Dubai: Craft cocktails at Cocktail Kitchen (CLOSED)

Cocktail Kitchen is permanently closed

After our dinner at Mythos we proceeded to Cocktail Kitchen, which is just around the corner, in the same building as Mythos. It doesn’t look like anything from the outside, so if it weren’t because Drina from Eaternal Zest had recommended it very warmly on an earlier occasion, we probably wouldn’t have ended up there. I’m very happy that we did, because I’ve really missed a place like Cocktail Kitchen in Dubai.

The crafted cocktails tasted like a million, but were only 55-65AED and came with front row seats to all the mixology action including tiny bottles, which looked like they belonged in a lab, and bartenders, who didn’t take themselves too serious, but seemed to love what they were doing.

We were 5 girls out, and all together, I think we made it through half of the cocktail menu that night. All the cocktails I tasted were well-mixed and very tasty, but I wish they would consider including an outline of the sizes of the drinks, as some of them were served in tiny, gone-in-60-seconds glasses, while others were the size of a holy grail, making it difficult to time the ordering of rounds.

I first had the sweet and fruity Pastis Project, followed by the Shrub a Dub Bub, which tasted like a liquid box of chocolates. The last one I had was the porcini infused Manifesto Bellissimo, and if you wonder, whether porcini infused bourbon might be a good idea, I can now tell you that it definitely is.

Cocktail Kitchen might be the closest you get to a speakeasy in Dubai. Located at the parking floor inside Armada Bluebay Hotel, Cocktail Kitchen is only frequented by those in the know.
The vibe at Cocktail Kitchen is European with a laid-back, yet stylish crowd of predominantly 30-somethings. The bar takes center stage in the dimly lit room, and there are plenty of bar stools available along the counter.

The cocktails are made by skilled and friendly bartenders and the menu covers most of the cocktail styles you could possibly think of. Prices are easy on the wallet, but be aware that some of the cocktails are served in small glasses.

You enter Cocktail Kitchen via the Armada Bluebay Hotel reception and take the elevator down to B1. Cocktail Kitchen is at the same level as Mythos and NOLA. Signs along the way will lead you in the right directions, and on weekends, there are usually staff members down there to guide you. You can’t enter from the promenade/JLT lake side.

What to order? If you like sweet drinks, you’ll love the Pastis Project with fresh berry jam, gin and pastis, or the Shrub-a-Dub-Dub with Vermouth, Manzanilla sherry, Maraschino and egg white. If you want a large and strong drink, go for the Stop Wine-ing with sparkling wine, cucumber and Lacuesta Blanco.

What to wear? I don’t think there’s a dress code at Cocktail Kitchen, but I think I would wear a skirt or a dress on Fridays an dressy pants and heels during the week.

• Most of the cocktails are in the 55-60AED range, which is cheap for Dubai.

• Happy hour is 5:30 PM-8 PM every day.

• Cocktail Kitchen also serves food. I haven’t eaten there yet, but it’s supposed to be good.