Best Pubs

There’s nothing like an afternoon in your local. We searched high and low, for the best pubs. Here they are. Discuss this article

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Winner

Belgian Beer Café
There was only one runner in this category. It wasn’t until Belgian Beer Café (quickly and affectionately shortened to BBC by regulars) opened its doors in April that Dubai could offer a sophisticated draft selection to its drinking population – naturally all from Belgium. It was also the first time we could enjoy such fine mussels and Belgian sausage while enjoying sparkling views of the Creek from its outdoor deck. Walk inside and a sense of Europe slaps you across the face like an EU directive. From the shiny trumpet, weathered leather satchels and hundreds of other eye-catching clutter hanging from the coat stands and walls, everything is authentic; flown in directly from the land of chocolates itself. Head down on a Thursday post-work to join the busy loosened-tie crowd, or spend a long, lazy afternoon there, over fine fare and a paper.

Runners-Up:

Irish Village
While there might be a billion other Irish hooch houses between Dubai, Delhi and Derby, how many of them have a duck pond right by the tables? Exactly. It’s this attractive setting coupled with decent drinks, consistent food and live music that makes this one of the city’s longest serving and popular haunts. The occasionally brusque service is admittedly not to everyone’s tastes, but we like to think the bar staff are refreshingly honest, and they do know how to pour a pint – which is a distressingly rare trait in Dubai. So hats off to the IV and may it outlive us all. Slàinte!

Nezesaussi
Inside this bright, frenetic sports-fuelled place, matches blare, the central bar bustles and all is set for the next big game. In the corner, the open plan kitchen sizzles purposefully. Nezesaussi also caters for sports widows with its pretty outdoor courtyard area, which is where we urge anyone with an aversion to blaring football or rugby commentaries to head, as well as any guilty smokers (the bar is smoke free). The only irritating thing we can point out about the place is its name: a forced amalgamation of ‘New Zealand’, ‘South Africa’ and ‘Australia’. Despite that, we suggest you get down there on a Thursday night to feel flying testosterone blend with a palpable buzz about the upcoming weekend. If you can actually communicate to your mates the name of where you want to meet, that is.

See the winners of the Al Fresco category click here
See the winners of the nightclub category click here
See the winners of the indoor category click here
See the winners of the venue category click here