JamBase

Live music provides beats with your eats 7 Reviews

Meal Deal

Jumeirah Restaurant Week

The restaurant promotion returns for a second year, offering set menus at Jumeirah restaurants across the city. Dhs120 (casual dining) (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

© ITP Images

The closest thing Dubai has to a proper jazz bar, Jambase doubles as both one of the best live music venues in the city, and one of the best bars for dining. Although you’re more likely to hear pop hits and soul classics from the house band, the vibe is all jazz bar. In décor the bar recalls south London’s award-winning The Hideaway, eschewing the dim candlelit jazz bar clichés in favour of modern primary colours and brighter lighting. Kind of like a nightclub for grown-ups. The food is fantastic, a tight menu of classics perked up by some startling fresh sea food options, and the drinks menu is rich and plentiful. For music and food lovers alike, well worth a look.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 21 March 2012

• Previous reviews
  • 28 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 29 July,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 24 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 17 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 13 September,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai
  • 01 March,2005- reviewed by Matthew Lee

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Luke on 13 Jul ' 12 at 18:33

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Had the most embarrassing experience ever at Jambase.

Special vouchers were purchased, but were not recognized by the restaurant. We had already sat and ordered food, and even though we presented the restaurant with receipts and confirmations for the vouchers purchased, we were still refused.

Staff were rude and obnoxious, and when we had asked for the bill for what we had taken, so that we could leave, we had to wait for a further 20 minutes - Just to go through the same situation with another employee!! All we asked was to pay and leave..... Awful service. This was supposed to be a special event for me and wife, to recognize the birthday of a family member who unfortunately lost their battle to a terminal illness. A complete disaster.

Love the restaurant, Hated the inhumanity of the humans.

Posted by: Lynn Kirkwood on 09 Jul ' 12 at 10:49

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

We used to go to Jambase quite a lot a year or so back as the band were very good however, the supper club now has a more jazz type feel to it so unless you enjoy serious jazz music then this is not for you. Meal was okay but not overly impressed and think there are better options out there in Dubai. Unlikely, to attend venue again unless I hear that the band has changed.

Posted by: Xiaopa on 06 Jul ' 11 at 13:35

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Went there 2-3 weeks ago for a birthday party. We were 10 persons arriving around 8pm. Once we ordered it took the kitchen more than one hour to bring the food to our table!

I ordered a lamb shank: overcooked and dry. Friends took the salmon: better cooked at home than there. The worst was a soup which was meant to be a clam chowder: nobody realized there was seafood and thought it was a strange onion soup (as it was served in a bread as is normally the French onion soup). Deserts were no better and the birthday cake they offered (this was a nice touch from their side) was pretty bad as well.

Overall an ok place to go if you like to spend money for bad food and not be able to speak during the evening due to loud music. Might be better to go there only for dancing.

Posted by: Gio on 29 Oct ' 10 at 19:01

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

1 word: Rip off

Posted by: ammar on 26 Mar ' 10 at 22:41

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

it was a nice place over all to spend your evening,, but i have seen better places where your value for your money is felt and appreciated. but to be honest i loved the music there and i would go again to dance and have fun.
the menu is short and you don't have a lot of options, you need to wait for like an hour to get your food. if you are in your first date and you want to spend the whole evening in one place then go there.

Posted by: Ben on 25 Mar ' 10 at 18:26

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On booking I asked about the nature of the live music. I was told it was an original eclectic blend of african and euro music.

When the band started it was Phil Collins covers and then more covers for the next 2 hours. When the set was finished, it was a relief. The recorded music was a blessing and a hell of a lot more original than the band. Hardly suiting the name of Jambase, nor the description offered to me.

The prices are exorbitant, the music is 100% covers, the service good, the food good although a bit over salted and lacking in taste except for the oysters. On principle, the misrepresentation of being a live music venue with original jamming bands, BOYCOTTEt!!!!

To listen to cover music whilst eating, better to go to some cheap restaurant in Diera with a cover band as this is basically Jambase. Ridiculously expensive and cheap crap music. Cheapest glass of wine is $12 and the servings are stingy. Summary = Ripoff!!!

Posted by: linda on 09 Oct ' 09 at 08:10

• Best for: Romantic

jambase are now charging to go in and stand up. no thanks. my last visit here before summer saw it free and empty so why would i pay to go in now. sorry nothings changed to warrent charging just to go in.