- Tiger Strikes
Located within Megaplex Dubai, adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Dubai, Tiger Strikes is a brand new, adults-only, pay-per-play entertainment destination from Dubai Golf. Inside, a rich tapestry of competitive challenges and twinkling LEDs call for your attention. Earn your stripes and rack up strikes across six lanes of neon-lit bowling; or swing for slips-hit sixes with WIKIT, an impressive augmented reality cricket simulator featuring real-time immersive graphics feedback. The pub sports portfolio doesn’t end there. Darts has been given a futuristic retrofit with multiple, incredibly addictive digital game types for friends to try and hit the bullseye on; and for a little analogue palate cleanse – cue up some big break action on the pool tables.
Address: Megaplex Dubai, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +971 4 220 3662
- Chaos Karts
Another experiment from the Al Quoz adventuretainment laboratory, Chaos Karts is – as close as makes no difference – Mario Kart in real life. Just with none of the messy IP battles. Chaos Karts allows you to race across virtual-themed trackscapes, collecting gems and hilariously inconveniencing your friends with precision-timed virtual power-up projectiles – then driving past them to secure victory and a temporarily ruined friendship. All the best parts of Mario Kart. And with no physical obstacles on the track and anti-collision technology, drivers won’t need to wear helmets or driving suits. Ticket prices start at around Dhs179 for a 20-minute session.
Address: 6A St, Al Quoz, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +971 4 324 2344
- Quiz Room
Modesty is a precious virtue. And if, like me, you’re a fan of the TV quiz show format, The Quiz Room located (almost too perfectly) in Al Quoz (Al Quiz?), might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Set to open at the end of August, teams of one-to-18 players (aged eight and up) will be able go head-to-head, and buzzer-to-buzzer in tests of trivia and musical knowledge. It’s been set up to simulate the quiz show experience, emphasising fun and the spirit of friendly competition. Not the spirit of flipping over the Trivial Pursuit board because “your questions were easier”. You know who you are.
Address: Goshi Warehouses City, Al Quoz, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +971 58 568 1260
- Swingers
This crazy golf-fuelled, above-par, exclusively adult leisure attraction will be opening on Bluewaters imminently. Originally from London – it’s golf for people aiming at the 19th hole and ‘clubbing’ for people who want to be in bed by 10. The Dubai version drops in with three bars, three nine-hole courses and like its British counterpart, will feature street food, cocktails, live DJs and almost certainly – some dubious score recording.
Address: Bluewaters, Bluewaters Island, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Adventure Island
Adventure has a new name in the UAE, or a new surname at least… Adventure Island at Bahar Plaza on the JBR has its phasers set to stun, offering a pair of attractions – Laser Island and Pixel. The former is a rootin’, tootin’, pew pew-shootin’ version of laser tag, set between neon paint and black light – and cast across an intersecting network of nooks and camping-friendly crannies. Inside groups of up to 24 can lock and load for a battle royale – running and gunning in just-for-fun free-for-alls or team-based firefights. Pixel plays out on a series of touch-sensitive LED-lit-blocks on the floor of an enclosed room, players must leap around in co-op and versus challenges, collecting points and avoiding the dreaded ‘floor is lava’ red blocks.
Address: Bahar Plaza, Al Gharbi St, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
Phone: +971 58 833 9204
- Arte Museum
For a more cultural outing this summer – Arte Museum comes from the world-renowned digital media design company d’strict. It’s perfect for the set that have had their attention span so ravaged by social media that they can now only enjoy art in perpetually evolving panoramic 4D. Their projected performances cover 13 immersive spaces allowing you to get up close and personal with moving images. In both senses of the word. Even the on-site tea house has its own blizzard of digital flora to pair with your cuppa.
Address: Dubai Mall, Level 2 Financial Center Rd, opposite Galeries Lafayette, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 570 7084
- Five Iron
There’s more indoor golfing action on the way, this time making a dogleg up the JBR and sailing towards the lush virtual fairways of The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Five Iron is an American indoor country club set to open in August. The more than 32,000 sq ft space will feature 17 future tech simulators, each fitted with a multi-angle camera system to make side-eyes at your swing. Six bays will be equipped with TruGolf Multisport technology capable of creating dynamic sporting scenarios. F&B highlights include four bars, an outdoor bunker-themed bar, and a VIP lounge. There’s more leisure pleasure from the nine-hole mini golf course, indoor putting green, work pods, table games, gym, and sauna.
Address: Beach Resort & Marina, The Westin, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 396 6867
- Boom Battle Bar
Technically not a new space, but this ode to bar-based gaming has just undergone a comprehensive makeover. Adding to the existing augmented axe throwing; nine-hole crazy golf course; shuffleboard; interactive, projection-enhanced darts; and beer (/prosecco) pong – there’s now a DJ booth and a private Boom Box karaoke. There’s a thick menu of pub grub tapas, and promotions throughout the week that help keep prices low and vibes high.
Address: DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai, Jumeirah Beach, The Walk, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 585 7357
- BattleKart
The UAE’s latest hub of augmented reality karting has just screeched through the chequered flag at DIP. BattleKart is another adherent to ‘the ministry of blue shell’. Shh, it’s a Mario Kart thing. Here duelling kartists can face off and sling virtual missiles at each other in four different game modes that involve: a classic destruction derby race; a version of Nokia’s classic Snake; tagging the floor with digital graffiti; or hoofing 30-yard screamers in a quick-fire round of rocket football.
Address: BattleKart, 74 Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 58 588 0116
- Loco Bear
This 70,000 sqf leisure colossus is self-described as an “indoor entertainment hub and theme park” in Al Quoz 2 has been created to enthral all ages. Loco Bear is rammed to the rafters with unique activities, including the unprecedented mess of whatever the Slime Universe is; a soft play zone; VR games; a ball pit with a splash of Squid Game energy; and challenging wall climbs. There are adrenalin-courting attractions too – Takeshi’s Jump and Leap of Faith. And there’s more… an 18,500 sqf interactive Trampoline Arena; Ninja Warrior and parkour challenges; a Wipeout Area; an indoor roll glider; two futuristic laser tag arenas; a six-lane first-of-it’s-kind in the UAE interactive bowling set up; shuffleboard; arm wrestling; air hockey; and pool. More than un poco loco.
Address: Al Quoz – Al Quoz Industrial Area 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 800 56262
- RollDXB
Like hair, roller skating was big in the 80s. And whilst its popularity dropped off dramatically in the subsequent decades – the last few years have seen a bit of a revival. And why not? It’s all incredibly good fun – racing around a rink to a tracklist of bangers, the thrill of evading mild concussion, learning new tricks, and cutting down commute times. And if you’re looking for somewhere to learn, or indeed practise this graceful art, RollDXB – with its retro vibe, disco ball and skilled instructors – wheely is the best place to do it.
Address: Shed 3 Marina Cubes Street, Dubai Maritime City, Port Rashid, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 238 6206
- Ground Control
Brand new at Nakheel Mall, Ground Control – found next to the shopping hub’s Vox Cinema – is more than the sum of its eight-lane bowling alley. There’s mini golf, darts, axe throwing, and a collection of retro video games.
Address: Nakheel Mall, 447Q+7C6 – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
- The Smash Room
If the very idea of meditation makes you want to flip tables, do we have the stress relief for you. The Smash Room is essentially rage yoga. Select your weapon and then enter a cage to theatrically dismantle assorted mundane objects. Nostalgia is spared no mercy with old TVs, glass bottles, washing machines, and printers all going, quite literally, under the hammer. Too agro to drive? They’ve recently launched The Smash-Mobile which will drive right to you, so you can hop in the back and get medieval on a bunch of miscellaneous bric-a-brac.
Address: Umm Suqeim St, 195 4, Al Quoz, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 339 7810
- Boo Boo Laand
Found in Dubai Mall this 25,000 sqm space is a shrine to wonder and whimsy with over 30 individual attractions spread across four different zones. The space is designed for young’uns of all ages – from babies to teens – and features a snow park, super slide, trampolines, football stadium, princess dress-up area, arts and crafts area, as well as live performances, interactive shows, and meet-and-greets with special characters.
Address: Dubai Mall, Shop 321, 1st Floor, Chinatown, Dubai Mall service road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 449 6806
- Rimbamelle
This high-end, aesthetic-forward indoor playground opened its doors in June and offers the exciting prospect of a soft play experience paired with a bar for the adults. Its jungle-inspired wonderland features stylishly designed slides, ball pits, and interactive games. The venue also runs fun juniour workshops on cooking, arts and crafts.
Address: The Wharf, Bluewaters Island, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 572 2296
