Tuesday, Wednesday to be dry days in Dubai

It will be a dry day in Dubai as the UAE marks the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Bars and clubs licensed to serve alcohol throughout the emirate will be closed or not serving alcohol from 5pm on Tuesday till 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Staff at hotels with bars and restaurants that serve alcohol told Khaleej Times that their venues would remain open, but would only be serving food and no alcohol.

A staff at the Barasti Beach bar, a popular watering hole for expats located in the Le Meridien Mina Sehayi Beach Resort and Spa on Al Sufouh Road, said the bar would remain open despite the temporary ban on alcohol.

"Because of the dry day, the last call for drinks will be at 4.30pm on Tuesday, and we won't serve alcohol again until 7pm the next day," she said. "But people are welcome to come. We will be open and we will still be serving food. Customers can also order non-alcoholic beverages."

The same policy is being put in place at the Dubai Marriot Harbour Hotel and Suites. "Everything will still be open, but because it's a dry day, we will not be serving any drinks," a spokesman told Khaleej Times.

A staff at the Siddharta Lounge, located in the Grosvenor House, said: "We're open, but unfortunately due to the dry period we won't be serving alcohol."

Some bars, however, said they would remain completely closed during the alcohol-free period.

Among them is the often crowded Fibber Magees Irish pub, which is located in Saeed Tower One off the Shaikh Zayed Road.

"Yes, we will be completely closed from 5pm Tuesday and will not reopen until we are permitted to serve drinks at 6.30pm on Wednesday," a member of the staff said.

Similarly, the Nell Gwynne English Pub in the Marina Byblos hotel said they would be closed.

"We have to remain closed. It's a dry period," a bartender said. "Tomorrow we're open 12pm until 5pm. We will see everyone again at 6pm on Wednesday."

Nightclubs and lounges - including the popular Cavalli Club in the Fairmont Hotel, Pacha Club in Madinat Jumeirah, and Societe in Dubai Marina and the Embassy Club in Grosvenor House - all reported they would be shut.