A huge new beach club is set to open its doors at Dubai's JBR on Thursday, offering sun-seekers one of the best views in the city.
Located directly across from Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai, Bla Bla will offer a chic and laidback vibe, with in-water sun loungers, cabanas and regular live DJs.
But Bla Bla is more than just a beach club. The huge space, which will open in two phases, is home to 20 bars and three restaurants.
The first 10 bars, along with the beach club and the three restaurants, will open on Thursday, with the final 10 bars set to launch later in January.
The venue has been designed to suit all tastes and budgets, with each bar and restaurant following its own distinct concept. From a New York-themed bar covered in graffiti – complete with a slide leading to the bathroom – to an Irish pub and a Vinyl Bar, every corner of the 9,200-square-metre venue offers something different.
The central Terrace Bar allows guests to take in the venue's impressive views, while the Hollywood Bar has a more exclusive feel. Fans of outside-of-the-box creations should also be sure to check out the Maximalist Bar. Then there's the beach bar and pool bar, for a more laidback feel.
The three restaurants will serve Italian, Japanese and Texas barbecue food, respectively, with all food being overseen by chef Mohammad Islam, who developed his career in the kitchens of numerous prestigious restaurants, including The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago.
The beach club will act as a day-to-night venue, offering a weekly ladies' day and hosting regular live entertainment.
The remaining bars will open in phase two in the coming weeks and will be housed in a 2,000-square-metre complex, with double-height ceilings and 10 bars, all with different themes and styles.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
