Dubai is set to welcome a never-before-seen concept in the Middle East, as Salmon Guru opens its doors to the public. Night-owls, cocktailians and foodies around the region are in for an Instagram bar feast. Named to express the ability of going upstream and against the flow;  Salmon Guru is a notion that celebrates the rebellious mantra of the salmon. The most amusing part? They do not serve salmon!

UAE based F&B venture Elements Hospitality, launched by Jad Aboujaoude & Farah George Farah, partnered with the Salmon Guru team to bring the quirky concept to Dubai. “We are so excited to bring the Salmon Guru brand to life in the Middle East. It’s been so much fun working with Diego Cabrera and his team to make this happen. We are  huge fans of Diego’s fun approach to cocktails. What he has done for the bar scene is really special and we are delighted to help bring Salmon Guru to the UAE audience. We are super excited to  open the doors for everyone here”. 

The man behind Salmon Guru’s creativity and design is the legendary bar industry figurehead, Diego Cabrera. His vision is to bring his fun and intimate-yet-casual European experience to Dubai.  In 2016  he opened Salmon Guru Madrid and was awarded the best opening of the year in Spain. Last year Salmon Guru Madrid was voted #24 on the World’s 50 Best Bars and won the Michter’s  Art of Hospitality award.

Inspired by the original Salmon Guru in Madrid, Diego Cabrera has personally designed this venue and put all of his creativity and experience into his first project outside of Spain. He commented on his first UAE  opening;  “Salmon Guru is, to put it simply,  a fun, elevated and very different bar expression! We like to go against the grain and opening Salmon Guru in the Middle East is certainly an “out there” move for us. Nobody was expecting it. Now is the right time to share our unique cocktail bar vision with everyone in Dubai.”  Diego has handpicked and trained his team to ensure that the quality and standard of service truly replicates the drinks caliber, world class service and atmosphere found in Madrid. It is a five star drinks service married to bubblegum neon energy.

Guests can immerse themselves in the unique drinks execution by sitting in or behind the detailed open bar stations. One thing is for sure, all at Salmon Guru may feel as though they are taken on a fantastical journey. From start to end, lounge lizards can expect exotic cocktails created right before their eyes with a variety of balanced batches and sophisticated concoctions.

The venue itself, while intimate, combines three distinct vibes. There is a 60’s Tropical Speakeasy section, an Asian Night Market, and a Comic Book themed area.

Sitting in the 60s-inspired Tropical section is where guests can tune into the eclectic upbeat tunes and marvel at the skilled and engaging bartenders. The ‘Asian Night’ area is a market-inspired space that has an exclusive feel, tucked away into the back of the bar for some privacy if needed. Lastly, tapping into everyone’s childhood there is a vibrant comic book feel also that is brought to life with popping neons and retro comic art. Oh, and there is a terrace for those looking for some open air. In short – the venue is set to appeal to a carefree evening that is garnished with plenty of escapism.

The witty and vibrant venue screams, ‘Instagrammable’. Guests will be unable to resist getting their phones out to take a selfie with the skilled bartenders, to capture the bright lanterns or outlandish cocktails. Things are done differently at Salmon Guru and the attention is in the details. This is a place to inspire intimacy among guests that promises a vibrant and friendly European style cocktail experience that lasts long into the night and lasts even longer in the memory.

On the drinks menu, guests will find surreal and finely balanced signature drinks complete with custom glassware that resemble tree frogs, glow-in-the-dark lotus flowers and anthropomorphised fish. Cabrera has specially curated the Dubai menu and introduced a new signature cocktail only available exclusively in the Middle East. This menu will serve the original signatures that are found on the Madrid list too.

The Dubai cocktail menu ticks the box for every kind of thirst covering the sweet, sour, strong and downright crazy. Drinks aside, Salmon Guru has a wonderfully curated bites selection as well. And no –  They don’t serve any salmon!!!

Located at The Opus by OMNIYAT designed by Zaha Hadid, in Business Bay, guests can experience a cocktail revolution that is called Salmon Guru, open May 28th, 2022 onwards. Bookings are advised.