Dubai Funwith theMX-Academy

Dubai fun indoors: cinema nights and an ice lounge

A cinema night is one of the easiest plans for a group, and the large malls have multiplexes with formats you may not find at home. The VOX Cinemas complex at Mall of the Emirates, for example, has 24 screens, including an IMAX with Laser auditorium, a 4DX auditorium with motion seats and effects such as wind and water, a luxury cinema concept and VOX Kids cinemas for younger viewers.

Book your seats in advance if you want the whole group to sit together, and choose the format before you choose the film. A light jacket is a good idea too, because a cool, air-conditioned auditorium can feel chilly after a day outside.

For something colder than any cinema, Chillout Ice Lounge on the ground floor of Times Square Center on Sheikh Zayed Road has been in operation since 2007, and the mall describes it as the first ice lounge in the Middle East. It is kept below freezing all year, and everything inside, from the walls and seats to the bar, is carved from ice. Thermal parkas, gloves and boots are provided, and soups, sandwiches and hot chocolate help you stay warm.

Karaoke: fun in Dubai with friends

Karaoke is a simple way to turn dinner into a proper night out. Several bars and restaurants in Dubai hold karaoke evenings, and some have private rooms that you book for your group, so you can sing as badly as you like without strangers listening. Ask how many people a room holds and whether food and drinks are included before you reserve.

If some of your group would rather listen than sing, pick a place where karaoke is only part of the evening, with food and room to talk. A private room also suits birthdays and farewell parties, because you control the music, the volume and the song list, and nobody has to wait for strangers to finish their turn.

Dubai evenings out: beach bars, sports bars and big matches

For football, cricket or rugby fans, a sports bar is the obvious plan. Many venues across the city show live matches on big screens and serve pub food, so the evening can start with kick-off and end with dinner. On nights with big games, tables are often booked well ahead, so reserve as soon as the fixture is known.

Before the match, or instead of it, a beach bar is a relaxed way to start the night. Many bars along the coast have seating right on the sand, so you can order a drink, sit with your toes in the sand and watch the sun set over the sea before you move on to dinner.

If your group prefers fresh air, an evening desert trip with dinner at a camp is another classic way to spend a night out. Our overview of top Dubai tours explains the different kinds of desert evenings and what to look for when you compare offers.