Today we’re announcing the shortlist for this year’s awards – the nominees from each category – and the overall winners will finally be revealed on Wednesday March 27
Events
Best ladies' night
• Asia Asia, Pier 7
• Drai’s Dubai, Meydan Racecourse
• folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Il Faro, Palm Jumeirah
• Mr. Miyagi’s, Media One Hotel
• Ramusake, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• Soho Garden, Meydan Racecourse
• STK JBR, Rixos Premium Dubai
• The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
• Drai’s Dubai, Meydan Racecourse
• folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Il Faro, Palm Jumeirah
• Mr. Miyagi’s, Media One Hotel
• Ramusake, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• Soho Garden, Meydan Racecourse
• STK JBR, Rixos Premium Dubai
• The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
Best gentlemen's night
• Asia De Cuba, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• QWERTY, Media One Hotel
• Vault, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
• Weslodge, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
• WXYZ, Aloft City Centre Deira
• QWERTY, Media One Hotel
• Vault, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
• Weslodge, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
• WXYZ, Aloft City Centre Deira
Best comedy gig
• Ardal O’Hanlon, McGettigan’s JLT
• Dave Chappelle, DXB Laughs at Dubai World Trade Centre
• Gad Elmaleh, Dubai Opera
• Ian Smith, Fringe @ Four at Warehouse Four
• Jason Byrne, McGettigan’s JLT
• John Fothergill, The Laughter Factory
• Larry Dean, The Laughter Factory
• Rob Deering, The Laughter Factory
• Tom Wrigglesworth, The Laughter Factory
• Totally Wired, Fibber Magee’s
• Dave Chappelle, DXB Laughs at Dubai World Trade Centre
• Gad Elmaleh, Dubai Opera
• Ian Smith, Fringe @ Four at Warehouse Four
• Jason Byrne, McGettigan’s JLT
• John Fothergill, The Laughter Factory
• Larry Dean, The Laughter Factory
• Rob Deering, The Laughter Factory
• Tom Wrigglesworth, The Laughter Factory
• Totally Wired, Fibber Magee’s
Best festival
• BAO Festival, Meydan Racecourse
• Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
• Groove on the Grass, Emirates Golf Club
• Kaynouna, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
• One Africa Festival, Dubai Festival City Arena
• Oktoberfest, Grand Hyatt Dubai
• RedFest DXB 2019, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
• Social Collective, Barasti
• Sole DXB, Dubai Design District
• Sunsets Festival, Barasti
• Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
• Groove on the Grass, Emirates Golf Club
• Kaynouna, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
• One Africa Festival, Dubai Festival City Arena
• Oktoberfest, Grand Hyatt Dubai
• RedFest DXB 2019, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
• Social Collective, Barasti
• Sole DXB, Dubai Design District
• Sunsets Festival, Barasti
Best gig under 3,000
• 50 Cent, BASE Dubai
• Biffy Clyro, by 117 Live at Hard Rock Cafe
• Diddy, by NPJ Management at Gotha
• Feeder, Dubai Opera
• Haçienda Classiçal, Dubai Opera
• Jake Bugg, Dubai Opera
• James, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
• Newton Faulkner, PizzaExpress Live
• Toploader, The Irish Village
• Underworld, Groove on the Grass
• Biffy Clyro, by 117 Live at Hard Rock Cafe
• Diddy, by NPJ Management at Gotha
• Feeder, Dubai Opera
• Haçienda Classiçal, Dubai Opera
• Jake Bugg, Dubai Opera
• James, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
• Newton Faulkner, PizzaExpress Live
• Toploader, The Irish Village
• Underworld, Groove on the Grass
Best gig 3,000+
• Alicia Keys, Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre by Done Events
• Backstreet Boys, Blended Festival 2018 at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre by Done Events
• Enrique Iglesias, The Pointe
• Fatboy Slim, Zero Gravity
• G-Eazy, RedFest DXB 2019, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
• George Ezra, Dubai World Trade Centre by Live Nation
• Jamiroquai, Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre by Done Events
• Jason Derulo, Global Village
• Snow Patrol, Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre by Done Events
• Stereophonics, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
• Backstreet Boys, Blended Festival 2018 at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre by Done Events
• Enrique Iglesias, The Pointe
• Fatboy Slim, Zero Gravity
• G-Eazy, RedFest DXB 2019, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
• George Ezra, Dubai World Trade Centre by Live Nation
• Jamiroquai, Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre by Done Events
• Jason Derulo, Global Village
• Snow Patrol, Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre by Done Events
• Stereophonics, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
Best theatrical performance
• Carmen, by the Armenian National Academic Theatre Opera and Orchestra, Dubai Opera
• Endgame by Samuel Beckett, by Danú at The Courtyard Playhouse
• Ghost the Musical, Dubai Opera
• La Perle by Dragone, by Al Habtoor Group at Al Habtoor City
• Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, Dubai Opera
• Othello, by English Touring Theatre, Dubai Opera
• Swan Lake, by Houston Ballet, Dubai Opera
• The Jersey Quartet, QE2
• The Rat Pack Live, Dubai Opera
• WOW, The Rotunda Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
• Endgame by Samuel Beckett, by Danú at The Courtyard Playhouse
• Ghost the Musical, Dubai Opera
• La Perle by Dragone, by Al Habtoor Group at Al Habtoor City
• Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, Dubai Opera
• Othello, by English Touring Theatre, Dubai Opera
• Swan Lake, by Houston Ballet, Dubai Opera
• The Jersey Quartet, QE2
• The Rat Pack Live, Dubai Opera
• WOW, The Rotunda Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
People
Best original act
• Abri & Funk Radius
• Aman Sheriff
• Almena
• As Per Casper
• Carl & the Reda Mafia
• Danny Aridi
• Hollaphonic
• Jay Abo
• Stephon LaMar
• Vandalye
• Aman Sheriff
• Almena
• As Per Casper
• Carl & the Reda Mafia
• Danny Aridi
• Hollaphonic
• Jay Abo
• Stephon LaMar
• Vandalye
Best bar band/act
• 13Daze
• About Last Night
• Adam Baluch
• Apple of Seven
• Big Mouth
• Ciaran Fox
• Gorgeous George
• Jaymie Deville
• The Boxtones
• The Swing Revue
• About Last Night
• Adam Baluch
• Apple of Seven
• Big Mouth
• Ciaran Fox
• Gorgeous George
• Jaymie Deville
• The Boxtones
• The Swing Revue
Best Dubai DJ
• Adam Graca
• Dany Neville
• DJ Bliss
• Drew Moreland
• Frederick Stone
• Jixo & Danz
• Mar+Mer
• Moky Ezra
• Shef Codes
• Tango x Willow
• Dany Neville
• DJ Bliss
• Drew Moreland
• Frederick Stone
• Jixo & Danz
• Mar+Mer
• Moky Ezra
• Shef Codes
• Tango x Willow
Venues
Best mixed drinks bar
• Asia Asia, Pier 7
• At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa
• BARBARY Deli & Cocktail Club, TRYP by Wyndham Dubai
• Carnival by Trèsind, Burj Daman
• Gold on 27, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• La Carnita, InterContinental Dubai Marina
• Masti, La Mer
• Poppy by David Myers, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai
• The Social Room, InterContinental Dubai Marina
• At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa
• BARBARY Deli & Cocktail Club, TRYP by Wyndham Dubai
• Carnival by Trèsind, Burj Daman
• Gold on 27, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• La Carnita, InterContinental Dubai Marina
• Masti, La Mer
• Poppy by David Myers, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai
• The Social Room, InterContinental Dubai Marina
Best live music bar
• Bar Baar, Majestic City Retreat Hotel
• Club Se7en, Park Regis Kris Kin
• Hard Rock Cafe, Dubai Festival City
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• Jazz @ PizzaExpress, Jumeirah Lakes Towers
• Lock, Stock & Barrel JBR – The Walk, Rixos Premium Dubai
• MusicHall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
• PizzaExpress Live, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay
• Q’s Bar & Lounge, Palazzo Versace
• The Irish Village, Garhoud
• Club Se7en, Park Regis Kris Kin
• Hard Rock Cafe, Dubai Festival City
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• Jazz @ PizzaExpress, Jumeirah Lakes Towers
• Lock, Stock & Barrel JBR – The Walk, Rixos Premium Dubai
• MusicHall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
• PizzaExpress Live, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay
• Q’s Bar & Lounge, Palazzo Versace
• The Irish Village, Garhoud
Best sports bar
• Barrels, Majestic City Retreat
• Crown & Lion, Byblos Hotel
• garden on 8, Media One Hotel
• Goodfellas, Ramee Rose Hotel
• McGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington Hotel
• The Dubliner’s, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
• The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill, Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at The Mall
• The Red Lion, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai
• The Underground, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection
• Trophy Room, Fairmont Dubai
• Crown & Lion, Byblos Hotel
• garden on 8, Media One Hotel
• Goodfellas, Ramee Rose Hotel
• McGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington Hotel
• The Dubliner’s, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
• The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill, Citymax Hotel Al Barsha at The Mall
• The Red Lion, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai
• The Underground, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection
• Trophy Room, Fairmont Dubai
Best all-American bar
• Black Tap, Jumeirah Al Naseem
• Champions Sports Bar, JW Marriott Deira
• CLAW BBQ, Souk Al Bahar
• Hard Rock Cafe, Dubai Festival City
• Original Wings & Rings, Liberty House
• Perry & Blackwelder’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Ribs & Brews, Hilton Al Habtoor City
• Rodeo Drive, Saeed Tower One
• Stars ’N’ Bars, La Mer
• Tr!beca Kitchen + Bar, JA Ocean View Hotel
• Champions Sports Bar, JW Marriott Deira
• CLAW BBQ, Souk Al Bahar
• Hard Rock Cafe, Dubai Festival City
• Original Wings & Rings, Liberty House
• Perry & Blackwelder’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Ribs & Brews, Hilton Al Habtoor City
• Rodeo Drive, Saeed Tower One
• Stars ’N’ Bars, La Mer
• Tr!beca Kitchen + Bar, JA Ocean View Hotel
Best in-bar entertainment
• House Party Bar, Fairmont Dubai
• Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Dubai
• Rodeo Drive, Saeed Tower One
• Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• The 44, Hilton Al Habtoor City
• Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Dubai
• Rodeo Drive, Saeed Tower One
• Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• The 44, Hilton Al Habtoor City
Best party brunch
• Big Fat Brunch, Lock, Stock and Barrel JBR – The Walk
• Brunchology, Yalumba
• Brunch Out Loud, Lucky Voice
• Dare To Brunch, STK JBR
• Dim Sum Disco, Maiden Shanghai
• Hidden Brunch, Tesoro
• Saffron, Atlantis The Palm
• The Stage Brunch, Jazz @ PizzaExpress
• Wanderlust, Garden
• Wok & Roll, Mr Miyagi’s
• Brunchology, Yalumba
• Brunch Out Loud, Lucky Voice
• Dare To Brunch, STK JBR
• Dim Sum Disco, Maiden Shanghai
• Hidden Brunch, Tesoro
• Saffron, Atlantis The Palm
• The Stage Brunch, Jazz @ PizzaExpress
• Wanderlust, Garden
• Wok & Roll, Mr Miyagi’s
Best rooftop bar
• 40 Kong, The H Dubai
• Cielo Sky Lounge, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
• Eve Penthouse & Lounge, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
• folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• Luna Sky Bar, Four Seasons Dubai International Financial Centre
• Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
• Tatami Terrace, TOMO, Raffles Dubai
• The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
• Treehouse, Taj Dubai
• Cielo Sky Lounge, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
• Eve Penthouse & Lounge, Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
• folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• Luna Sky Bar, Four Seasons Dubai International Financial Centre
• Mercury Lounge, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
• Tatami Terrace, TOMO, Raffles Dubai
• The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
• Treehouse, Taj Dubai
Best restaurant bar
• Bistrot Bagatelle, Fairmont Dubai
• Black Tap, Jumeirah Al Naseem
• BOCA, DIFC
• carine, Emirates Golf Club
• La Carnita, InterContinental Dubai Marina
• Morimoto, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai
• Pisco Lounge, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
• RÜYA, Grosvenor House Dubai
• The Social Room, InterContinental Dubai Marina
• Zuma, DIFC
• Black Tap, Jumeirah Al Naseem
• BOCA, DIFC
• carine, Emirates Golf Club
• La Carnita, InterContinental Dubai Marina
• Morimoto, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai
• Pisco Lounge, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
• RÜYA, Grosvenor House Dubai
• The Social Room, InterContinental Dubai Marina
• Zuma, DIFC
Best late-night dinner
• Billionaire Mansion, Taj Dubai
• Bistrot Bagatelle, Fairmont Dubai
• COYA, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
• La Cantine Du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
• Miss Lily’s, Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
• Bistrot Bagatelle, Fairmont Dubai
• COYA, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
• La Cantine Du Faubourg, Jumeirah Emirates Towers
• Miss Lily’s, Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
Best after-brunch party
• Bahri Bar, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
• Barasti, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• Cobra Kai, Media One Hotel
• House Party Bar, Fairmont Dubai
• Lock, Stock & Barrel JBR – The Walk, Rixos Premium Dubai
• Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Dubai
• McGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington Hotel
• Treehouse, Taj Dubai
• ubk, Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers
• Warehouse, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
• Barasti, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• Cobra Kai, Media One Hotel
• House Party Bar, Fairmont Dubai
• Lock, Stock & Barrel JBR – The Walk, Rixos Premium Dubai
• Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Dubai
• McGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington Hotel
• Treehouse, Taj Dubai
• ubk, Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers
• Warehouse, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
Best beach bar
• Barasti, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• Breeze Beach Grill, Club Vista Mare
• DRIFT Beach, One&Only Royal Mirage
• Jetty Lounge, One&Only Royal Mirage
• Key West, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai
• Laguna Lounge, Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa
• Palm Grill, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
• Shimmers, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
• The Beach House, Anantara The Palm Resort Dubai
• Wavebreaker, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
• Breeze Beach Grill, Club Vista Mare
• DRIFT Beach, One&Only Royal Mirage
• Jetty Lounge, One&Only Royal Mirage
• Key West, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai
• Laguna Lounge, Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa
• Palm Grill, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
• Shimmers, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
• The Beach House, Anantara The Palm Resort Dubai
• Wavebreaker, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
Grand prix
Beach club of the year
• Barasti, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort
• DRIFT Beach, One&Only Royal Mirage
• Nikki Beach Club, Pearl Jumeira
• Playa Nomade, Rixos The Palm
• Soho Beach, Meydan Racecourse
• Summersalt, Jumeirah Al Naseem
• Zero Gravity, Dubai Marina
• Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel & Resort
• DRIFT Beach, One&Only Royal Mirage
• Nikki Beach Club, Pearl Jumeira
• Playa Nomade, Rixos The Palm
• Soho Beach, Meydan Racecourse
• Summersalt, Jumeirah Al Naseem
• Zero Gravity, Dubai Marina
Best new nightlife venue
• Cove Beach, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
• Laurel, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
• Mama Zonia, Pier 7
• NEOS, Address Downtown
• Skorpeus, Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai
• SoBe, W Dubai – The Palm
• The Green Room, The Square, City Walk
• The London Project, Bluewaters Dubai
• Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm
• Zeta, Address Downtown
• Laurel, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai
• Mama Zonia, Pier 7
• NEOS, Address Downtown
• Skorpeus, Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai
• SoBe, W Dubai – The Palm
• The Green Room, The Square, City Walk
• The London Project, Bluewaters Dubai
• Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm
• Zeta, Address Downtown
Pub of the year
• Belgian Café, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
• Crown & Lion, Byblos Hotel Dubai, Barsha Heights
• Fibber Magee’s, Saeed Tower One
• McGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington Hotel
• Rose & Crown, The Atrium, Al Habtoor City
• The Dubliner’s, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
• The Eloquent Elephant, Taj Dubai
• The Irish Village, Garhoud
• The Lion by Nick & Scott, The H Dubai
• The Red Lion, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai
• Crown & Lion, Byblos Hotel Dubai, Barsha Heights
• Fibber Magee’s, Saeed Tower One
• McGettigan’s JLT, Bonnington Hotel
• Rose & Crown, The Atrium, Al Habtoor City
• The Dubliner’s, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
• The Eloquent Elephant, Taj Dubai
• The Irish Village, Garhoud
• The Lion by Nick & Scott, The H Dubai
• The Red Lion, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai
Bar of the year
• Barasti, Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• BARBARY Deli & Cocktail Club, TRYP by Wyndham Dubai
• Cobra Kai, Media One Hotel
• folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• Lock, Stock & Barrel – JBR The Walk, Rixos Premium Dubai
• Luna Sky Bar, Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre
• Seven Sisters, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
• Soho Garden, Meydan Racecourse
• The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
• BARBARY Deli & Cocktail Club, TRYP by Wyndham Dubai
• Cobra Kai, Media One Hotel
• folly by Nick & Scott, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Iris, The Oberoi Dubai
• Lock, Stock & Barrel – JBR The Walk, Rixos Premium Dubai
• Luna Sky Bar, Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre
• Seven Sisters, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
• Soho Garden, Meydan Racecourse
• The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
Club of the year
• 1OAK, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
• BASE, Dubai Design District
• BOA, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Cavalli Club, Fairmont Dubai
• Drai’s Dubai, Meydan Racecourse
• Gotha, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront
• Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• The Secret Room, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
• Toy Room Dubai, Meydan Racecourse
• WHITE Dubai, Meydan Grandstand
• BASE, Dubai Design District
• BOA, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Cavalli Club, Fairmont Dubai
• Drai’s Dubai, Meydan Racecourse
• Gotha, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront
• Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dubai – Jumeirah Beach
• The Secret Room, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai
• Toy Room Dubai, Meydan Racecourse
• WHITE Dubai, Meydan Grandstand