Let's get one thing clear right off the bat: Noire's haunted dine-in-the-dark experience is not for everyone. If you scare easy, can't deal with strobe lights or feel claustrophobic in the pitch-black, then it's not for you. But, if you actually enjoy a fright fest, love horror movies and / or are feeling brave, then this month's 90-minute Halloween-themed culinary event is definitely worth trying out.
The evening comes with a backstory. It's themed around a tale about a haunted hospital for the visually impaired that once sat on the Fairmont Dubai's grounds, where Noire is located. "According to local legend, patients started disappearing mysteriously at the hospital some 55 years ago, eventually forcing its closure," stated the official announcement for the event.
“Among them, a young dark-haired woman, dressed in white, who can every now and then be seen wandering around the floors of the hotel …”
Without giving too much away, the night’s shenanigans all start from the moment you step into the elevator. The voice of a young girl informs you that, basically, there’s no turning back and you’re making a very grave error by wandering into her lair. Obviously you have no choice except to go along with it by that point, but it’s all good fun.
It's not long before you come face-to-face with the aforementioned young woman who walks around (or gets transported in a wheelchair) wearing an ankle-length white smock with her long dark hair obscuring her face. She's creepy. Very creepy. If you've seen The Ring, you'll get the picture.
Before you head in to the completely dark dining room, there’s a short period of time when you get to mingle with your fellow brave diners. Under dim lighting, you can all chat and sip on the welcome drinks that have been presented in blood bags, as you steel yourself for what’s to come. Soon enough, the “head nurse” introduces guests to the concept, then, one by one, you’re guided to your seats, as you hang on to his shoulders.
I don't want to spoil it for you, so I won't go into too much detail about the rest of the evening. Let's just say my senses were heightened. All you can see in the dining room are the small dots of light emanating from the wait staff's night vision goggles as they move about the room.
At least that way you know when someone is approaching your table, whether to serve or scare you. Other than that, you haven’t got a clue what’s about to happen and what anything around you looks like (you can have a feel, if you’re brave enough to extend your arms out into the ether). Every sound, smell and sensation becomes more important to you than it’s ever been before.
While I wait for everyone to be seated, and our first course to be served, I make a point of talking loudly to my partner. We chat about mundane things – what we’re doing this weekend, how our day was – to distract us from the surreal and scary situation we’ve put ourselves in. We’re nervous and apprehensive, but at the same time, it’s all pretty hilarious. If only we could get a video of it all later, we agree.
That's the experience, but what about the food? The Noire kitchen staff change their menu every month, so you're not supposed to know what's on your plate. It's worth mentioning they also cater to dietary requirements (so if you're vegan or have an allergy, for example, just inform them beforehand). Let me tell you – dining in the dark is no easy feat. It's actually a very confusing experience.
The chef has concocted a meal that sets out to confuse you from the start
You need to push your fork around in the hopes of discovering some kind of resistance, then scoop up what you can (I definitely put an empty utensil into my mouth numerous times). As for discerning the flavours – some people are good at this, I am not. I recognised them, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what they were. But, that’s the point – the chef has concocted a meal that sets out to confuse you from the start.
Once it’s all over, you’re led out the way you come in, with a couple of frights along the way, and you’re introduced to the “ch(i)ef surgeon”, or the head chef, who shows you what you’ve been munching on. There were surprised expressions across the board. It seems I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t quite grasp what the ingredients were.
Ultimately, it’s an experience that’s fun, hilarious, scary, weird and enjoyable all rolled into one. I haven’t been to the regular dine-in-the-dark experience, so I can’t compare it, but I must say the horror theme is done well. While I wouldn’t say it is food worthy of awards, it’s definitely a good night out to enjoy with friends and loved ones that’ll have you discussing it for days to come.
Until Thursday, October 31, Monday to Saturday, from 7.30pm, from Dh360 for food and soft drinks, 04 311 8316, dbifbconcierge@fairmont.com
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
The biog
Hobbies: Writing and running
Favourite sport: beach volleyball
Favourite holiday destinations: Turkey and Puerto Rico
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
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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
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
