• White Dubai has been transformed into a high-end restaurant and lounge with panoramic views of the Dubai skyline. All pictures courtesy Addmind Group
    White Dubai has been transformed into a high-end restaurant and lounge with panoramic views of the Dubai skyline. All pictures courtesy Addmind Group
  • Nightly shows range from cabaret and acrobatics to fire-twirling feats.
    Nightly shows range from cabaret and acrobatics to fire-twirling feats.
  • One of the acts sings Justin Timberlake's song 'Cry Me a River' while under a stream of water.
    One of the acts sings Justin Timberlake's song 'Cry Me a River' while under a stream of water.
  • Some shows feature masked backing dancers who perform with social-distancing measures in place.
    Some shows feature masked backing dancers who perform with social-distancing measures in place.
  • Musical performances feature renditions of Nancy Sinatra's 'Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)' and Alicia Keys's 'New York'
    Musical performances feature renditions of Nancy Sinatra's 'Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)' and Alicia Keys's 'New York'
  • A fiery performance by White Dubai's in-house team of UAE talents.
    A fiery performance by White Dubai's in-house team of UAE talents.
  • White Dubai's dinner show features acrobatic performances.
    White Dubai's dinner show features acrobatic performances.
  • White Dubai's menu features starters such as tuna, beef and yellow tail carpaccios.
    White Dubai's menu features starters such as tuna, beef and yellow tail carpaccios.
  • White Dubai's menu consists of dishes such as grilled salmon (pictured) risotto, Spanish Carabineros jumbo shrimp and tomahawk steak.
    White Dubai's menu consists of dishes such as grilled salmon (pictured) risotto, Spanish Carabineros jumbo shrimp and tomahawk steak.

From club to Dh2,000 caviar: how nightspot White Dubai became a fine-dining lounge


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Caviar and cabaret are not necessarily the first words that come to mind when describing one of the region’s biggest nightclubs.

But the transformation of White Dubai into a lavish sit-down restaurant and lounge illustrates how the pandemic has upended Dubai’s once thriving club scene.

With the Meydan nightspot renowned as a leader in terms of size and international stature (it is presently ranked No 15 in DJ Mag's Top 100 clubs), clubbers feared social distancing and safety measures would shut White Dubai's doors for the foreseeable future.

Elie Saba, managing partner of Addmind Group, the company running White Dubai. Courtesy White Dubai
Elie Saba, managing partner of Addmind Group, the company running White Dubai. Courtesy White Dubai

However, that was never an option according to Elie Saba, managing partner of Addmind Group, the company running White Dubai.

“We knew we had to change things, because there is not going to be clubbing like we knew it for a while,” says the Lebanese industry veteran. “But, at the same time, we have a big list of clients who we view as family and who look to us when it comes to having a good time. We wanted to continue giving that White experience, but in a way that is safe and entertaining.”

Back to where it all began

The way forward, it seems, was not so much a remix as a case of retreading old ground.

When The National visited White Dubai this month, the club was virtually unrecognisable. Formerly home to a heaving mass of 2,000 hedonistic revellers, it is now a sophisticated dinner spot for 800 people with panoramic views of the Dubai skyline.

Dozens of psychedelic LED screens have been replaced by serene greenery. The packed stools, tables and couches that ringed the club are also gone. In their place are spaciously spread dining tables that seat between two to eight people. Each holds bottles of water, hand sanitiser and a QR code to access a menu of fine-dining dishes.

White Dubai’s once-commanding signature horse-shaped bar has also been significantly reduced in size, while resident DJs still spin tracks from their elevated corner booth. Only this time, the hip-hop tunes played are not bangers but dining-friendly soothers.

Tracks such as If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) by Nas and Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill are dropped not so much for their anthemic quality, but for the throbbing bass lines that allow you to nod your head along without dropping your burrata or truffle sauce on the smart threads the door policy demands.

“It’s different right?” Saba says. “But this is actually how we began. When White first started in Beirut in 2006, it was a lounge like this before it grew to become an international club. Seeing this place brings back warm memories for me and some of my team.”

Goodbye hot dogs, hello caviar

Due to the new culinary direction, White Dubai’s menu also underwent some radical changes.

The party-friendly bite-sized pizzas, sliders and spicy Salma Hayek hot dogs were jettisoned in favour of Beluga caviar (which starts at Dh2,050 per serve). Starters include tuna, beef and yellow tail carpaccios, while mains include porcini truffle risotto and tomahawk steaks. Desserts are equally decadent, with options including chocolate fondant and nougat and pistachio.

White Dubai's menu features starters such as carpaccios. Addmind Group
White Dubai's menu features starters such as carpaccios. Addmind Group

Yet the move to upscale dining is not that much of a leap, says Saba.

With Addmind Group's international portfolio of restaurants including Italian restaurant Matto’s in Dubai, Beirut’s Asian-fusion venue Clap and London's Argentinian restaurant Sucre, delivering top-notch food from White's in-house kitchen is a smooth operation.

“What the food does is bring us a more diverse crowd,” Saba says. “What we are getting now is a new audience of older customers, those in their 40s for example, who just want to have good food in a chilled place. These people would previously not even think about going clubbing at White Dubai.”

A fiery show

While the club was known for flying out the biggest hip-hop and RnB stars, such as Usher, Akon and Rita Ora, White Dubai’s V-shaped stage now hosts a series of cabaret and acrobatic sets by its in-house of team of UAE talent.

Five nightly performances, which run for up to 10 minutes each, take place between 9pm and midnight, after which DJs take over until closing time at 3am.

During The National's visit on Saturday, November 21, we were treated to a singer delivering a smouldering version of Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down), supported by a pair of masked and socially distanced backing dancers.

There is also a fire-twirling performance, an acrobat swinging on ropes, and a soulful live piano rendering of Alicia Key's Empire State of Mind. The culminating set features a female singer in a flowing green dress singing Justin Timberlake's Cry Me a River while drenched in fake rain.

White Dubai will return with a vengeance

However, running a slimmed-down White Dubai doesn’t mean half the work for its 150 staff.

“Running a lounge or restaurant is so much harder than a nightclub,” Saba says. “With a nightclub, you can pay for the artists, the lights and effects, and people will have a great time. A club is about creating an energy but a lounge and restaurant is about creating a vibe. Everything from the design and the seating to the food and shows has to work in a smooth and sequential order. None of us can afford to not pay attention.”

White Dubai is ranked in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs. Courtesy of White Dubai
White Dubai is ranked in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Clubs. Courtesy of White Dubai

Fortunately, the reduced budget means a larger war chest to draw from when White Dubai returns to nightclub mode.

Saba confirms the LED screens, the smoke cannons, cutting-edge light shows and superstar artists will all be back, when its safe to do so.

It will be expensive, Saba says, but that’s the price to pay for being one of the hottest clubs in the world.

“We will be back with high production and we will spend the money,” he says, with a soft laugh. “We are now number 15 in the world when it comes to the best clubs. Once we are back, we are aiming for number one and we won’t stop until that happens. Until then, let’s all be safe and eat well.”

Brief scores:

Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37

South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62

Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Ponti

Sharlene Teo, Pan Macmillan

THE SPECS

BMW X7 xDrive 50i

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission

Power: 462hp

Torque: 650Nm

Price: Dh600,000

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Fixtures:

Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final

Table:

1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10

2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8

3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6

4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4

5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Profile of Bitex UAE

Date of launch: November 2018

Founder: Monark Modi

Based: Business Bay, Dubai

Sector: Financial services

Size: Eight employees

Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings

Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
​​​​​​​Princeton

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs

Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic

Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km

Price: Dh235,000

Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m

Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
  • 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
  • 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
  • 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

How much of your income do you need to save?

The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.

In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)

Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.

 

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

SERIES INFO

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Test series

1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

Play starts at 9.30am

T20 series

1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March

TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube

Profile Idealz

Company: Idealz

Founded: January 2018

Based: Dubai

Sector: E-commerce

Size: (employees): 22

Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group B

Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight

SERIES INFO

Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
 
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal

Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff

 1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

EXPATS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lulu%20Wang%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicole%20Kidman%2C%20Sarayu%20Blue%2C%20Ji-young%20Yoo%2C%20Brian%20Tee%2C%20Jack%20Huston%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A