Grapeskin Ladies Night

For the first time, Jumeirah has a bar it feels like you can wander into from the street. It’s part of La Ville Hotel & Suites but is accessible from the main roads of City Walk – though it’s slightly screened from view.

It gives the place a casual charm that’s so often missing from venues in the city. Space itself has that industrial, pared-back hipster vibe. All the furniture is made from wood and metal and exposed filament lights hang from the ceiling.

None of it comes off as predictable or pretentious, though. It feels warm and cosy – the sort of place you’d frequent around holiday season – while outside there’s a wrap-around terrace with plush lounge sofas to sink into beneath the fairy lights of City Walk and beside the bustling, lush courtyard of the hotel.

The atmosphere is laid-back, and on our visit, there’s a live singer, though the music would be all the more enjoyable with a slightly more chilled-out track list.

The drinks menu is divided by “feelings”, so you choose your mood (happy, relaxed, stressed, under-the-weather) before choosing the grape variety. And the staff are happy to help with recommendations without being intrusive.