Akiba Dori is one of those places you truly enjoy once you're there, but you're reluctant to make the effort from the beginning to go there, for one or another reason. From a cocktail perspective, you might as well stay at home, but people - if in Dubai, go here at least once - for the pizza! It's divine! Even after having proper dinners before coming, I've still managed to munch a Tokyo-style Neapolitan Margherita (or two) without problems. They are true works of art, and the time between order and delivery is so short you for sure will contemplate to order yet another one.
Come here for the Hitachino Nest, Tokyo-style Neapolitan smoking hot pizza and the feeling of being in a foodhall in Tokyo - but leave the true cocktail ambitions home.
Atmosphere: 5/8
As a cocktail bar, Akiba Dori leaves a fair bit to wish for - but the focus here is on the food, not the drinks.
Cocktails: 4/8
Cocktails that once had a thought behind them, but now they’re unfortunately pale versions of the classics. “Yeah, so the umeshu didn’t work out that well, so it’s sweet vermouth now instead, and Campari since we couldn’t get hold of Rinomato any more.”, is the explanation behind the signature Negronin - so why not change the menu?
Bartenders: 5/8
Bartenders that most of all are working to serve the waiters with their orders, and pay very little attention to the guests in the bar - but this is, as mentioned above, not a cocktail bar per se.
Ice: 4/8
Small ice cubes, diluted drink - but at least there’s a lot of them.
Building 8
Unit 5
Dubai Design District