7 Tales — Restaurant in Dubai

7 Tales, Dubai Marina

Only a small neon sign will let on what is located behind the anonymous door - but once inside, you will find yourself walking around, finding new Insta-worthy angles, all the while you’re sipping on absolute masterful cocktails. A visit is a must, even in its own right, but a visit to the downstairs restaurant may as well be planned. Expect greatness throughout.

🎷 8/8: Bold and intimate with a clear nod to the Japanese underground cocktail scene - this venue is setting a new standard for speakeasies in Dubai. Someone (LW design group) has had great fun designing this masterpiece; striking graffiti murals, timeless neon signs and jazzy furniture - and a Negroni board game! 🥃 8/8: The complexity and depth of flavor in their signature cocktails are reaching levels few others can compete with - and the presentation is an august testament to functional minimalism. 👨‍🔬 7/8: With Alexander Makarov running the show behind the bar (refreshing background, with a stint in Saudi before coming to 7 Tales), and Orri Pall (with an equally interesting background) as the mastermind behind the scenes - this team is steaming ahead on their way to perfection. 🧊 6/8: Big, clear ice cubes - but so far the omnipotent ice stamp is nowhere to be found. Provisions for the showcase ice block are already in place - so with time, this will be a full score as well.

Hidden on the upper floor of City Social, 7 Tales is a genius’ master stroke by Jason Atherton and his team. The venue, excellently designed, is intimate yet captivating, and the cocktails are following the same example - precise yet beguiling, and very moorish. This is the literal version of a cocktail bar, where the food on order is condensed to four versions of Otsumami, and all the power of the team goes into the cocktails instead. And what an absolute coup de maître - perfection in a glass. The aficionados will find great joy in the separate Negroni menu, while the signature cocktails all cater for different pallets and tastes.

Cocktail:...

My evening at 7 Tales was nothing short of magical. Tucked away on the 44th floor above City Social, this hidden speakeasy exudes intrigue from the moment you step through what appears to be a dead-end painting—only to burst into a vibrant and intimate bar lit by neon lights and adorned with striking murals.  

The cocktails here are crafted with precision and flair. The signature creations—like the Hibiki-based Dragonfly Cutter, elegantly balanced with spiced maple syrup and shiso leaf, or the smoky, fiery One-eyed Dragon served in a sake carafe—truly spotlight the premium spirits without overpowering them.   On top of that, the “roll-the-dice” twist for choosing malt drinks adds a playful, memorable touch. 

The atmosphere is a perfect blend of cool sophistication and relaxed allure. As hip-hop pulses from the DJ, the space fills with energy—but remains intimate, cozy, and effortlessly stylish. Many guests rave about the vibe; one reviewer called it “one of the best speakeasies in Dubai” with “incredible views” and “innovative mixed drinks.” 

Service here is exceptional—warm, professional, and genuinely enthusiastic. Reviewers repeatedly highlight standout team members: Jommel, who served with incredible hospitality; Niels, who delivered flawless cocktails with a smile; and Danny, praised for his friendly demeanor and top-notch...

I came here after a friend of mine touted their negroni at me for so long. I should’ve listened sooner. They have a selection of different variants of negroni cocktails to be prepared, each of them share the negroni discipline, they’re just siblings with different lifestyles, each of them extremely well prepared and served. The atmosphere is a quaint corner at the top of a 40+ storey building, it felt nice and comfy, there wasn’t any form of noises, just ambient music that gives you permission to converse with others, if you so choose. Would recommend, coming back again soon.

(p.s., the photos don’t do the menu art...