Stepping in to Noir Bar in Kempinski Mall of the Emirates is like setting your foot in another world. When allocating the budget for design, someone was feeling generous, because the place is breathtaking. The panoramic windows behind the bar let you enjoy the black and white silent film projected on the exterior wall, and outside it is about as impressive as the interior. But it all comes to an end when ordering the drinks - first of all it takes ages to order, then I’m served an ordinary Negroni when having ordered their flagship Black Diamond Negroni. A “Sorry sir, our mistake.”, would be expected, or no? No. Once served, The Black Diamond Negroni is being served in the same glass (the waiter was very clear about which glass was mine and which was my friend’s). Later, when asking the jovial bar manager for an Old Fashioned with Rye Whiskey and Maple Syrup, he serves me an Old Fashioned with Bourbon and honey(?!), without even so much as asking if that's ok - and then we knew it was time to go.
Go here and order safe cards - bottled beer, water or soft drinks, and enjoy the atmosphere, but skip the cocktails.
Atmosphere: 7/8
Imposing design gives you a bar that you just wish would tick all the other boxes.
Cocktails: 3/8
The cocktails just don’t reach even par, sadly.
Bartenders: 2/8
Bartenders that don’t listen to their guests.
Ice: 4/8
Hit and miss - they do have clear ice, but they don’t use it?