Spark, formerly known as Caramel, has been around in DIFC for close to ten years, and it’s actually quite easy to see why - this place is an after work place following the standard book chapter 1A: Decent furniture, good location and the standard range of drinks with prices that don’t scare off too many. But from a cocktail perspective, it all kind of ends there - the ambitions die when the footfall is too small or only demands the ordinary after work setup; beer, wine by the glass or Gin & Tonics.
If you’re in DIFC and you don’t have time to go to Gate Village, come here for the dutiful drink, but don’t expect to be wowed.
Atmosphere: 4/8
Even though it’s been recently refurbished, and is located in the financial centre, this place seems outdated - the furniture is nice, but too bland, the bar is darker than a dungeon, and the staff seem to long for guests so much that they forget to listen to the ones they have.
Cocktails: 4/8
Average cocktails that do the job, but nothing more.
Bartenders: 3/8
After having discussed boozy cocktails in general, and Sazeracs especially, the bartender somehow comes up with the idea to serve the Sazerac with crushed(!) ice.
Ice: 5/8
Let’s not make a mountain of a molehill - they may have served the Sazerac with crushed ice, but apart from that, they do have big ice cubes.
https://caramelgroup.com/venues/spark-by-caramel-dubai/
Level 2
Building 3
DIFC