Dubai’s cinephiles have had a new spiritual home: Cinema Akil, which started out as a series of pop-up screenings and now has a brick-and-mortar presence at Alserkal Avenue. Co-founder Butheina Kazim explains her motivation to bring the best independent films from all over the world to Dubai: “The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the largest distributions of multiplexes per capita in the entire Middle East, but we don’t have anything dedicated to these kinds of films. I just thought that had to change. A city this rich in culture and diversity should have a cinema offering something equally rich and diverse.”

Among the small but growing band of third-wave coffee companies in Dubai, Drop Dubai stands out for a number of reasons. For starters, among its staff are a number of award-winning baristas, including international champions in disciplines ranging from latte art to coffee roasting. Furthermore, Drop Dubai’s founders, Ghanim Salah Al Qassim and Mahmood Al Khamis, regularly fly in coffee experts from all around the world in order to further train and inspire their in-house crew. The purist menu is free from sugary concoctions featuring whipped cream, flavourings or syrups. Instead, guests can choose and sample a range of single-origin beans from small-scale growers in Asia, Africa and Latin America that are brewed to absolute perfection.

Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.

To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com.

This article was originally published in the February 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine