Barasti is arguably Dubai's most famous nightlife establishment.
The popular beach hangout has been open for decades and is known for its beachside location. It’s also known to attract quite a crowd, especially on weekends.
However, the beach restaurant, which has reopened its doors today, Sunday, May 31, will now be quite different.
Adhering to safety guidelines, only the beach area will be open for now, with the middle deck, pool and bar area remaining closed. (When Barasti first opened decades ago, it was just the beach portion that was open, it has expanded over the years).
The nightlife spot will close at 10.30pm, too, to fit into national sterilisation programme timings.
The sunbeds are open, but on a first-come-first serve basis. Customers are encouraged not to go to the bar, but to wait to be served.
Big gatherings are also discouraged, with groups of five people maximum allowed to mingle.
In keeping with standard practices, the restaurant is also asking customers to maintain social distancing guidelines and keep a two-metre distance from others. Masks are also necessary, but can be taken off if one is eating, on the sunbed or swimming.
It is a new way of operating, which we are taking very seriously and will continue to do so going forward as we all face the 'new normal
"We are beyond excited to be opening up Barasti Beach again, we can't wait to welcome both familiar and new faces. Barasti is the heartbeat of our complex and I can't wait to see people enjoying themselves here again," says Tolga Lacin, general manager, Barasti, Westin and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi.
"We are of course being extremely careful with safety measures and following all the directives from UAE Government. The safety of both our guests and our staff is the most important to us. It is a new way of operating, which we are taking very seriously and will continue to do so going forward as we all face the ‘new normal."
In order to explain the new guidelines in an easy-breezy Barasti way, the restaurant has created Barasti Bill, a stick figure that demonstrates what is and what is not allowed at the location right now.
As the posts, shared on the restaurant’s social media specify, Barasti Bill is patient, doesn’t complain and protects himself and everyone around. Scroll through the post below for more:
Barasti is open from 9am to 10.30pm. Entry is free and reservations are not needed. Those under the age of 21 are not allowed.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The%20trailblazers
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Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Company%20Profile
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
