Galaxy Bar opened just recently with ambitions set through the roof - with a door policy stating “no effort - no entry”, and an initial idea about minimum spend of 2,500 AED per two persons, they left most of Dubai’s cocktail scene behind before even opening. It seems though it hasn’t quite panned out the way they expected, you can come in without adhering to the minimum spend and it’s anyway rare to have people in DIFC wearing shorts, t-shirts or flip-flops making the dress policy a bit redundant. With a focus on the brandy-like Metaxa, given the Greek mothership nextdoor - Avli by Tashas - the bartenders have done a good job to still keep the cocktails interesting and to the point. But pricing - let’s discuss the prices - to pay 100 AED for a cocktail is a robbery. Having said all this though - Galaxy Bar definitely is one to set the bar for the rest, and give it a few months and they may well end up in the top.
Go here for the fantastic speakeasy style bar, drink solid cocktails, watch the flair of below-mentioned Francesco and get mildly upset by the prices.
Atmopsphere: 7/8
With an atmosphere of a speakeasy bar and decorated flawlessly, the only thing faulting this bar is the sometimes too loud music.
Cocktails: 7/8
This place is serious about their cocktails, unfortunately so to the extent that they tend to overcharge you for them - but go here, at least once, if in Dubai. You won’t regret it.
Bartenders: 6/8
In the line-up of bartenders that all pass the decent bar there are a few gems, out of which Fransesco Darienzo is the brightest shining star.
Ice: 7/8
Big clear ice cubes vouches for cold cocktails that don’t get diluted - now just put a big ice block in the bar as a centerpiece and it’s bullseye.
The Gate Village
Gate Village 02
Ground Floor
DIFC