The Time Out Dubai Podcast

When was your last big night out? Dubai is fill of them, riddled with them you might say, and among swathes of fantastic bars and clubs you’re bound to find one that tickles your fancy. And the chances are that the guests on this week’s episode of The Big Listen have either hosted you, or played music for you. We’ve got Sara Stosic from the brains behind two of the city’s biggest night clubs Drai’s and WHITE Dubai (Add-Mind), as well as Adam Graca, Dubai’s best DJ (officially, according to the Time Out Dubai Music & Nightlife Awards 2019). Sara and Adam join Tim Skinner, Head of Video Content, and Reema Rahman, Nightlife & Communities Manager, to chat everything about the Dubai nightlife scene. How has it grown over the last five or ten years, what makes a top night out and how is Dubai now being viewed among the world’s elite clubbing destinations. If you’re looking towards your next big night out, give this a listen.

It seems like veganism has absolutely exploded in Dubai in the last 12 to 18 months. And it has, with restaurants now providing more options than ever to anyone in the city living on a plant-based diet. And to discuss the growth of veganism in Dubai, we've got in two special guests from some of the city's best-known vegan restaurants and communities to go through it all. So whether you're after the best restaurants to eat vegan, or the best supermarkets where you can pick up some produce, or if you're looking for vegan shoes (really) - you'll find it in today's episode of The Big Listen. We'll go over dining out, eating in, shopping, the vegan lifestyle, philosophies, vegan life hacks, meat substitutes and a whole bunch more, so listen up for the top tips. (And, yes, that is a vegan pizza in the thumbnail.)

Having had one of their most successful performances in the AFC Asian Cup in recent decades, with Al Ain making it to the final of the Club World Cup against Real Madrid, and with the national-level game in the UAE gaining more commercial interest than ever, is this a golden era for football in the country? In this episode of The Big Listen, we chat about the national and domestic level of football in the UAE after recent times of unprecedented success, and bring in Chris Brown from It’s Just Football to join resident footy fans Tim Skinner (Head of Video Content) and Dean Wilkins (Editor, Time Out DXB). The three talk about the international success of the UAE after hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and how it can translate a semi-final appearance to a tournament-winning team in years to come. They also chat about youth football in the UAE, coaching at grass-roots level and how Dubai residents can, firstly, go to watch the big Dubai teams in the UAE Pro League and, secondly, how to go about getting involved with football at an amateur level.

Brunch is one of Dubai’s most famous institutions. Every weekend, thousands of residents flock to the city’s restaurants to make the most of package deals that are not just economical (depending on where you go), but often dish up way more than just food. Whether it’s coastal vibes, live music, karaoke or inflatable sumo wrestling, nowadays brunch is an all-encompassing tradition that is available practically every day, coming in all shapes and sizes. But how does one of the city’s biggest brunches come together every single week? What goes on behind the scenes to make it a show-stopping foodie favourite? We sat down with Monica Metzger, who’s the F&B Director for two of the major hotels in Dubai Marina – The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, as well as Le Méridien Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. In this episode of The Big Listen, we go behind the scenes at brunch, and find out what goes into these absolute spectacles. You can listen to the whole episode on iTunes, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud now, and check out the rest of the series so far, where we cover topics from rent to comedy in the UAE and even the city’s theatre scene.

If you've ever had a passing interest in theatre, musicals, operas or the arts in general, you've probably paid a visit to Dubai Opera during your time in the emirate. If you've not, then you most certainly should. Having been the home to dozens of musicals, operas, theatrical performances, rock gigs, concerts, orchestral ensembles and more in the two-and-a-half-years since its 2016 opening, Dubai Opera came from nowhere to establish itself as the city's premier destination for fans of the arts. Jasper Hope is the Opera's Chief Executive, and having spent seven years as the Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall in London, we spoke to the man himself about taking on the role of launching Dubai Opera, and how he and his team go about bringing world-class productions to Dubai, like Phantom of the Opera, coming to Dubai later this year. We hear how a massive production comes together, how it's found, booked and what we can hope to see on the Opera's stage later this year.

With celebrity comedians appearing in Dubai with increasing regularity (recent months have seen Dave Chappelle perform, with Michael McIntyre on the way in April), and long-established comedy clubs continuing to appeal to international comics, where does comedy currently stand in Dubai? What does comedy mean in one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world? How does comedy build cultural understanding, and how do vastly different cultures learn more about each other through it? This episode of The Big Listen looks to understand just that, and has got two ideally positioned guests in for the chat. Ali Al Sayed is an Emirati stand-up comedian, who also runs Dubomedy, a stand-up comedy training school which has placed successful comics into TV programmes and comedy clubs around the world. Ali is joined by Gail Clough, co-founder of The Laughter Factory, a comedy club which has been bringing some of the top names in international comedy to the UAE for the last 22 years. Please remember to subscribe for every episode of The Big Listen, and leave us a review to let other people know that this show is worth listening to.

Dubai is known for its magnificent restaurants, and it's no surprise that an increasing number of high-profile chefs are making their way over to the emirate, setting up some magnificent new restaurants in the process. From Gordon Ramsay, to Simon Rimmer, David Myers, Guy Fieri, Alain Ducasse and Massimo Bottura (the man behind the world's number one restaurant in 2018, Osteria Francescana), the city is full of big name chefs and their equally well-known restaurants. One of those is the UK's Jason Atherton, who runs Michelin-starred restaurant Pollen Street Social in London and Marina Social right here in Dubai. Alongside Jason, Simon Ritchie, Editor of Caterer Middle East, Amy Mathieson and Scott Campbell from Time Out Dubai chat about why top-name chefs are coming to Dubai, Michelin stars (especially for Emirati restaurants), veganism and what it means to be a "celebrity chef". Stay tuned for more episodes of The Big Listen coming soon, covering subjects like veganism, football in the UAE, space exploration, theatre and more. Check us out every fortnight, with episodes available on YouTube, Soundcloud, iTunes, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your pods.

If you're looking to rent in Dubai, there's never been a better time. For anyone trying to find an apartment, or a villa, prices in the city have never been more in favour of tenants, and there are some bargains to be had. For buyers, the situation is similar, and this episode of The Big Listen is dedicated to discussing how you can find your dream apartment or villa for less. We've got Property Finder and Savills, two of the city's top property authorities, in to the Time Out Dubai studio to discuss one of the biggest topics in the market today. Stay tuned for more episodes of The Big Listen coming soon, covering subjects like prices, the most affordable neighbourhoods, the most popular neighbourhoods, and the best emerging neighbourhoods too. Check us out every fortnight, with episodes available on YouTube, Soundcloud, iTunes, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your pods.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got news of the UAE's biggest cinema screen (and it's awesome), a curry night to try, and a ladies' night with cheese! Plus, there's a brand-new podcast coming to you from Time Out Dubai...

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got a brand-new happy hour to try on the Palm, the first round of ladies' singles tennis at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, a "craicing "ladies' night and more. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got all the info on the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the new theatrical and acrobatic spectacular in town, and a whole bunch more. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has the details on day two of RedFestDXB 2019, an afterparty at a huge open-air club and a classy show being put on at Dubai Opera. Have a great weekend, see you on Sunday.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got word on all the gigs and afterparties from RedFestDXB, a live show from a US superstar over the other side of town, plus a Valentine's Day offer where you can get yourself shipped to a loved one... Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This invites you to enjoy some FREE pancakes, or train like an Olympic legend at a new performance gym in Dubai, or even head to a swanky rooftop ladies' night. How about that? Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got a huge sale on Emirates to make the most of, as well as a new live acrobatics show on Bluewaters, plus a massive ladies' night to try at one of the city's top clubs. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got 1,000 piranhas arriving at The Green Planet, a jazz night with free drinks at La Mer, plus a massive clothes sale to head to, as well. Have a great day, we'll see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's Now Hear This has got a cracking deal at a restaurant in Souk Al Bahar, some smashing ways to vent your anger this Valentine's Day, plus a petting zoo in a mall... Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your weekend in five minutes. This weekend's episode of Now Hear This has got an Alice In Wonderland-themed party at one of the city's top beach clubs, special Pizza Day pides, top places to catch the Six Nations, and loads more. Have a great weekend, see you on Sunday.

Your day in five minutes. Today's week-ending edition of Now Hear This has got info on a top UK singer song-writer in town tonight at Dubai Opera, as well as a ladies' night to try in Downtown Dubai as well as some more Chinese New Year celebrations to try tonight. Have a great day, we'll be back tomorrow with your weekend round-up.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has a got a curry night to try, a new ladies' night to check out and an exhibition in Alserkal Avenue where you can learn how to use your camera like a pro. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got an award-winning ladies' night to try on the Palm, a lunch deal at Dubai's best French restaurant, and how you can rent a luxury car by the minute. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This features Chinese New Year celebrations, plus a Dhs99 tapas deal at Al Hambra at Jumeirah Al Qasr. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got some 50 percent savings on one of the top places for an evening at Souk Al Bahar, some Chinese New Year celebrations, and a spa deal for two in Dubai. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your weekend in five minutes. This weekend's episode of Now Hear This has news of the return of the Six Nations and where you can watch the rugby. There are two brunches to check out this weekend, including a special birthday edition of one of the city's top party brunches. And finally there's a murder mystery party to check out in JBR on Saturday. Have a great weekend, see you on Sunday.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This gets you ready for the weekend with a hops festival taking place at Dubai Creek, a live music and pizza night brunch taking place in Business Bay, plus some early Chinese New Year celebrations. Have a great day, we'll see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This is all about the Time Out Dubai Big, Fat Quiz of the Year, which is taking place tonight at garden on 8 at the Media One Hotel. You can win Dhs3,000 in cash, as well as a bunch of awesome Dubai experiences, like tickets to Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, Dubai Opera tickets, staycations and more. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This invites you to an Italian-themed feast for dinner, an unlimited ladies' night until 4am, and a bit of live music at one of the city's top venues. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got an Atlantis the Palm ladies' night to try, an all-night happy hour, something Belgian to take your fancy, and an awesome sundowners deal. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's edition of Now Hear This invites you to an outdoor cinema screening, an unlimited sparkling ladies' night and some al fresco beats at our 2018 Best New Nightlife Venue, Soho Garden. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your weekend in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This invites you to a big EDM day-to-night bash at Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE. Elsewhere there are Burns Night celebrations at the QE2, plus the Al Quoz Arts festival and the robot you can go and chat to in Dubai. Have a great weekend, see you on Sunday

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode has the start of this year's Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and it's significantly cheaper to head along for the 30th edition. There's also some news on Dubai Shopping Festival, and international DJs heading to Dubai for a big night at BASE. Have a great day, we'll see you tomorrow for the weekend pod.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode welcomes you to a London-themed happy hour with heavily discounted drinks in JLT, an open mic night in Business Bay, and a new ferry trip from Dubai Marina to the Dubai Mall. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This reveals five things to do today in Dubai, including the opening of Dubai Opera's new restaurant and a new bus route that will help you to explore the city. Have a great day, we'll see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This, invites you to check out some new bars, an al fresco cinema screening of Baby Driver, a new vegan menu and a late-night club serving up free drinks. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This offers up a film festival north of Dubai, a marvellous deal at Nikki Beach and a free new laser light show in town. Have a great day, we'll see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. This weekend's episode of Now Hear This sees the return of 50 Cent to Dubai, a zoo-themed day-to-night pool party, a new menu at McDonald's and the cutest workout in town... Have a great weekend, see you on Sunday.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This offers up five things to do across the city, including an unlimited pizza and sparkling deal, as well as a way to finish off the week with a bang. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This invites you to dinner at a restaurant hosted by a robot, the latest round of matches at the AFC Cup and a ladies' night on the Palm Jumeirah. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This invites ladies' to a brand-new night with free drinks until 4am, a curry night in Dubai Marina, and a brand-new robata restaurant to try. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's wallet-saving edition of Now Hear This gives you five free things to do in Dubai today, from Barasti's free pool, to free drinks and jazz, and a free two-week fitness trial at gyms across the city. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This gives you five great things to do across the city, including everything from movies at the cinema to pizza deals that you'll definitely want to grab a slice of. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This invites you to the next round of fixtures in the AFC Cup, a R&B star coming to Drai's Dubai, and some furry goings-on at The Green Planet. Have a great weekend, see you on Sunday.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This is ringing in the weekend with a street festival in JBR, a new coffee shop inspired by the TV show Friends and a new pool day at a 100 metre-long infinity pool. Have a great day, we'll see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This has got a magnificent ladies' day at one of the city's swankiest beach clubs, a funky night brunch in Business Bay and a brand-new branch of one of Dubai's most popular burger joints. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This brings you the top things to do across Dubai including ladies' nights and the Asian Cup. There are also top discounts to be had at the Dubai Shopping Festival, plus a brilliant deal for meat-lovers. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This invites you to an all-night happy hour, an all-day ladies' day, and an all-new Indian restaurant on Sheikh Zayed Road. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Happy New Year! Today's episode of Now Hear This features five great things to do today and four the next four days after that, taking you right through the first week of January 2019. Start the year off with a brunch today, and then head for Meydan Racecourse for the first domestic horse race – or alternatively, explore the UAE's heritage by heading to a camel race. Have a great day, see you on Monday January 7.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This is all about Dubai's spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations. From the Burj Khalifa's new fireworks and laser show, to Atlantis The Palm's brilliant gala dinner, to an appearance from Fatman Scoop at Barasti, here's everywhere you need to party tonight. Happy New Year, we'll see you again tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This features five great things to do today and during the next four days, right up until Monday December 31. We kick things off with the Dubai Shopping Festival, then on to some brilliant dinner deals and a gig at Gotha that you don't want to miss. Have a great day, see you on New Year's Eve.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This features five great things to do on Christmas Day, including a very romantic brunch, a cinema screening and a traditional festive dinner at The Irish Village. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.

Your day in five minutes. Today's episode of Now Hear This features five great things to do on Christmas Day, including a very romantic brunch, a cinema screening and a traditional festive dinner at The Irish Village. Have a great day, see you tomorrow.