Dubai nights: a first-time clubber’s wild ride through the desert’s electronic playground

Dubai. The land of supercars, sky-high ambitions, and a level of luxury so absurd that even the toilets have mood lighting. But clubbing? Electronic music? Raving until dawn? That’s not what usually comes to mind when you think of this shimmering oasis in the desert. Or at least, it wasn’t. Because something is shifting, and I came to see it firsthand.

Armed with nothing but a suitcase full of outfits that screamed "I'm with the DJ" and a thirst for experiencing everything, I landed in the city of excess and immediately checked into FIVE LUXE, a hotel so decadent it makes the concept of "five-star" feel underdressed.

Let’s get one thing straight - FIVE LUXE is not just a hotel. It’s a lifestyle. A paradise on earth where infinity pools melt into ocean horizons, breakfast comes with a side of Dom Pérignon, and somewhere between the third and fourth cocktails, I had to ask myself “so, am I moving here then or what?” It was clear that this place was engineered for those who never, ever want the party to stop.

I could write an entire love letter to the suite alone. Picture floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the Dubai skyline like a flexing influencer, a bathtub deep enough to host a small yacht, and a bed so comfortable it nearly convinced me to cancel my club plans. Nearly.

But Dubai’s electronic music scene was calling, and I wasn’t about to let it go to voicemail.

My first stop was Playa Pacha for the Pacha ICONS series where Blond:ish was set to deliver one of her signature high energy house sets. For those unfamiliar, Playa Pacha is like Ibiza and Tulum had a lovechild and raised it on champagne and deep house. It’s a beach club, but also a nightclub, located in the FIVE LUXE swimming pool area, set against one of the most spectacular LED screens I’ve ever seen!

Back to the music, Pacha’s newest resident was firing house bangers from a packed DJ booth - and a heaving VIP area - directly onto the dance floor. James Burton’s Breakfast Club (Dennis Ferrer Morning Mix), the sweet Samba sounds of Baianaa and a new take on Moby’s Natural Blues were a few of the highlight moments.

Blond:ish did what she does best, serving up hypnotic beats and atmospheric high octane moments and it was enough to make me forget where I was for a moment. But then Dubai comes and hits you with that sensory overload thing it’s famous for; sparkler parades for expensive bottles of tequila, the most eclectic mix of people I’ve ever seen in a club and a simply breathtaking location.

I danced, I drank and I made questionable life choices on a dance floor full of equally euphoric strangers. Then whilst I wasn’t ready to call it a night, a friend whispered in my ear and I knew it was time to recharge batteries. His words “Tomorrow. Bohemia. Chris Stussy.”

Bohemia is a name that’s been making waves in Dubai’s underground scene - if you can call anything “underground” when it involves sunset views, high fashion, and a crowd that looks like they stepped out of a Balenciaga campaign. Bohemia, is located adjacent to the original FIVE Hotel, the FIVE Palm Jumeirah, which is full of character and feels like a futuristic superyacht crashed onto Dubai’s most exclusive beach and decided to stay forever, gleaming glass towers, sleek white balconies, and a pool that stretches out like a catwalk for the effortlessly glamorous.

Chris Stussy, the Dutch house maestro himself, was headlining. If Blond:ish brought the ethereal vibes, Stussy brought the groove, with his unmistakable and trademark sound that is almost a genre in its own right. Amongst better known tracks of his like Desire and Won’t Stop (Don’t), there were at least ten or fifteen new or unreleased gems as has become the standard at his events.

Bohemia itself is the kind of place where you can sip a perfectly crafted cocktail while simultaneously losing your mind to a bassline so infectious it should come with a warning label. The crowd? Equal parts jet-setters, UK ex-pats, music lovers, and the occasional person who accidentally wandered in and had their life changed forever. Safe to say, regarding the latter, I’m definitely one of them when it comes to my opinion on Dubai. I know for sure I will be going back to this place again soon.

For years, true electronic music culture in Dubai was like a mirage - whispered about but rarely seen in full force. It was a city known for opulence, not for after-hours debauchery; for yacht parties, not for all-night raves. But now? Now, it’s a contender.

With venues like Playa Pacha, Bohemia Beach Club, and The Penthouse Dubai among others around the city, Dubai isn’t just dipping its toes into electronic music - it’s diving in headfirst, designer sunglasses still on. The city’s clubbing scene is no longer just for the rich and famous; it’s carving out an identity that fuses its love for the luxury touch with a genuine passion for the music.

And sure, the VIP sections are still big enough to have their own zip codes, but it's the juxtaposition of this with the dance floor masses that reminds me of how other dance floors have worked successfully around the globe.

Let’s not kid ourselves - Dubai isn’t Berlin. It isn’t Ibiza. It isn’t London.

But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t want to be.

Dubai is crafting its own electronic music identity - one that blends luxury with sound, excess with experience. It’s a place where you can go from sipping cocktails in a penthouse to raving on a beach in the same night. Where the crowd is as international as the DJs spinning, and where the party scene is still young enough to feel like it’s got something to prove.

And after my whirlwind weekend of beats, bass, and bottle service? I’d say it’s proving itself just fine.

So, if you’re still thinking of Dubai as just a playground for influencers and oil billionaires, think again. The city’s dance floors are open, the sound systems are primed, and the only question left is….are you coming?

Upcoming events at Pacha ICONS are Black Coffee (3rd April), CamelPhat (11th April), Mochakk (25th April) and Rampa (3rd May)