Kiara Bar Review: A confident and classy night out 

Kaspia’s sister venue oozes timeless glamour. 

It’s easy to feel old when you go out in Dubai. When you’re at a bar (or even restaurant), the “entertainment”, from dancers to DJs, can feel more chaotic than curated. It’s hard to visit the talk of the town, if you can’t even talk. What sets the new nightlife venue, Kiara, apart is that it boasts a timeless glamour – and it lets the design, dishes and drinks do the talking. 

Kiara’s name has Arabic as well as Italian roots. In Arabic, it means sweet, pure and peaceful, and in Italian, it means bright. The concept aims to combine cultures, and become a social hub for togetherness.

Kiara is located in Gate Village Building 2 in DIFC. The bar is hidden above the fine dining restaurant, Kaspia Dubai. The venue has a universal appeal and wouldn’t look out of place in any international city. The recently renovated space is bold and beautiful with shimmering chandeliers, soft velvet sofas, patterned carpets and golden touches. The sultry spot includes dim lighting, red hot sofas and cosy corners. 

Kiara in Dubai’s menu comes in a leather-bound book. The drinks span signature cocktails and classic cocktails. While the layout of the menu is confusing, it includes creative concoctions. Plus, the bartenders are knowledgeable and skilled at creating drinks to suit our taste. 

The signature cocktails are a take on classics, from the Ballerina, which is like a Margarita, to the Kiara Tini, which is like a Gin Martini. Tsar’s the Word is a gin-based drink with a strong, smoky finish. Rhubarb Rouge is a rum-based drink with a soft sweetness that transports you to the beach. And the Old Fashioned cocktail was so good that we ordered it again. And again. 

Kiara in Dubai’s food menu includes hot and cold bites, dessert, and, of course, caviar. Even though the bites are small, they’re sophisticated. The menu is filled with high-quality, premium ingredients, and it is superb for sharing. 

The Lobster Gyoza draws inspiration from the chef’s family’s cooking, and comes with spring onion and ginger. The K Wagyu Striploin is made with Australian beef, and served in small cuts with chimichurri sauce. Plus, the Foie Gras sliders come with truffle mayonnaise, naturally.  

If you want to impress someone, take them to Kiara in Dubai. On our visit, the crowd was classy, and the service was polite and professional. We were lured in by the quiet confidence to proceedings, and the sumptuous setting. And, as the night went on, the resident DJ complemented rather than clashed with the vibe. 

With so many trend-driven bars in the city, Kiara focuses on what matters – sips, service and storytelling – and that doesn’t go out of style. At Kiara in Dubai: there’s plenty to shout about. 

GO: Follow @kiara.dubai on Instagram for more information.