Dubai during Ramadan?
 

Hi,

I am supposed to be going to Dubai next weekend for 2 nights. I obviously didn't realize that it would be during Ramadan when I booked it. We are supposed to be staying at the Atlantis.

What will be open (both in and out of the hotel)? Will I be able to eat during the day at the hotel without being offensive? How about bars/clubs at night - will they be open and serving? Do Western tourists stop coming during Ramadan?

Thanks for any advice, this would be my first time to the Middle East in general (nevermind during Ramadan) and have no idea what to expect.

Most major hotels will have at least one restaurant open throughout the day. The iftar meals, to break the fast at sunset, are a highlight -- five-star hotels have huge, festive buffets, followed by suhour meals throughout the night. Last year I enjoyed the iftar at the Shangi-La on Skeikh Zayed Road, the year before that at the Sheraton Dubai Creek, both of which were outstanding.

The malls and large shopping areas will be open; some smaller shops will not be.

Most places do not serve alcohol at all during the month. :( I am not sure if there are exceptions; there might not be.

Actually most places still serve alcohol although not until sunset, usually classed as 7pm.

Atlantis will be operating pretty much as normal the same as other Hotels, you'll be able to find somewhere to eat and drink during the day.

Food places etc outside Hotels will be closed, most clubs won't be open and those that do won't have live music or dancing. Bars are mainly attached to Hotels anyway ( apart from Irish Village and Century Village ) and they'll be operating as usual after sunset.

Western tourists will still be there, it's the height of the holiday season for Europeans.

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I don't need to cancel my trip.

Same deal here. Dubai during Ramadan.

Will duty free be open at DXB? Note: Landing at 19:30hrs

...Or will they confiscate my on-board liquor purchase at customs?

Duty free will operate as normal, 24 hours a day

Anything else a non-Muslim should know while spending a weekend in Dubai at a resort? I'll be at the Atlantis.

Cheers.

Avoid eating or drinking in public places before iftar (e.g., drinking from a water bottle if you're walking around the mall).

As mecabq said, iftar meals are special -- try to go to one; you'll experience a new environment and get to taste all the specialty dishes (hotel iftar buffets are extra lavish!)

Whether at Atlantis or at any resort, you won't even notice that it is Ramadan. If you time your visits to Malls for after Iftar, you won't even notice that it is Ramadan there either.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9530/4.7.0.113 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I'm here now and can confirm that completely.

Was able to eat at the pool and all over theplace without any issues whatsoever.

troyb, what is the story on alcohol? I would think that many, if not most, hotels ceased serving during Ramadan (even after sunset). But some other posters here have reported that it would be business as usual. Can you please share your experience?

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9530/4.7.0.113 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

No alcohol anywhere I could find during the day but it was free flowing after sunset.

They did close their club, Sanctuary, for all of Ramadan.

hope this helps.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately), ordering and drinking alcohol becomes a bit of a closet activity during Ramadan, even in Dubai. The workaround if you are in a hotel or resort and you need a drink during the day is of course to plan ahead and order the appropriate CDT to be sent to your room the night before. You can enjoy said CDT laying back on your bacony. There's other more devious ways, involving Philipino Bell Hops but probably not worth the hassle or the potential of having to deal with hungry and thirsty policemen and magistrates on a hot August afternoon.

I've visited a dozen times, 3 trips during Ramadan, booze is available as normal pretty much everywhere after sunset, only exception may be if you're on a desert trip.

The only other change is that Cocktail hours in Hotel exec lounges are either shortened or rearranged.

If someone can't go through the day without beer then there's always the mini bar in the room.