Located on the top floor in Pier7 in Dubai Marina, it wasn’t without anticipation that the visits to Atelier M were conducted. However, it’s quite evident that the place is in need of a vitamin injection - empty tables, staff that are more focused on their mobile phones than the guests they actually do have and perfunctory mixed cocktails. Give this place a makeover with new furniture, some committed bartenders, and by that also a theme on the cocktails - and this place could be set for the moon. They have a prime location, a fantastic vista over Dubai Marina and a big space to fill with guests.
Given the options in Dubai Marina, there are other places out there more fit for a cocktail evening, but if you must - go here on a Thursday night and hope for the best.
Atmosphere: 3/8
To suffer from agoraphobia in both the rooftop bar as well as the gold-overloaded bar on the floor below is not a good start - vast areas, but no people, and what it seems, no ambition to cater for the guests that actually have made it there.
Cocktails: 4/8
Luckily, it’s hard to abuse a Negroni, but there’s no finesse and no soul.
Bartenders: 3/8
Standing at the other end of the bar and yelling a “yes?” instead of actually making the effort to greet and show some interest in your customer - a good way to keep your bar empty.
Ice: 4/8
Small ice cubes, but at least lots of them.
7th Floor
Pier 7
Behind Dubai Marina Mall
Al Marsa Street
Dubai Marina